The Many Faces of Israel

The Many Faces of Israel provides a unique combination of direct exploration of the social reality of Israel today during the Oranim trip, and a course of independent study.

The Resource Book for this course has been prepared to provide both primary and secondary sources critical to understanding the complexity of Israeli society in 2006. Articles focus on the 4000 year-old relationship of the Jewish People to the Land of Israel, the return to Israel during the last 150 years - as the Zionist movement implemented its national program - and the formation of the modern nation-state of Israel, culminating in Israel’s declaration of independence in 1948.

Also explored will be the challenges facing a small country made up of Jews from extraordinarily diverse social, cultural, linguistic and economic backgrounds, along with a heterogeneous population of Arab citizens comprising 20% of the population. The unique role Israel plays at the center of the mythic narratives of three world religions are also considered. Some articles will express the ongoing struggle to build and maintain a society which is both Jewish and democratic while including a large minority of non-Jewish members. The ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict and the acute - and often, but not always violent - struggle between Israel and its Palestinian neighbors is investigated in some depth; from the pinnacle of optimism around the Oslo Peace Process to the current, deadly but not static quagmire.

The Resource book is intended to be a first step in each student/visitor’s independent study. Several options are presented for independent research projects. Additional written sources can be found in university libraries, through print and electronic journals, elsewhere on the internet or in bookstores. Students are also encouraged to draw upon their direct experience of Israel and to consider the people they encounter on their personal journey through Israel 2006 as direct sources of experience, knowledge and learning.

Course Requirements:

Students participating in this course are required to hand in a 15-20 pages typed paper on one of the assignments by e-mail to Credits@OranimIsrael.com

Or by mail to:

Israel University
28 Hata'as St., P.O.B 2135
Kfar Saba, 44641
Israel