The Institute’s student programs are open to all students, faculty, and UC Berkeley staff. Please expand the columns below to view our previous student events.
Wednesday, November 16, 4:30-5:30pm
Social Change Opportunities in Israel: Panel with Alumni of the Berkeley Global Internship Program in Haifa
Myron Benn, Edwin Orosco, and Shor Masori, ‘23 Student Alumni of the Berkeley Global Internship Program in Haifa
Monday, November 7 | 5-7pm
Religious Pluralism and Practice in Israel
Muhammad Mudi al-Atawneh, Fall 2022 Israel Institute Visiting Professor, UC Berkeley; Department of Anthropology and Sociology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev and Jackie Feldman, 2022–2023 Israel Institute Visiting Professor, UC Berkeley; Department of Middle East Studies, Ben Gurion University of the Negev
Thursday, September 22 | 12:30-2 PM
Student Lunch with Yossi Shain
Students met for a lunch-time conversation with Yossi Shain, Romulo Betancourt Professor of Political Science at Tel Aviv University
Tuesday, April 26, 2022 | 11:00 – 12:30PM
Bodies of Empathy
This talk joins a larger cultural discussion exploring the role of empathy in dance while offering a perspective from the Israeli dance scene. This discussion will be asking a variety of questions: How can choreography practice and inspire empathy and care? How is performance conducted with socially engaged values? In what ways do choreographers think about dance as a participatory human event approaching questions of social inclusion and exclusion? Can dance be perceived as an ethical activity, and how can it inform and foster intercultural encounters?
Featuring: Yasmeen Godder; Dr. Einav Katan Schmid, Head of the School of Dance, Kibbutzim College of Education, Technology and Arts; Sharon Fridman; Prof SanSan Kwan, UC Berkeley, TDPS
Moderated and curated by Professor Yael (Yali) Nativ
Monday, March 16, 2022 | 12:45 – 2:00PM
Student- Centered Conversation about the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
George Breslauer, Rebecca Golbert, and David Kurvoskiy will bring different disciplinary lenses to bear on the current crisis in Ukraine and its political, historical, cultural and linguistic contexts.
George Breslauer: Professor Emeritus of the Graduate School in the Department of Political Science, former Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost of UC Berkeley
Rebecca Golbert: Executive Director of the Helen Diller Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies at Berkeley Law
David Kurkovskiy: PhD candidate in Slavic and Jewish Studies
Monday, March 14, 2022 | 12:30 – 2:00PM
Israeli Community Action: Living Through the War of Independence
When the 1948 Israeli War of Independence broke out, population centers were rocked by sniper fire, bombings and roadside ambushes. As the fighting moved out of the cities into desert areas, private citizens and community organizations that were left behind gathered to revitalize and restore life in their devastated communities. In Israeli Community Action, Paula Kabalo presents a vivid portrait of these civilians who strove to help each other cope with the realities of war.
Paula Kabalo: Helen Diller Institute Visiting Professor; Professor of History, Head of the Azrieli Center for Israel Studies at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Berkeley Law, 297 Goldberg Room
Friday, March 11, 2022 | 9:30AM – 1:30PM
Exploring New Models of Criminal Courts
Research Workshop
This research workshop seeks to explore and evaluate this intriguing phenomenon– the emergence of “new criminal courts” and alternatives. Focusing on four examples– virtual courts, technology-driven courts, community courts and private alternatives to the criminal courts, the workshop participants will probe deeper into these new ways of conflict resolution making and examine how these new judicial institutions and alternatives challenge the ways we understand the role and function of courts in the criminal sphere.
Featuring: Hadar Dancig-Rosenburg, Helen Diller Institute Visiting Professor of Berkeley Law and Professor of law at Bar-Ilan University; Rebecca Wexler, Assistant Professor of Law and Co-Director at the Berkeley Center for Law and Technology, Berkeley Law; Andrea Roth, Professor of Law at Berkeley Law; Malcolm Feeley, Claire Sanders Clements Dean’s Professor of Law at Berkeley Law; Hadar Aviram, Professor of Law at UC Hastings Law
Tuesday, March 1, 2022 | 12:40 – 2PM
Gender, Religion, and the Military in Israel
Session 4 of the Virtual Lunchtime Series: Civil Society and Plurality in Israel
Elisheva Rosman-Stollman will join in conversation with Ronit Stahl to discuss her work on religion and gender in the Israeli military, including questions of gender equality, religious accommodation, and the legitimation of religious female soldiers.
