Givat Haviva the leading institute for Arabic learning in Israel

Intensive Arabic Program in Israel

Givat Haviva has been the leading institute for Arabic learning in Israel for over 60 years. As an institute whose overriding goal is to promote equality and acceptance for all ethnicities, nationalities and religions, Givat Haviva understands that language is often the main barrier between people and cultures. In recognition of this reality, we established the Intensive Arabic Semester - an intensive language and cultural immersion program in which our students learn over 500 hour of spoken Arabic over a five month period as well as volunteer on a regular basis in Arab communities. In addition, our students take part in courses on  that deal with Middle East, minority issues and Israel's history and role in the Near East and on the international stage.

Our next semester begins July 14, 2010 and ends on December 15, 2010 while the Winter program starts on January 15 and ends on the 15th of June.

We are now entering the third year of our Intensive Arabic Semester and would be happy to have your students involved in our efforts at peace building through language learning.

Feel free to write me with any queries and/or have a look at our

webpage: http://www.intensivearabicsemester.org

International MA program at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

MAPMES (MA Program in Middle East Studies)

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel

DEADLINE July 15

MAPMES (MA Program in Middle East Studies) was founded in 2003 and has over 150 graduates that come from four continents. Many of them continued to do graduate work here in Ben-Gurion University, or in a variety of PhD programs all over the world. Others are working with NGOs, governments, or as journalists.

The courses include in-depth seminars on the Middle East, taught by the faculty of the Department of Middle East Studies at Ben-Gurion University, a handful of select professors from other departments, and one or two guest lecturers from the United States and Europe. The program does not require previous knowledge. However, students who do not have a background in Middle East studies are required to attend an introductory course. The languages that are taught are Arabic and Hebrew. These are intense classes and are considered very successful.

We organize several study tours in Israel and one outside of Israel. This year the tour is to India, and focuses on its Islamic heritage.

Please visit our web site at: www.bgu.ac.il/mapmes

For more information, our e-mail address is: mapmes@bgu.ac.il

Interfaith Peace-Builders

 was founded in 2001 and became an independent organization in 2006. Interfaith Peace-Builders is not affiliated with any government, political party, or special interest group. It is funded through individual donations and foundations.

Interfaith Peace-Builders fosters a network of informed and active individuals who understand the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the United States’ political, military, and economic role in it. To build and nurture such a network, we lead delegations of people from diverse backgrounds to Israel/Palestine. These delegations emphasize listening to and learning from those immersed in the reality of the conflict, and advancing the work of Israelis and Palestinians committed to nonviolent struggle and peace with justice. We seek to empower delegates to educate their local communities and the media, counter unfair or inaccurate stereotypes, and advocate for a more just US foreign policy that:

• actively promotes civil, political and human rights
• affirms political self-determination for Palestinians and Israelis
• fosters economic and environmental sustainability in the region
• supports a diplomatic resolution to the conflict rather than one imposed by force of arms.

Interfaith Peace-Builders’ Delegation Program presents alternative images of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; images that reach deeper and give a more complete picture. IFPB privileges diverse voices that are not often heard in the United States. Voices of Israelis and Palestinians engaged in nonviolent resistance to an illegal occupation; images of cooperation, of healing, of caring, of hope and possibility. Images such as these help break the paralysis and inform us about the possibilities for a real peace. IFPB’s on-the-ground experience is designed to enrich participants’ understanding of the occupation. Participants on Interfaith Peace-Builders delegations return to North America energized and transformed.

Each IFPB delegation itinerary is unique; however many themes are regular features of our program. A typical delegation will feature meetings with some of the following people and organizations. Links to some organizations are provided below to learn more. Please note: these links are informational only, and do not necessarily constitute the endorsement of Interfaith Peace-Builders.

Interfaith Peace-Builders works hard to keep delegation costs as low as possible. Our commitment to the Palestinian Code of Conduct for Tourism in the Holy Land means that we always pay a fair price for services offered during a delegation. Indeed, there are few programs that offer more for less. Click here to see what makes an IFPB delegation unique.

