Course taught by Mr. Yisrael Neeman
Beginning as a cultural phenomenon in the ancient world of the Eastern Mediterranean over 2000 years ago, anti-Jewish sentiment was embedded in early Christian theology, became institutionalized by the Byzantines, was adopted by Islam, and saw popular outbreaks of violence against Jewish communities throughout the Middle Ages in Europe and the Middle East.
Hopes for redress and understanding with the dawn of the Enlightenment proved disappointing as Jews received more rights and eventually “equality,” but were now accused of controlling the economies of new nation states. Nazi theorists used “scientific evidence” that demanded the world be saved from negative Jewish influence. Post World War II, a new antisemitism arose in the form of anti-Zionism. Today the national conflict over land between Jews and Palestinian Arabs has widened to include Jews world-wide. But is every Jew a Zionist? And how does one critique the State of Israel without being antisemitic? Is it possible we are facing a resurgence of the great conspiracy theory of Jewish world domination? Today’s widespread antisemitism not only negates the rights of a Jewish State to exist, but in fact may be said to question Jewish existence itself.
Yisrael Neeman has a B.A. in Middle Eastern Studies from Rutgers University and an MA in Jewish History from the University of Haifa. He teaches courses at the University of Haifa and the Technion International Schools pertaining to Israel, the Jewish people, and the Middle East focusing on nationalism and Jihad related topics. Over the years he has lectured elsewhere in Israel and abroad.
Neeman has been a professional tour guide since 1985 with an emphasis on educational programming. He was local council chairman of the Eshhar Community Village for twelve years where he lives with his wife Susan. His recent book Hamas Jihad was published by White Hart Publications and is available on Amazon.
3 credits = 42 academic hours
July 15 – August 1, 2024
This course will consist of classroom learning three days a week and a one-day study tour each week.
