ISRAEL SEMINARS PROGRAMMING |
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Israel Seminars is based on Kibbutz Alumim, in the South of Israel, in the North-western area of the Negev region.
We present cutting-edge, interactive programming about current affairs in Israel and the Jewish world:
• Programming in Jewish communities in the UNITED STATES, CANADA, UNITED KINGDOM, IRELAND and around the Jewish world
• Weekend and one & two-day residential seminars and retreats at Kibbutz Alumim Guest House in Israel
• Local Gaza border area educational tours to meet the people and see the places
• Sessions and seminars at your hotel for groups and missions visiting Israel
• Programming and courses for gap-year programs, short term Israel tours, new immigrants and other English speaking audiences in Israel
• Programs for “Mifgash” (encounter) sessions with English-speakers and Israelis
• Programs available in English and Hebrew (Please contact us for arrangements for other languages.)
Program suggestions:
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 Gilad Schalit - At any price?
The Israeli Public Debate about Prisoner Exchange
Israel Seminars’ interactive discussion program explores the highly emotive issue of the recently released IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, and examines some of the most compelling and intense moral dilemmas faced by the Jewish people, the Israeli population and its leadership.
Gilad Shalit was abducted from Kerem Shalom on the Gaza border at 5:40 a.m. on Sunday, June 25th 2006, and held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Over the months and years, a huge public campaign in Israel constantly pushed to achieve his release.
On Wednesday, October 12th 2011, news broke of a deal to free Gilad. The Israeli cabinet approved an agreement in which 1,027 Palestinian terrorists would be released in return for the captured IDF serviceman. In cabinet, three ministers voted against the deal; in the final hours, the Israeli Supreme Court rejected appeals to prevent the exchange going ahead.
On Tuesday, October 18th 2011, Gilad returned home. Gilad was in captivity for 1941 days - over five years and four months.
It was a most emotional event for the whole population of Israel – the drama of Gilad Shalit's return cannot be understated.
In Israel Seminars' discussion program, we consider the points raised in the public debate and the compelling human dilemmas faced by the decision-makers over the five years of Gilad's captivity:
Why did it take so long to bring him back?
Why is Israel willing to release so many terrorists for one soldier?
Surely Israel is responsible for all soldiers drafted into military service?
The terrorists released in the deal had killed 590 Israelis. 60% of terrorists released in previous prisoner exchanges have returned to terror. How many more lives will be at risk as they are set free?
But if Israel doesn't free a captured soldier,
how would that affect IDF morale?
What do Israelis think about this issue?
What points are considered in the public debate?
How can classical Jewish sources help us decide?
What will happen the next time…?
This interactive discussion program will get everyone involved in exploring these dilemmas and discussing how different voices in Israel approach the issue of prisoner exchanges
– the most dramatic issue on Israel's agenda.
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 Israel Seminars presents an interactive discussion program exploring the Zionist idea.
Looking at posters, symbols and graphic representations spanning over a century, from the turn of the 20th century to the present day, we discuss the Zionist movement's outlook, historic and modern messages and goals.
What were the major challenges? What were the campaigns essential to nation building? Who were the heroes and the villains, the allies and the enemies? From where did they draw their strength and inspiration?
The program concludes by considering what Zionism should look like today.
All materials have English translations, no knowledge of Hebrew required.
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"Mr. Obama has pressed Israel to halt settlement activity, but Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has refused to declare a settlement freeze, saying some building should continue to match population growth." New York Times July 6, 2009
"Nothing poses a greater threat to the relationship between Israel and the United States than the issue of Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories.
In May, U.S. President Barack Obama made it clear that for the Arab-Israeli peace process to move forward, in his view Israel must halt settlement construction in the West Bank as a sign of good faith and a signal of a more even-handed American diplomacy in the Middle East. This week, Mr. Obama's envoy George Mitchell lands in Israel to press the case for a freeze, and Israel is bracing itself for the implications of its critical ally's new, hard-nosed stand..." Globe and Mail, Thursday July 16th,2009.
Israel Seminars' program allows an open, informed debate on the central issue on Israel's agenda, so crucial to relations with the United States.
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Israel Seminars' Musical History Tour
Explore Israel's history through Israeli popular music.
In this program we listen to some of Israel's more representative musical creations throughout the last 62 years.
Looking at the lyrics can reveal the atmosphere in Israeli society as they faced contemporary challenges.
Listening to the musical style reveals popular influences in Israeli culture.
Map out how attitudes towards the state change over the years.
Discuss Israel's history and get to know some important examples of Israeli music
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GAZA GAMEPLAN: Exploring the future for Israel's southern frontline
 Over 100 missiles have landed in Israel since the end of the IDF's "Operation Cast Lead" in Gaza -
What has changed?
What did the operation achieve?
How was it different?
What does the future hold?
“1,571 rockets and 1,531 mortar bombs fired from the Gaza Strip struck southern Israel in 2008.” (Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs website)
After eight years when thousands of kassam missiles have been fired at Sderot and other local Israeli towns and villages, has the IDF's recent military operation, "Operation Cast Lead", brought peace to the Gaza border communities? What are the current prospects for ceasefire and calm in the area?
A lively, interactive discussion program led by Sderot area resident and internationally renowned speaker Jeremy Maissel.
In the program:
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Multi-media presentations, video clips, maps, music and pictures
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Explore the moral dilemmas of everyday life in the shadow of Kassam missiles
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What was different about "Operation Cast Lead"? What did it achieve?
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Discuss future defense and military strategies for Israel
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Latest update on the situation direct from the area
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Time to ask questions and express your opinions
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  Israel's Historic Dilemmas
An original approach to considering Israel's history – how would we confront some of the major challenges faced by Israel in its first six decades?