Elisheva Rosman-Stollman: Associate Professor of Political Science at Bar-Ilan University
Ronit Stahl: Associate Professor of History at UC Berkeley
Tuesday, February 22, 2022 | 5:30 – 7:00 PM
Reimagining Diversity and Jewish Belonging: A Journey Through Genesis
Robbins Collection Lecture in Jewish Law, Thought and Identity
In the U.S. American context, the dominant conception of Jewish identity does not fully reckon with the diversity that exists within the Jewish people. This talk, led by Amanda Beckenstein Mbuvi, will explore that gap in conversation with the book of Genesis, highlighting the book’s potential to inform a journey to reimagining Jewish belonging in more inclusive ways.
Amanda Beckenstein Mbuvi: Vice President of Academic Affairs at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, scholar of the Hebrew Bible and author of Belonging in Genesis: Biblical Israel and the Politics of Identity Formation (2016)
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Controversial Issues in Citizenship Education: Insights from Israel
Virtual Half Day Symposium: 9AM – 12:45 PM
Student Workshop: 2PM – 3:30PM
This event provided an opportunity to learn from leading scholars in law and education on the extreme challenges of discussing controversial issues that have led to increased research and policies of many countries around the world– including Israel and the United States– on the possible purposes, pedagogies, and products of citizenship education
Featuring: Diana Hess, Karen A. Falk Distinguished Chair of Education and Dean of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; Chris Edley, Distinguished Professor of Law, Former Dean of Berkeley Law, and Interim Dean of the Graduate School of Education at UC Berkeley; Hanan Alexander, Professor of Philosophy of Education, Immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Education of the University of Haifa, and the Koret Visiting Professor of Israel Studies at UC Berkeley
Symposium Panel also included: Masua Sagiv, Koret Visiting Assistant Professor of Jewish and Israel Studies at UC Berkeley, Scholar in Residence at the Shalom Hartman Institute and Menomadin Center at the Bar-Ilan University Faculty of Law; Adar Cohen, Academic Director of the Teacher Education Program at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Visiting Scholar at UC Davis; Ayman Agbaria, Sr. Lecturer in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Haida, Faculty member at the Mandel School for Educational Leadership
Tuesday, February 15, 2022 | 12:30 – 2:00PM
Why Do People Discriminate Against the Jews?
Professor Jonathan Fox provides a data-rich analysis of the causes of discrimination against Jews across the globe (based on a book co-authored with Lev Topor). Using the tools of comparative political science, Fox and Topor examine the causes of both government-based and societal discrimination against Jews in 76 countries. The most rigorous adn geographically wide-ranging analysis of discrimination against Jews to date, their book reshapes our understanding of the persecution of religious minorities in general and the Jewish people in particular.
Jonathan Fox: Yehuda Avner Professor of Religion and Politics at Bar-Ilan University, the Director of the Religion and State (RAS) Project, and a Senior Research Fellow at Bar-Ilan’s Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies
295 Berkeley Law
Monday, February 14, 2022 | 12:30 – 2:00PM
Religious Discrimination, Diaspora, and the United Nations Voting on Israel
Based on an article in Foreign Policy Analysis co-authored with Tatyana Haykin and Nikola Mirilovic, this study by Professor Jonathan Fox examines whether discrimination against religious minorities and diaspora politics influences UN General Assembly (UNGA) voting on Israel and the Israeli- Palestinian conflict between 1990-2014.
Jonathan Fox: Yehuda Avner Professor of Religion and Politics at Bar-Ilan University, the Director of the Religion and State (RAS) Project, and a Senior Research Fellow at Bar-Ilan’s Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies
Berkeley Law, 295 Warren Room
Tuesday, February 1, 2022 | 12:40 – 2PM
Sex Segregation in Israel: Between Gender, Law, and Religion
Session 3 of the Virtual Lunchtime Series: Civil Society and Plurality in Israel
Yofi Tirosh joins Michael Helfand in conversation to discuss her work on issues of sex segregation in Israeli society, including in academia, and the appropriate balance between religious accommodation and sex equality.
