by stacey palevsky
staff writer
Jewish studies departments often focus on things that happened long ago; the U.C. Davis course book, for instance, lists classes such as Yiddish literature, History of the Holocaust and Pre-modern Jewish History.
But on Monday, March 3, the Davis Jewish Studies program will look ahead as it holds a conference on “American Jews: Contemporary Challenges.”
The event — from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. — is free and open to the public.
Noted researcher Steven M. Cohen will give the keynote address, preceded by two panel discussions.
The first will explore Israel dialogue on college campuses. Speakers include Moshe Rosenberg, a professor of dairy science and the director of the Davis chapter of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East; Zeev Maoz, a professor of political science; and Josh Nathan-Kazis, the editor of New Voices, a national Jewish student magazine.
Rosenberg founded the Davis chapter of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East (SPME) two years ago, following a campus event that included what Rosenberg called a one-sided, anti-Israel and anti-Zionist panel.
“I’ve realized that unfortunately there are some cold winds blowing here in California and on campuses across the country,” he said. “Rather than shouting and screaming, I decided to form this chapter.”
Rosenberg was born in Netanya, Israel, and came to the United States 18 years ago when U.C. Davis recruited him to teach in the food science department.
SPME is an international group. Rosenberg has reached out to other chapters in Northern California, and has established a coalition among five universities.
“Members come from across disciplines, from physics to brain surgery, food science to Bible studies,” he said. “You don’t have to be a scholar of Jewish studies to become active in SPME. You just have to have an open mind and to be a fair and balanced person who seeks justice — that’s it.”
The group meets with university administrators when tensions arise. For instance, Rosenberg said SMPE was quite vocal after vandals defaced a sukkah at the U.C. Davis Hillel, meeting with the university’s chancellor and provost.
“Every time we hear about something, we proactively establish the understanding that there is no room for anti-Jewish sentiments,” he said. “There’s no attempt at censorship. A discussion is welcome as long as it is really fair and balanced.”
The second panel will focus on alternative approaches to engaging young adult Jews, with speakers including Aaron Bisman, founder of JDub Records; Daniel Sokatch, founder and director of Progressive Jewish Alliance; and Tobin Belzer, a researcher from the University of Southern California’s Center for Religion and Civic Culture.
“I totally, totally respect what they’re doing, and how they’re involved in Jewish life in new and interesting and provocative ways,” said Ari Kelman, a U.C. Davis professor who assembled the panel. “I think we’ll have a productive discussion on the intersection of ethnicity, religion and youth.”
The conference will be preceded by a 7 p.m. Sunday performance of “A Jerusalem Between Us,” a work-in-progress reading by Aaron Davidman of the Traveling Jewish Theater. The solo play follows one man’s journey from America to the Middle East and reflects on the spirit of Jewish values.
For more information contact the Jewish Studies Program at jst@ucdavis.edu (530) 754-7007.
CopyrightJ, the Jewish news weekly of Northern California