Hebrew Language, Literature and Culture

September 11, 2024

4:05-5:25 pm, Abraham Shapiro Academic Complex, room 209

The Brandeis Hebrew program welcomes theater translator, writer, and director Eli Bijaoui. Eli Bijaoui has translated and adapted nearly 100 classics, modern plays, and musicals from both English and French into Hebrew, along with writing original creations and directing for Israel's repertory theaters. His works include classics such as Molière’s Tartuffe and Miser and Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and Othello; modern plays such as Tony Kushner’s Angels in America; and musicals such as Mamma Mia, Cabaret, West Side Story, Avenue Q and Stephen Sondheim's Passion. He has received the Israeli Rosenblum Prize for the Performing Arts for Outstanding Creative Achievement in recognition of his contribution to making foreign languages plays accessible to Israeli audiences, and the 2022 Israel Ministry of Culture award.

This session will be conducted in Hebrew.

Sponsored by The Consortium for the Teaching of Hebrew Language and Culture (CTHLC) and the Hebrew Program

October 7, 2024

All sessions take place in Abraham Shapiro Academic Complex, Room 209 and are open to the Brandeis community. Made possible by generous support from the Morningstar Foundation. Bagels and cream cheese from Kupel's Bakery will be served throughout the day.

10:10-11 am
Omri Nahmias is an MBA Sloan Fellow at MIT and a veteran Israeli journalist. He served as the Jerusalem Post Washington bureau chief, covering the US-Israel relationship and Israel-related legislation on Capitol Hill. Conducted in Hebrew and English.

11:15 am-12:05 pm, 12:20-1:10 pm
Itamar Haviv, Agricultural Zionism in the "Negev." Itamar Haviv has extensive experience teaching and mentoring on Jewish and Israeli heritage with a profound commitment to nurturing the younger generation in Israel. With a background in farming date trees in the Arava desert, his lectures are about the unique challenges of agriculture and life in the desert. Conducted in Hebrew and English.

2:30-3:50 pm, 4:05- 5:25 pm
Amichai Hason, an Israeli poet, curator and filmmaker, has worked as a journalist and literary critic for Israeli papers. He is one of the editors of the poetry journal "Meshiv Haruach." His poems often deal with the tension between his religious faith and artistic sensibilities and stand on the border between cultures, identities, sources and places. Conducted in Hebrew.

Every fall, we offer a dynamic series of talks and events featuring a diverse lineup of engaging guests. Our Hebrew Language and Arts Festival emphasizes experiential learning methods, fostering a sense of agency, belonging, and competency.

Festival Highlights

• Interactive Workshops: Explore hands-on sessions that blend language learning with artistic expression.
• Guest Speaker Talks: Gain insights from leading figures in Hebrew language, music, theater, film, fine arts, and more.
• Cultural Immersion: Experience the rich aspects of Israeli culture through performances, exhibitions, and discussions.
• Community Interaction: Connect with fellow enthusiasts and practitioners in a supportive and stimulating environment.

• "The Evolution of U.S.-Israel Relations: Insights from Jerusalem to Washington" by Omri Nahmias, Veteran Israeli Journalist
• "Narratives of Politics and Conflict: A Deep Dive" by Michal Ben-Josef Hirsch
• "Middle Eastern Geopolitics: The Israeli-Arab Conflict and Agricultural Innovation" by Itamar Haviv

• "The Israeli Flute: A Cultural and Musical Journey" by Amir Milstein
• "Contemporary Middle Eastern Music: Trends and Influences" by Akram Haddad

• "In Between: A Personal Exploration of Palestinian-Israeli Identity" by Ibrahim Miari
  • This semi-autobiographical one-man show portrays the complexities and contradictions inherent in Palestinian-Israeli identity. Those same complexities and contradictions define Miari's life “in between” two worlds. Miari transcends today’s political distractions and reminds us of the deeper inner struggles and bonds that link us all.
• "The Rhythm Connection" by Noa Barankin, Israeli performing artist
  • Barankin created "DrumatiX," a rhythm based dance company where participants explore different rhythms and beats through percussion.

• "Meet the Director: Renen Schorr and the Legacy of 'Late Summer Blues'"
• "The Israeli Film Industry Post-October 7th" by Film Critic Avner Shavit

• "Reviving Hebrew: Insights from My Great Grandfather, the Prophet" by Gil Hovav
• "The Linguistic Identity of Modern Israelis: Do We Really Speak Hebrew?" by Ghil'ad Zuckermann
• "Text and the City: Learning Hebrew through Urban Exploration" by Guy Sharett

• "Cinematic Photography and Identity: A Conversation" by Adi Nes (bilingual presentation)
• "Exploring Israeli Masculinity and War through Photography" by Adi Nes

• "Overcoming Second Language Anxiety and Optimizing Problem Solving" by Dr. Dalia Olshvang
• "Designing Small Spaces for Balance and Harmony" by Vered Rosen

• "Innovative Education: Comparing High Tech Schools in Tel Aviv and the U.S." by Ran Cohen
• "Art Without Boundaries: Engaging Local Voices in Israeli Cultural Institutions"

• "The Neuroscience of Storytelling: Insights from 'Jerusalem Beach'" by Iddo Gefen

• "The Evolution of Israeli Food Culture in America" by Ilan Barniv