Yofi Tirosh: Associate professor of Tel Aviv University and Buchmann Faculty of Law; Former dean of Sapir Academic College School of Law
Michael Helfand: the Vice Dean for Faculty and Research and Professor of Law at Pepperdine University School of Law
Monday, November 15th, 2021
Russia in the Middle East: Strategies, Tactics, and implications for U.S. Policy
A conversation with Anna Borshchevskaya, Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, for a conversation on foreign relations among Russia and the Middle East, and the U.S.
Room 295, Berkeley Law School
5:00pm – 6:30 pm
Monday, April 19, 2021
Exploring the Boundaries of Anti-Semitism: A Conversation with Journalist Batya Ungar-Sargon
Batya Ungar-Sargon, the Deputy Opinion Editor of Newsweek and former Opinion Editor at The Forward.
A discussion with Journalist Batya Ungar-Sargon, who speaks about the definitions and boundaries of antisemitism, the role that context plays, antisemitism on campus, and more.
Friday, March 19, 2021
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE SYSTEM FAILS? The Case of Israel and Greece
Dr. Roy Peled, Israel Institute Visiting Scholar, UC Berkeley School of Law; Administrative and Constitutional Law Professor, Haim Striks School of Law, College of Management
Dr. Ioannis N. Grigoriadis,
Dr. Roy Peled and Dr. Ioannis N. Grigoriadis join in conversation for a comparative discussion of Israeli and Greek elections and electoral systems. They discuss the transition from old political lines to new ones, public confidence in electoral systems, and the impact of corruption.
Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Latin and Jewish Film Series: Conversation on “Esclavo de Dios”
Prof. Adriana M. Brodsky,
Director Joel Novoa,
Centered around the film and the historical context surrounding the A.M.I.A. bombing, our event’s goal is to spark a conversation between Professor Adriana M. Brodsky and Director Joel Novoa about how the film illustrated the tensions that lead up to the bombing and its connection to the experience of Jews in Argentina at that time.
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution in Israel
Israel is currently leading the world in per-capita COVID vaccine distribution—over one fourth of the population has already received a vaccine. However, there is still much that remains unknown. This event provides an opportunity to learn more about the Israel’s COVID-19 vaccination plan, and discuss the challenges that may lie ahead, such as new variants, access to care, and the potential impacts of Israel’s upcoming election.
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
The Role of Hope in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Dr. Oded Adomi Leshem, Political Psychologist from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Dr. Oded Adomi Leshem speaks about his research around the pivotal role that hope and hopelessness play in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Leshem will be sharing the findings of The Hope Map Project, which he spearheaded along with Palestinian researcher Obada Shtaya in 2017.
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Student Conversation: “Where do we go from here?” David Horovitz on the 2020 Elections in the US and Israel
David Horovitz, the Founding editor of the The Times of Israel
An intimate conversation with David Horovitz sharing a perspective on the 2020 elections, Israel/US relations, and the current political moment from his vantage point as the founder and editor at Israel’s leading English Language newspaper.
Monday, November 16, 2020
The Forgotten Jews of South America: A Conversation with film director Gabriela Böhm
An interview and discussion with Gabriela Böhm, the director of The Longing, a film about a small group of South Americans who long to affirm their faith. Their ancestors were forced to convert during the Spanish Inquisition and now, isolated in Catholic countries, they battle to become Jews regardless of the consequences.
Böhm discusses her documentary film on the topic of crypto-jews during the Spanish Inquisition in the 15th and 16th century and the research that went into the film’s creation with moderator, Analucia Lopezreverado.
Gabriela Böhm, Documentary Filmmaker; Founder of Böhm Productions
Moderator: Analucia Lopezreverado, Founder and Executive Director, Jewtina y Co
Thursday, November 12, 2020
Mizrahi Identity in the US
Featuring: Hadar Cohen, Multimedia Feminist Artist, Dancer, and Artist; Tamar Zaken, Chief Program Officer, HaMaqom, Former Director of Programs; Rabbi Daniel Bouskila, Director, Sephardic Educational Centers
Moderators: Maya Shemtov and Ben Diwan
Click here to view a recording of the event!