The program uses innovative, interactive techniques, recreating Israel's history with the participants.
Participants examine some major dilemmas that topped Israel's agenda from the formative years, right up to contemporary times. The dilemmas reflect on the major issues in Israeli society, how Israel has changed and developed over the years, and helps to put contemporary subjects into a historical perspective.
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Kibbutz 21C
The Kibbutz movement celebrates100 years
 The Kibbutz is a unique Israeli invention indivisibly intertwined in the history of modern Zionism and the State of Israel.
This program takes a brief look at the contribution of the kibbutz to Israel in its formative years, considers its ideology, and examines some of the fundamental changes that are taking place in the kibbutz movement.
Israel Seminars' program explores through innovative interactive techniques some of the questions that face kibbutzim in the 21st century.
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Israeli Politics Now
How does the Israeli electoral and political system work?
An "Introduction to Israeli Politics" or "Israeli Politics for Dummies" – the workings of Israeli politics can seem complicated – and not just for Israelis!
A grounding in Israel's internal political structure is vital to understanding Israel's actions in the international arena.
Israel Seminars' “ISRAEL POLITICS NOW” is a fun, dynamic, informative, interactive discussion program showing you the ins-and-outs of Israeli politics and provides you with a clear and comprehensive guide to Israel's complex electoral and parliamentary system.
"ISRAEL POLITICS NOW" looks at the big picture of Israel's political system, the parties and the players, the issues and opinions.
How do Israelis choose their leaders? What are the major issues?
Why so many parties? What do the parties stand for? Why coalitions?
What's on Israel's agenda? Who's who?
What are the alternatives being considered in terms of electoral reform?
Get a grip on Israeli Politics!
Find out about:
· the parties and the players
· the issues and opinions
· Israel as a parliamentary democracy
· Coalition negotiations and coalition governments
Find out the differences between a party, faction and list; discuss the electoral threshold and how minor parties hold the balance of power and exert undue influence over the whole of the country.
Experience the negotiations essential to building a coalition required by every single government since Israel’s establishment in 1948.
Ask your questions and join the conversation!
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Jewish Family Names
An interactive adventure into Jewish history & culture
 Israel Seminars’ interactive program takes a look at the fascinating realm of Jewish names, and examines how we can use our own names as a personal guide to Jewish culture and history.
Learn about the sources of Jewish family names. We can plan the session together with you, and base the activity on examples using the names of participants in the workshop.
See how names can teach us about the geography of the Jewish people.
Discover the trades and professions in Jewish communities around the world, the communal functions and Jewish dynasties.
Find out how migrations and Aliyah to Israel affected names, and some of the tricks to guessing how changes happened.
Understand how legislation affected Jewish names and provided a source of income for the civil authorities.
Find out about the unique repertoire of "insult names" given to Jews in the past and why they agreed to use them.
Decipher some names, break them down to their components and use the "Jewish Names Generator" to make up some names.
Look at the unique way the Jewish people honored women in family names.
A fascinating, creative, interactive workshop using participants' names to spark a journey of discovery into our personal and national history.
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•Just before dawn on May 31st 2010 in a violent clash, Israeli commandos took control of the ship Mavi Marmari, part of a flotilla that set out from Turkey and Greece, whose declared goal was to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza and bring humanitarian aid.
In Israel Seminars’ interactive discussion program,
GAZA FLOTILLA – MAKING WAVES
we examine and discuss this incident, look at the background and consider the consequences as they still unfold.
What is the situation in Gaza? Who are the activists behind the flotillas? How should Israel act or react? How does the international community and media regard Israel? What is the role of the Jewish World in situations like these?
The program focuses on a number of key issues concerning Israel’s policies and relations with the world which have bubbled up to the surface
in the events of the flotilla.
Discuss the issues, ask your questions, voice your opinions, join the conversation.
ISRAEL SEMINARS IS AN EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION WITH NO POLITICAL AGENDA.
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Israel Update
Direct to you from Israel: the latest news and analysis, with background and long-term consequences of Israel's current affairs. Israel Seminars highlights the issues that interest you. The program requires no prior knowledge, yet will be relevant to those who regularly follow the news from Israel.
Israel Update is presented using innovative, cutting-edge interactive discussion techniques encouraging audience participation. You will not hear a lecture!
An opportunity to ask your questions and air your opinions - join the conversation and have your say in Israel's future.
Israel 101
A beginner's guide to Israeli society and politics, geography and history.A general introduction in order to understand the background to current events in Israel. This flexible program can be suited to the age and knowledge level of the audience and your time-frame.
Israel Seminars' Israel 101 uses interactive, participatory techniques to involve the audience in a lively program and ensure an effective, active learning environment.
Israeli Politics in 90 minutes!
Israeli politics is always dynamic and dramatic. The latest update and analysis straight from Israel presented with a clear explanation of the Israeli political system.
The program examines the Israeli political and electoral system. It maps out, clarifies and distinguishes between the platforms of the major political parties and the policies of the principal players. Using advanced interactive techniques and the most up to date information we will look at how the leaders of Israel envision their alternative futures for our Jewish state.
Israeli Politics in 90 minutes! grants its participants a deeper appreciation of the system, parties and players. Jeremy Maissel brings you the latest developments direct from Israel, to debate the issues, discuss your opinions and answer your questions.
Custom-made programs
Israel Seminars aims to present the burning issues on Israel's national agenda for your audience. The dynamic nature of Israel's society and politics, security situation and foreign relations makes it hard to present an up-to-date catalogue of programs available.
We are always ready to present an "Israel Update" program for your group, and are happy to build original, tailor-made programs, together with you, according to the interests and requirements of your audience.
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