Professor Zohar Raviv is an internationally renowned educator of Judaism.  His academic and professional experience span Israel, North America, Europe, South Africa and Australia and has now returned to his country of birth – Israel – having been appointed Director of Education for the Birthright.taglit organization.

Based in Jerusalem, Professor Raviv visited Givat Haviva this month further strengthening the already close ties with the International Department staff members.

In the past Professor Raviv, who holds a B.A. in Land of Israel Studies from Bar-Ilan University, a Joint M.A. in Judaic Studies and Jewish Education from Brandeis University, as well as an M.A. in Near Eastern Studies and a PhD in Jewish Thought and Mysticism – both of which from the University of Michigan – in the past brought a number of groups from the States to Israel and incorporated a seminar with Givat Haviva's International Department in their programs.

Professor Raviv took the opportunity of his visit to also see for himself other departments on campus such as the Art Center and Peace Gallery, Peace Library and to meet with the Intensive Arabic Semester students for lunch at neighboring Kibbutz Barkai where they are based and also took in a tour of Barta'a village in Wadi Ara.

In the Art Center Professor Raviv met with teaching assistant Mitzi Alper (left above) who also hails from Barkai and originally from Chicago - a city the professor knows well as he spent some years teaching there – and also chatted with one of the artists (pictured right) who also turned out to be a professor who spent many years in Barcelona.

 

          

Professor Raviv chatting with the Intensive Arabic Semester students over lunch in Barkai

 

Professor Raviv was greatly impressed by the Intensive Arabic Semester students and what they had to say about their motivation for undertaking the 5-month program and of their experiences during the first month of the program.

He was delighted to hear that 3 of the nine students had visited Israel in the past with Birthright.taglit. Over 250,000 young Jews from all over the world have been brought to Israel for a 10-day tour through the Birthright.taglit program, for the majority of them – their first visit to the country.

Following his visit to Givat Haviva, Professor Raviv emailed International Department director Hilit Ben-Zvi:

"Dear Hilit.

The recent visit was another opportunity to see at first-hand the importance of Givat Haviva's educational vision, and – even more so – your role in shaping Arab-Jewish dialogue in Israel and its impact on generations of Israeli citizens. 

I was most impressed by the tour with Lydia (although I wasn't surprised by its quality and depth!), and the time I was given for that valuable meeting with the students.  I left feeling thrilled by the qualities of the young people who have chosen to join your study-program, and was deeply impressed by the way that you are helping them – at such an early stage – to understand the various aspects of the Israeli reality, through down-to-earth overview and critical thinking.

I must pay tribute to the educational endeavor that you head, Hilit.  And I believe that many more people will benefit from the very significant efforts created in your place of learning, over the years.

With hopes for continuing and long-term collaboration,

Sincerely,

Dr. Zohar Raviv

Head, International Education Staff

Birthright.taglit."

 

Text & Photos: Lydia Aisenberg – February, 2010