Wednesday, October 16, 2020
Diversity Training: How to Build Inclusive Spaces
Facilitators: Shekhinyah Larks, Program Coordinator and Diversity Trainer, Be’chol Lashon, and Bezawit Abebe
Workshop on how to talk about race, ethnicity and identity while engaging in Jewish and Israel-related programming (limited capacity).
Thursday, October 8, 2020
Comparative Election Law: Israel and the US
Speakers: Roy Peled, Koret Visiting Professor in Israel Studies
Jay Footlik, Special Assistant to President Clinton in the White House
A comparative view on Israeli and US election law as we conclude a year in which Israel had not one, but 3 election cycles, and the US approaches it’s Nov. 3 presidential elections. The event will compare the legal context in each country, and provide an analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of each case. Some topics that will be touched upon include procedural fairness, inclusion (universal suffrage) and equality (in funding and other means between the contestants).
Click here to view a recording of the event!
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Racial Justice, Jews of Color, Jewish Community: A Talk With Ilana Kaufman
Ilana Kaufman, Executive Director, Jews of Color Initiative
Ilana Kaufman discusses her work which sits at the center of Jewish Community, Racial Equity, and Justice is anchored by the voices and experience of Jews of Color and is focused on grantmaking, research and field building, and community education.
Thursday, September 10, 2020
Black Power, Jewish Politics: Reinventing the Alliance in the 1960s
Speaker: Marc Dollinger, Jewish Studies Professor, SFSU; Author, Black Power, Jewish Politics: Reinventing the Alliance in the 1960s and Quest for Inclusion: Jews and Liberalism in Modern America
Marc Dollinger joins us to share the story of Black and Jewish relations from the Civil Rights Era alliances to Black Lives Matter today. Undermining widely held beliefs about Black-Jewish relations, Dollinger describes a new political consensus, based on identity politics, that drew Blacks and Jews together and altered the course of American liberalism and discusses the challenges that remain today.
Monday, March 2, 2020
Israeli Elections: Third Time’s a Charm?
Roy Peled, the Israel Institute Visiting Professor at UC Berkeley for 2019-2020.
As votes roll in, join the Berkeley Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies for live updates and analysis of the results. Who is winning? What does that mean? What is still left up to chance?
297 Berkeley Law School
11:30am – 1:00 pm
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
The Deal of The Century: A Legal Analysis of Trump’s Latest Plan
Amnon Reichman, Robbins Collection Visiting Professor in Comparative Law & Professor of Law at the University of Haifa
In January 2020, President Donald Trump finally released his plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace. The plan has been 3 years in the making and since it’s release, has sparked a wide array of strong reactions. Join us for a deep dive into the legal landscape surrounding this plan with Berkeley Law Visiting Professor Amnon Reichman. We’ll discuss past Israeli/Palestinian peace negotiations, the current legal regime in the area, and the options that lie ahead.
297 Berkeley Law School
5:00pm – 6:30 pm
Monday, February 3, 2020
From Ethiopia to Israel – My Story
Prof. Rabbi Sharon Shalom, scholar of Ethiopian Jewish law, culture, and practice. He is the Chair of the International Center for the Study of Ethiopian Jewry at Ono Academic College and a Professor at Bar-Ilan University.
The Jewish Ethiopian Community, ‘Beta Israel,’ lived in Ethiopia for thousands of years. They experienced a long history of famine, religious oppression, and civil war. In the 20th century, tens of thousands immigrated to Israel. They faced a harrowing journey, many traveling on foot for up to 2 months from Ethiopia to Sudan, spending years in refugee camps, and experienced additional challenges once they did cross the border into Israel. Prof. Rabbi Shalom immigrated alone at 8 years old, certain that his parents were dead, and lived as an orphan at a children’s home in Afula. He joins us to share his personal journey, and the experiences he has had since then as an immigrant in Israeli society.
Goldberg Room, 297 Berkeley Law School
5:30pm – 7:00 pm
Friday, November 25, 2019
Leaders, Secrets, + Politics in Israel
A Conversation with Journalist + Historian Tom Segev
Unlike many writers who have accepted the official historical record as the foundation for their work, Segev’s work often questions some of the leading assumptions of Israel’s official history. He has often drawn on untapped archives, personal diaries, and declassified documents to explore or deconstruct the complexities of Israeli internal and international politics. Join us for a conversation with Segev as he explores Israel’s leaders, shares uncovered secrets, and explores the history of Israeli politics.