Ground Fee

The ground fee cost for the 2010 and 2011 delegations is $2100.

This cost includes almost everything for the 13 days of the delegation, including:

• orientation in Washington, DC
• hotel and home stay accommodations
• breakfasts and dinners
• local transportation
• speaker and event fees, including honararia to Palestinian and Israeli presenters
• a professional local guide + two delegations leaders from the US
• basic tips for guide, driver, and hotel staff

The only things on the ground in Israel/Palestine that the delegation ground fee does not cover are: (1) lunches; (2) souvenirs and gifts you wish to buy; and (3) extra tips if you'd like to add to the base tip for driver and guide.

Budget around $10 per day for lunch. Use your own judgment for what you will need for gifts and extras. While we give a group tip to our guide and driver at the end of the journey, we encourage additional tips if you are pleased with their work.

**The price of the Olive Harvest delegation is $100 more ($2200 total) than our other delegations because of the extra transportation and event cost incurred in getting to sites where we can learn more about issues facing olive growers and farmers.

Airfare

The ground fee does not include domestic and international airfare.

Scholarships

Part of the mission of Interfaith Peace-Builders is to send as many people as possible to Israel/Palestine. In keeping with this mission we have a small fund for scholarship matching grants - money that we can contribute to delegate expenses to help with the cost of the delegation. We also have a fundraising packet to help prospective delegates raise money to cover their delegation expenses.

Scholarships: Interfaith Peace-Builders often has limited scholarship money to help with delegation expenses. In granting scholarship money, IFPB prioritizes those who would not otherwise be able to join. We also make scholarship money available to people who diversify our delegations and broaden education and advocacy work in the US. We strive to organize delegations diverse in age, gender, sexual orientation, class, ethnic identity, religious belief, and racial background. Scholarships generally range between $250-$500 per person. To apply, we have a one-page supplement to our regular application.

**Scholarship Opportunity for Summer 2011 Delegations**

Interfaith Peace-Builders is pleased to offer up to TWO $1000 Scholarships for students and young adults (ages 18-30) towards the ground fee of our May or July 2011 delegations.

Galiliee Institute: How is the Sunni-Shia Tension Connected to the Israeli – Palestinian Conflict?

“Chairman of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, has asserted that Iran gave Hamas $250 million in 2009 for refusing an Egyptian-arranged reconciliation accord with them. Mr. Abbas said Hamas could receive up to $500 million a year from the mullah regime in Teheran".
http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2010/me_hamas0005_01_05.asp

What is the meaning of the connections between Hamas (Palestine) and Iran? Why is there tension between them? How is it related to the Israeli/Palestine conflict?

These questions and more will be discussed at the Galilee Institute winter session: "Two Nations and Three Religions in Israel and Palestine" that will be held on December 29, 2010 – January 10, 2011

Galilee Institute is currently offering tuition scholarships to eligible candidates.

For more information please contact Mrs. Shiri Salant, Programme Director at ssalant@galilcol.ac.il.

Kind regards & SHALOM

–

Shiri Salant-Fein
Programme Director (web page: http://www.galilcol.ac.il/page.asp?id=344 )
International Centre of Middle East and Religious Studies
Galilee International Management Institute
Israel
ssalants@galilcol.ac.il

CC: Shoshi Norman
Director Middle East and Religious Studies Centre
Galilee International Management Institute
snorman@galilcol.ac.il

Schusterman Center for Israel Studies, Brandeis University

Are you interested in pursuing a PhD focused on modern Israel in history, politics, sociology, Middle East studies, Israeli art, literature or culture?

Want to become part of a lively academic community of scholars, students, artists and public intellecturals through scholarship conferences and public events?

Schusterman Center for Israel Studies at Brandeis University sponsors full and partial fellowships for doctoral candidates focusing on Israel Studies. Fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis to candidates accepted into the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

How to Apply
1. Complete the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences application at www.brandeis.edu/gsas/apply
2. Fill out the brief Schusterman Graduate Fellowship applciation at www.brandeis.edu/israelcenter.support/gradStudent.html

Two Nations & Three Religions in Israel and Palestine

Galillee Institute, Israel - Winter Program: Two Nations & Three Religions in Israel and Palestine: December 29th, 2010 - January 10th, 2011

The main goal of the program is to enable participants to form their unique personal impressions of the region, by providing a framework that allows for immediate and unfiltered exposure to the daily realities as experienced by the peoples in the region. Through lectures and study tours, participants will gain a better understanding of the range of responses offered by the religiously and ethnically varied populations to the complex issues routinely encountered in this region.

