Healing the World: A Evening of Dialogue and Discoveries

On Tuesday, November 10, 2009, approximately 160 guests gathered at The Jewish Center to enjoy an educational evening with Hebrew University faculty. The event was organized by American Friends of The Hebrew University’s Greater New York Region in partnership with The Jewish Center in Manhattan.  Guests were welcomed by AFHU lay leaders, including Healing the World committee chair, Steven R. Paradise and president of the Greater NY Region, Pamela Emmerich.  AFHU board chairman, George Schieren, thanked Hebrew University faculty members for traveling from Israel to participate in the popular Healing the World forum, which “broke records” for audience attendance.  

A lively keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Kenneth W. Stein, the William E. Schatten Professor of Contemporary Middle Eastern History, Political Science and Israeli Studies at Emory University.  Dr. Stein, who studied and learned Hebrew at The Hebrew University, addressed the issue of “Shifting Middle East Landscapes.”  Praising the education he received as a student on scholarship at Hebrew University, Dr. Stein described his current efforts to teach Jewish day school educators “about how the subject of Israel should be taught.”  

During breakout sessions, prominent Hebrew University faculty made presentations illuminating their areas of academic expertise.   Sarah Stroumsa, HU Rector and the Alice and Jack Ormut Professor of Arabic Studies, spoke on the topic: “The Nature of Things: Maimonides on the World’s Ailments and Cures.   A session devoted to “Fighting Bacteria and Viruses,” was taught by Professor Isaiah (Shy) Arkin, head of Research and Development at Hebrew University and an expert on molecular medicine. “Nanotechnology’s Contribution to Solving the Energy Crisis” was presented by Ronny Costi.  Renowned Jewish demographer Professor Sergio DellaPergola provided a presentation on “Jewish Identity, Assimilation and Continuity.”  Current events were likewise on the program. “The Challenge of Protecting Human Rights in Israel,” was discussed by Professor Yuval Shany, who outlined issues concerning the protection of minority rights and Israeli-Palestinian relations.  “Israel’s Role in Creating a Sustainable Environment,” was explained by Professor Rony Wallach, who focused on water management issues, clarifying Hebrew University’s research and innovation in the field of environmental conservation.   

AFHU’s Greater NY Region offers educational forums annually to showcase the breadth and scope of expertise at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. To learn about upcoming events, please visit www.afhu.org

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  Keynote address by Dr. Kenneth Stein, William E. Schatten Professor of Contemporary Middle Eastern History, Political Science and Israeli Studies at Emory University.

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  Dr. Kenneth W. Stein, with Rabbi Yosie Lavine of the Jewish Center, and members of the Healing the World Committee.

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  Professor Sergio DellaPergola, the Shlomo Argov Chair in Israel-Diaspora Relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Miriam Toaff DellaPergola.  Prof. DellaPergola presented a class in Jewish Identity, Assimilation and Continuity: Are Jews Across the World Similar or Different?

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  Pamela Nadler Emmerich, President of the Greater NY Region of American Friends of Hebrew University and an alum of Hebrew University's Rothberg International School is joined by Margot London, member of the Greater NY Region board and the Healing the World Committee.

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  Hebrew University Professor Yuval Shany teaches his class on The Challenge of Protecting Human Rights in Israel.

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  AFHU Board of trustees member, Frances Katz with the Healing the World Committee members, and friends.

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  Healing the World participant, Mary Smart

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  Hebrew University Professor Isaiah (Shy) Arkin, left, head of Research and Development, gave participants insight into the molecular level of viruses in his class, Fighting Bacteria and Viruses. Faculty member Rony Costi, right, taught a popular session, From Tiny to Great: Nanotechnology's Contribution to Solving the World's Energy Crisis.

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  Hebrew University Rector Prof. Sarah Stroumsa, taught a lively class on The Nature of Things: Maimonides on the World's Ailments and Their Cure.

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  Hebrew University Professor Rony Wallach engaged participants with his lecture on Israel's Role in Creating a Stable Environment.