Berkeley Law – Room 12
12:30pm-2:00pm
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Antisemitism and Technology Panel
Join us for a discussion on technology and hate speech- we will address such topics as the definition of hate speech, ways in which technology enables the spread of hate speech online, whose responsibility it is to regulate hate and misinformation, and how technology can be leverage to mitigate hate speech in our decidedly digital culture. The speakers will address the specific case of Antisemitism online as a lens through which to examine this issue and describe their work here in the Bay Area and on campus on the topic.
Claudia von Vacano, the Executive Director of UC Berkeley’s D-Lab and the Digital Humanities.
Moderator: Ken Bamberger, The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation Professor of Law; Faculty co-Director, Berkeley Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies; Faculty co-Director, Berkeley Center for Law and Technology.
Berkeley Law – Room 140
12:30 – 2:00 pm
Friday, November 8, 2019
Israeli’s Technology Economy
Over the past three decades, Israel has emerged as one of the world’s leading centers of high tech. In his book, David charts the rise of the Israeli start-up sector under such seemingly unpromising conditions and analyzes its impact on Israeli society and the wider economy. He shows how Israel’s unique history and culture enabled the rise f the global technology powerhouse but failed to create a diverse, inclusive and equitable society.
David Rosenberg has reported on Israeli economics and politics for close to three decades for Bloomberg, The Jerusalem Post, and Reuters. He is also author of Cloning Silicon Valley.
Speaker: David Rosenberg: Business Editor, Haaretz; Former Reporter, Bloomberg News.
Berkeley Law – Room 145
12:30pm – 2:00pm
Thursday, November 7, 2019
Fall Series Part 3: Israeli Elections – Where are We in Forming a New Government?
Join the Berkeley Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies to discuss the aftermath of the second Israeli elections. We will explore how various pressing issues facing Israel today will be impacted by the election results, and discuss where Israel is in the process of forming a new government. *Dinner will be provided.
Moderator: Tomer Persico: Koret Visiting Assistant Professor of Jewish and Israel Studies, UC Berkeley; Scholar-in-Residence, Shalom Hartman Institute.
Featuring: Roy Peled: Israel Institute Visiting Scholar, UC Berkeley School of Law; Administrative and Constitutional Law Professor, Haim Striks School of Law, College of Management. David Rosenberg: Columnist and economics editor for Haaretz; former Israel bureau chief for Bloomberg News. Anat Balint: Israel Institute Visiting Scholar, School of Journalism, SJSU; former media correspondent, Haaretz.
Room 12, Berkeley Law School
6:00pm – 7:45 pm
Thursday, September 17th, 2019
Fall Series Part 2: Israeli Elections – Election Day!
As votes roll in, join us for live updates and analysis of the results. Who is winning? What does that mean? What is still left up to chance?
Featuring: Tomer Persico, Koret Visiting Assistant Professor of Jewish and Israel Studies, UC Berkeley; Scholar-in-Residence, Shalom Hartman Institute and Roy Peled, Israel Institute Visiting Professor, UC Berkeley School of Law; Constitutional Law Professor, Haim Striks School of Law, College of Management
Goldberg Room, Berkeley Law School
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Thursday, September 12, 2019
Fall Series Part 1: Israeli Elections – Understanding the September Ballot
Join us in anticipation of the 9/17 elections to learn more about the candidates, the issues, and the current climate Israelis are facing as they go to the polls.
Featuring: Tomer Persico, Koret Visiting Assistant Professor of Jewish and Israel Studies, UC Berkeley; Scholar-in-Residence, Shalom Hartman Institute and Roy Peled, Israel Institute Visiting Professor, UC Berkeley School of Law; Constitutional Law Professor, Haim Striks School of Law, College of Management
Room 115, Berkeley Law School
6:30pm – 8:00 pm
Thursday, April 11, 2019
The Elections & The Fate of Israel
Join the Berkeley Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies to discuss the aftermath of the Israeli Elections with Professors Eran Kaplan and Anat Balint on April 11, between 6 and 8pm. We will explore how various pressing issues facing Israel today will be impacted by the election results.
