The Israel-Arab Studies Program at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs in cooperation with LionPac presents

The challenge of nuanced activism: A Shabbat of discussion and thought

with Charles Jacobs, PhD and Irwin J. (Yitzchak) Mansdorf, PhD

Shabbat afternoon, March 4th Pro-Israeli activism on the college campus: Does (or should) anyone really care? Lunch and discussion
Both Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestinian "advocacy" organizations play an active role in trying to control the narratives and "hearts and minds" of fellow students. Despite the presence of numerous advocacy organizations on both sides of the divide, the question has been raised as to whether activism as we have known it is at all relevant to the discourse of Israel-Palestine. Is the campus really burning? Is there one "voice" for either pro-Israeli or pro-Palestinian students? Are students on one side more passionate than those on the other side? Are both committed and less-committed Jewish students turning off to Israel "activism"? Join us for a catered Shabbat Lunch and a student-led discussion on the role of factors including students, advocacy organizations, media, hype and reality in shaping the challenge of the academic aspect of the Israel-Palestinian dynamic. Student-moderated discussion with Drs. Jacobs and Mansdorf

Drs. Jacobs and Mansdorf will also join student leaders for a "post-discussion-discussion" on the ramifications of current events, current leadership and current reality for the goals of pro-Israel campus groups.

Charles Jacobs, EdD was named by The Forward as one of Americas top 50 leaders, is a journalist and a long-time activist in the Jewish community and beyond. He co-founded the Boston branch of CAMERA, the American Anti-Slavery Group, the David Project and now heads Americans for Peace and Tolerance, a coalition of Jews, Christians and authentically moderate Muslims. Charles was President of the David Project when it produced the controversial film, Columbia Unbecoming. Irwin J. (Yitzchak) Mansdorf, PhD directs the Israel-Arab Studies Program and political psychology research at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs. He has researched and published on behavioral aspects of politics as well as post-traumatic stress, including several studies conducted while serving in the Gulf War of 1991, the 2006 Lebanon War and during the Israel-Palestinian disturbances that began in 2000.
This program made possible with the assistance of the Avi Chai foundation