The program aims to:
1. Present an overview of the history of the Land of Israel-Palestine.
2. Acquaint the students with the different ethnic and religious groups in the region, their way of life, beliefs, views and inter-relations.
3. Present different perspectives and views regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
4. Deepen participants' understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and current issues.
The winter programme is intended for faculty and graduate students preferably who are in the process of studying courses associated with the Middle East.

A limited number of tuition scholarships will be available to qualified candidates.

Bridget's Spring 2010 Semester in Israel

My name is Bridget Trent and I am studying for the Spring 2010 semester in Jerusalem at Hebrew University. I am studying through a co-sponsored program through IU and Hebrew University's Rothberg International School. I study International Studies with an emphasis on the Middle East, Human Rights, and Social Movements. I am also studying Hebrew and Arabic, which leads to some funny mistakes. I stay in the Student Village near the Mt. Scopus Campus of Hebrew Univerisity in east Jerusalem. I would reccomend this program to students that want to learn about MANY different viewpoints of political situations in the Middle East.

On the weekends, I have visited Ramallah by taking an Egged bus to the Damascus Gate of the Old City, followed by bus #18 to the Qalandia Checkpoint in the northeastern outskirts of Jerusalem. Finally, I would be picked up or take a taxi closer to Ramallah where I would meet my friends who reside in the city.

Once at the Qalandia Checkpoint, I took pictures of the graffiti (Photos 2 & 3). It is quite interesting to observe graffiti from all over the world and the messages they portray. This checkpoint is one of the most imfamous in the area, known for it's long waits and tough questioning before allowing West Bank residents to pass through. It is situated on the main road between Ramallah and Jerusalem. I have also included a picture of grafitti from my trip to Bethlehem in Early March (Photo 1). I find it quite interesting how political dissent can be expressed in so many ways.

If you would like to learn more about this program please click here for more information on this IU Overseas Study Opportunity.

Today, over 23,000 students, from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, study on the University’s four campuses, including some 1,200 visitors from abroad and new immigrants, who have come to its Rothberg International School to pursue degrees or earn credits for transfer. The School has become an international arena, a magnet that attracts students from around the world. They converge here to find intellectual challenge, religious bonds, political analysis and cultural activity. In the hallways of the School you will hear English spoken in the accents of New York, New England and the Deep South, of Britain, Australia and South Africa. You will hear the sounds of Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, Polish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Swedish, Norwegian, Korean and Japanese reverberate in the Rothberg International School. The Hebrew University brings all these students, from over 50 countries, together in Jerusalem to share a common experience in Hebrew – their new common language.

Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, is well known for its abundant historical and holy sites and fascinating tourist attractions. A city sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, Jerusalem is a melding of past and present, of ancient roots and modern innovations. In addition, this thriving metropolis is rich in art galleries and museums, theaters and concert halls, restaurants and cafes, pubs and dance clubs. Exciting festivals, exhibitions, international conferences, sports competitions and many other special events are held throughout the year. Click here to see more pictures from the Rotherberg International School.

Galilee International Management Institute Summer Programmes

Greetings,


We are now in the final phase of preparations towards the opening of the summer programmes event.

I would like to invite faculty and students that are interested to take this last opportunity to benefit from one of the few remaining tuition scholarships granted upon acceptance to the programmes.

Kindly note that we decided to hold for the second time a Joint Israeli Palestinian Winter session:

"Two Nations & Three Religions in Israel and Palestine", that is scheduled to be held on 29 December, 2010 – 10 January, 2011

For more information, I will be most gladly to help.

Shalom & Regards,

Shoshi Norman
Programme Director
Email: snorman@galilcol.ac.il