Room 115, Berkeley Law School
6:00pm – 8:00 pm
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Jewish Identities in Israel: Confrontations, Crises and Novel Conceptions
Tomer Persisco, Koret Visiting Professor of Jewish and Israel Studies
Over the past three decades the Israeli society witnessed significant revisions in the way it understands itself and its Jewish identity. The collapse of the peace process, the “disengagement” from Gaza and the growing emphasis on self fulfillment have changed social structures that were taken for granted in the past, and have propelled each of the different Jewish “tribes” in Israel – the Secular Zionist, the Religious-Zionist and the Ultra-Orthodox – into an identity crises. We will examine the manifestation of and the reasons for these developments, and present two opposing but complementary frameworks for self-understanding that are defining Jewish identity in Israel anew.
Morrison Library
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Israeli Law and Society: Judicial Reflections
Daphne Barak-Erez, Israeli Supreme Court Justice Daphne Barak-Erez will speak about pressing constitutional questions in Israeli society.
100 Law Building Berkeley Law
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
Law, Religion and State
Come join us for a presentation about the complexities of religion and state in Israel. How does religion affect public policy and the law? How does freedom of religion work? Come hear Amnon Reichman, a scholar of comparative law, and Tomer Persico, a scholar of comparative religion, discuss these and other questions from their differing perspectives and approaches.
Goldberg Room, Berkeley Law
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Thursday, February 21, 2019
Robbins Collection Annual Lecture – Judaism and the #MeToo Movement: A Feminist Perspective
Rachel Adler, Rabbi David Ellenson Professor of Jewish Religious Thought, Professor of Modern Jewish Thought and Feminist Studies at HUC-JIR/Los Angeles (Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion)
#MeToo has produced a flood of women’s testimony about a range of sexual aggressions that halakhah addresses inadequately or not at all. What would have to change for halakhah to offer a model of gender justice?
Room 100, Berkeley Law
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Allison Kaplan Sommer, Student Debrief of Midterm Elections
Come join Haaretz Journalist Allison Kaplan Sommer for a lively discussion, debriefing the mid-term elections over dinner. How do the elections and their results impact American Jews? How do they affect U.S.-Israel relations going forward?
Room 141, Berkeley Law
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Thursday, April 5, 2018
Film Screening: In Search of Israeli Cuisine
Hosted by the Exploring Jewish Food Decal and The Berkeley Institute for Jewish Law and Israeli Studies, we bring you a film screening of “In search of Israeli Cuisine.” This captivating film explores the surprising culinary revolution taking place in Israel – a country so frequently associated with political drama rather than delectable eats. In just thirty short years, Israel has transformed from a country with no unique foods to call its own into a country filled with delicious treats at every corner and an abundance of world-renowned chefs and fine foods.
Room 170, Berkeley Law Building
6:30pm – 8:30 pm
Thursday, February 22, 2018
A Student Conversation with Ambassador Dennis Ross
In the first year of his administration, President Trump has met with key Middle East leaders, imposed additional sanctions on Iranian officials, set a new tone for the U.S. role at the UN, and, most recently, made the unprecedented decision to move the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. How do these tactical moves affect the U.S. – Israel relationship and what else may be in store for American policy toward Israel and her neighbors this coming year?
Join us for an intimate conversation (students only) with Ambassador Dennis Ross at 7pm.
132 Law Building Berkeley Law
7:00pm – 9:00 pm
Tuesday, October 17, 2017
Student Conversation on the Kotel Agreement with Donniel Hartman
Student discussion on the Kotel Agreement and Religious Pluralism with Shalom Hartman Institute President, Donniel Hartman. The government of Israel’s decision to renege on it agreement to expand the Kotel area to include an equal space for Liberal Jewish worship has been met with silence in Israel, on the one hand, and widespread condemnation amongst world Jewry, on the other. This disparity is fueling a deep schism in the heart of the Jewish people with potentially far reaching consequences. What ought to be the relationship between State and Religion in Israel? What are Israel’s responsibilities towards world Jewry? What rights do world Jewry have in making demands upon Israel?
