As place, Israel reflects its geography and history. The country is at one and the same time Middle Eastern and Middle European, multicultural and homogeneous. At times in harmony but also at times in tension, these diverse cultural influences define Israel. As place, Israel has also been shaped by its particular topography and ecology. These challenges have sparked Israeli pioneers in the sciences and social sciences.

Idea and place come together in creative tension to find their expression in the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Israel's world leadership in arid agriculture and its fusion of diverse influences in dance are two examples of how idea and place merge to shape Israeli contributions to the world.

The Center integrates the prominence of American University faculty who have long-standing reputations in Israel with the university's expertise in the design of experiential and global education. It will be a national and international hub for the creation and dissemination of knowledge about Israeli contributions in:

• performing arts-dance, music, theatre
• literature and letters
• economic organization
• environmental science - water resource utilization and arid agriculture
• law and society
• public administration
• visual arts
• Jewish studies

The Association for Israel Studies

The Center for Israel Studies is the administrative headquarters for the Association for Israel Studies -- the international professional association that conducts research and organizes conferences on the problems of modern Israel and its history. The Center has hosted two of their international conferences. Professor Russell Stone is the Administrative Coordinator and you can learn more about AIS at:
http://www.aisisraelstudies.org

Jewish Studies Program at American University

Courses in Jewish Studies enrich the understanding of American and world Jewries and of our pluralistic society. http://www.american.edu/academic.depts/cas/js/js.html

American University Hillel

http://www.auhillel.org