The Brandeis Response: Learning About Israel, The Middle East, and The Ongoing Regional Conflict
At Brandeis, we choose to approach difficult and complex topics with rigorous study and nuanced, respectful debate.
This fall we are proud to offer a comprehensive array of events, courses and other opportunities to learn about Israel, the Middle East, and the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
We encourage all members of the Brandeis community, including students, faculty, and staff to make an effort to engage with the following resources and deepen their knowledge of a topic that is very complex and also deeply personal to many members of our community.
Spring 2025 Courses
Brandeis News Stories about Israel and the War
Photo Credit: Dan Kitwood / Getty Images
Reporting from the field, an NPR journalist investigates the gulf between Israelis and Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas war.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
In the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, Jewish undergraduates across the U.S. are experiencing growing hostility.
Photo Credit: Illustration by Davide Bonazzi
A Crown Center fellow is conducting polls of the Palestinian people. He believes peace is still possible.
Photo Credit: Alexi J. Rosenfeld / Getty Images
Rachel Goldberg-Polin ’92 has been named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2024 for her fierce advocacy in behalf of her son and the hostages still held captive by Hamas since its invasion of Israel.
The Anti-Defamation League gave Brandeis a grade of A in the ADL’s first-ever Campus Antisemitism Report Card, released in April.
Brandeis President Ron Liebowitz and Jessica Liebowitz reflect on their visit to Israel to commemorate the shared 75th anniversaries of Brandeis University and the state of Israel.
Two in-depth discussions — one hosted by the Crown Center for Middle East Studies and one by the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies — examined the attack on Israel by Hamas and the unfolding war in Gaza.
Deborah and Shlomi Matias, the daughter and son-in-law of Ilan Troen ’63, the Stoll Family Professor Emeritus in Israel Studies, were shot to death early Saturday morning in their home in Beersheba, Israel, by Hamas terrorists. Here, Troen offers a first-person account and perspective.
Other Coverage
From the Maurice and Marilyn Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies
August 2024
We know that Jewish students have experienced a heightened hostile environment on many college campuses since October 7. But what are the factors that contribute to that climate? This study aims to understand the underlying influences that contribute to the perception of antisemitism on campus. In particular, how non-Jewish students think about Jews and Israel and how these views relate to their other political beliefs or philosophical outlooks. The data for the study were collected in the spring semester of 2024 from undergraduate students at 60 schools with large Jewish student bodies.
Supporting Our Community
Presidential Messages and Statements
November 27, 2023
November 11, 2023
November 8, 2023
October 23, 2023
October 7, 2023
Honoring Members of the Brandeis Community Who Have Been Impacted by the Hamas Terror Attacks
Ilan Troen ’63, the Stoll Family Professor Emeritus in Israel Studies and Carol Troen. Their daughter Deborah z”l and son-in-law Shlomi Matias z”l died early Saturday Oct. 7th morning in their home in Beersheva, Israel, where they were shot by Hamas terrorists. The Troen’s grandson, Rotem, survived because his parents shielded him from the gunfire.
Rachel Goldberg-Polin ’92 and Jonathan Polin, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin z"l who was kidnapped on Oct. 7th, 2023, and murdered in captivity by Hamas in late August 2024.
Dr. Jonathan L. Dekel-Chen, PhD’02 and Gillian Kaye, founders of the Bikurim Village and parents of Sagui Dekel-Chen who has been held hostage in Gaza by Hamas terrorists since Oct. 7th, 2023.