136 Law Building Berkeley Law
4:00pm – 5:15 pm
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Shalem Student Delegation
Join The Berkeley Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies and meet students from Israel’s first liberal arts college, Shalem College, for a dialogue on Jewish identity, Israel, and university life.
12:15 – 1:15 Lecture by Prof. Ron Hassner (the lecture will be in Hebrew but the discussion will be in English)
1:15 – 2:15 Kosher Lunch and Group Discussion with Shalem College Students
Room 10, Berkeley Law
12:15 pm – 2:15 pm
Monday, February 13, 2017
Film Screening: “On the Banks of the Tigris,” with Yair Dalal
Moderated by Prof. Ben Brinner
6 PM Reception, 6:30 Screening
Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life
2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Film screening: “A Borrowed Identity” with author Sayed Kashua
6 PM Reception, 6:30 Screening
Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life
2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA
Monday, February 27, 2017
Film screening: “East Jerusalem/West Jerusalem” and conversation/performance with musicians David Broza and Ali Paris
6 PM Reception, 6:30 Screening
Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life
2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Film Screening: “Wedding Doll” and conversation with filmmaker Nitzan Gilady
6 PM Reception, 6:30 Screening
Magnes Collection of Jewish Art and Life
2121 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA
April 5-7
“Israeli Artists in Conversation with Israel” International Conference on Israeli art and society
Time and location to be announced.
More Spring Events to be announced. Please email our Student Outreach Coordinator Hana at hrothstein@berkeley.edu for more information or to learn how you can get involved with the Berkeley Institute!
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Welcome Back Event
Meet and greet event for new students and faculty, introducing the Berkeley Institute
5:30 PM in the Warren Room, 295 Law Building
A REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK:
The Pitfalls and Rewards of Writing about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Thursday, April 21st
Stanford Lecturer and Journalist joined us to discuss her experiences reporting in Israel and in the Middle East.
Warren Room, 295 Law Building
5:00 PM
Hi-Tech Hubs: Silicon Wadi & Silicon Valley
Wednesday, April 6th, 2016
What are the differences, similarities and challenges of two of the world’s most vibrant tech hubs? hear from our cutting-edge guest speakers who will share their insights and experiences from different perspectives.
Bruce Taragin, Blumberg Capital, Managing Director
Efrat Turgeman, Silicon Valley Bank, Director
Gal Eschet, MoFo, Head of Israel Desk
Warren Room, 295 Law Building
6:15 PM
Student Series: Snapshots of Immigration Inside Israel and Out
A-WA Live in Concert, Performance at the SFJCC
Tuesday, March 15th, 2016
Join the Institute as we head across the bay to the SFJCC for A-WA’s west coast debut!
email mshemtov@law.berkeley.edu for ticket information
FREE TICKETS for the first 10 students to email!
SFJCC, 3200 California Street, San Francisco, CA
8 PM
More Spring Events to be announced. Please email our Student Outreach Coordinator Maya at mshemtov@law.berkeley.edu for more information or to learn how you can get involved with the Berkeley Institute!
Reporting on the Holy Land: Israel Through the Lens of a Foreign Correspondent
Thursday, March 3rd, 2016
Student Talk with Tim McGirk, former bureau chief and war correspondent for Time Magazine, on his experiences
reporting on Israel and the Middle East.
Morrison Foester Room, 298 Law Building
5-6 PM, dinner provided
RSVP Here
Rape as Torture and the Responsibility to Protect
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2016
Student Talk with John K. Roth, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Claremont McKenna College
Co-sponsored by the Boalt Hall Committee for Human Rights
Lunchtime Lecture with Ambassador Felix Klein
Friday, February 19th, 2016
Join us as we welcome Ambassador Felix Klein, Special Representative of the German Federal Foreign Office for relations with Jewish organizations and Anti-Semitism issues to discuss his experiences with students and faculty over lunch.
In Conversation with Noah Alper: Founder founder of Noah’s Bagels and Bread & Circus
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
The Israel Innovation & Entrepreneurship DeCal is proud to present: Noah Alper, founder of Noah’s Bagels and Bread & Circus, has almost four decades of business experience. He is a serial entrepreneur, whose experience includes concept creation, marketing, retailing, food service and sales management.
The Local Jewish Press & Careers in Journalism: A Conversation with Editor-in-Chief of the Jewish Journal, Rob Eshman
Thursday, February 11th, 2016
Student talk with EIC of the Los Angeles Jewish Journal on working for the Jewish Press and Careers in Journalism
Ethnic and Religious Diversity in Israel: Changes, Inequality and the Quality of Life
Thursday, February 4th, 2016
Public lecture with Calvin Goldscheider, Ungerleider Professor Emeritus of Judaic Studies and Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Brown University
Wednesday, January 27th, 2016
Join us for a free screening for students and faculty of the Israeli film “Manpower” directed by Noam Kaplan. The film is the first part of our student series “Snapshots of Immigration and Asylum Inside Israel and Out”
The Golem of Hollywood: A Conversation with Author Jesse Kellerman
November 17th, 2015Student Conversation with local author Jesse Kellerman to discuss his recent novel, a suspenseful murder-mystery thriller with a Jewish subtext which weaves together old and new and fuses story lines from Genesis, to 16th Century Prague, to modern-day Los Angeles.
Identity Inside Israel and Out: A Conversation Through Movement
November 5, 2015
Public Performance of “De-parts,” a contemporary dance piece that relates to the connection between identity and land.
Joint event with Berkeley Hillel. Cosponsored by Bears for Israel, and the Jewish Student Union
In Conversation with Ari Shavit
October 26, 2015
Conversation with Ari Shavit and Rabbi Adam Naftalin-Kelman, Executive Director of Berkeley Hillel.
Co-Sponsored Event with Berkeley Hillel
Co-Sponsored with Berkeley Hass
October 27
Student lecture with Co-founder of Space IL, Yonatan Winetraub.
Gett : The Trial of Viviane Amsalem
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Film Screening and discussion with Co-Director Shlomi Elkabets and Professor of Law Ori Aronson.
An Environmental and Urban Revolution in an Israeli/Palestinian Water Basin: The Example of the Yarqon/Aluja Basin
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Join us for a discussion with Master Architect Liora Meron to discuss the new master plan as a breakthrough in Israeli/Palestinian cooperation around socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental issues. This is a joint event with the Blum Center and the Berkeley Water Group IdeaLab.
IDENTITY THROUGH ART: A Multicultural Performance featuring Slam Poet and Author Aaron Samuels
Thursday, April 30, 2015
A performance and Q&A with Aaron Samuels, followed by performances by several student groups
See photos here
Reflections on the Israeli Election
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Student Conversation with Janine Zacharia
Student Conversation with Yossi Klein Halevi
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Intimate student conversation with Yossi Klein Halevi at the Berkeley Hillel chapel immediately following the public lecture.
Film Screening: Zero Motivation
Thursday, February 26, 2015 Screening of the Israeli film “Zero Motivation,” followed by a discussion with Professor Shira Offer.
Lecture series: Religion, Law, and State in Israel
Feb. 18, 2015
Michael Karayanni, The Bruce W. Wayne Chair in International Law, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Multicultural Entrapments: The Jurisdiction of the Palestinian-Arab Religious Communities in Israel
Nov. 20, 2014
Stuart Cohen, Professor Emeritus of Political Studies, Bar-Ilan University;Chair of the Department of Government and Politics at Ashkelon Academic College
Judaism in the Israel Defense Force: Bridge or Barrier?
Nov. 5, 2014
Ruth Gavison, Haim H. Cohn Professor Emeritas of Human Rights Law, Hebrew University;Founding President of Metzilah Center for Zionist, Jewish, Liberal, and Humanist Thought
The Jewishness of Israel: Meaning, Justification, Implications
Lecture series: Different Angles on the Middle East Conflict
November 14, 2014
The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict in Regional Context: A Mediator’s Perspective
Peter Bartu, Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies, UC Berkeley; UN Mediator and Negotiator
October 31, 2014
An Environmental Angle
Itay Fishhendler Senior Lecturer of Geography, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
September 30, 2014
A Historical Angle
Yuval Ben-Bassat, Senior Lecturer of History of the Middle East, University of Haifa; Abramson- Israel Institute Visiting Professor
September 19, 2014
A Journalist’s Angle
Sue Fishkoff, Editor of the j., the Jewish news weekly of Northern California