PROFESSORS FROM U.S. COLLEGES PREPARE TO LEAVE ON 2018 WINTER FACULTY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM IN ISRAEL

28 to Take Part in Academic Exchange Exploring

Israel’s History, Politics, Culture, and Economy

at SodaStream’s headquarters in Lod, Israel.

New York, NY: November 9, 2018 – Twenty-eight participants comprising 24 professors from universities and colleges across the U.S. will soon experience a once-in-a-lifetime and insightful journey as they prepare to depart on Jewish National Fund’s 2018 Winter Faculty Fellowship Program in Israel.  

Participants will take part on the trip December 26, 2018 – January 8, 2019 traveling throughout Israel, meeting Israeli professors from their respective disciplines and with the same, or similar, research interests, all with the goal of developing collaborations, research projects, co-authoring articles, and establishing exchange programs between faculty and students. The tour, which more than 250 have already taken part in, is a fully-paid intensive program to Israel for full-time U.S.-based academics from a recognized university/learning institution. Jewish National Fund also runs the annual Caravan for Democracy Student leadership Mission to Israel, of which 80 college students will travel to Israel in December, the Winter Faculty Fellowship Program in Israel, and a host of other trips and missions. 

This past summer 23 professors from universities and colleges across the nation took part in the 10th annual Summer Faculty Fellowship Program in Israel. Professor Darren Allen, of the Law and Interdisciplinary Studies Department at Lynn University shared, “The world exists in Israel! Visiting this magical place changed my notion of bravery and challenged misinformed stereotypes. With kind leadership, I experienced peace, passionate dissent, and friends in 10 days. Truly a remarkable journey.”

Participating U.S. –based schools include: Temple University; University of California-Davis; University of Texas-El Paso; Arizona State University; Stetson University; Cornell University; Fort Hays State University; Washington State University; University of Florida; University of Arkansas; Stevens Institute of Technology; Rochester Institute of Technology, and Loyola University-New Orleans.

During the trip, the participants will meet Israelis from all walks of life and will hear from a variety of speakers. They will also be exposed to contemporary Israeli society, culture, historical sites, the people and the way of life in Israel. 

The academics meet with professionals and experts involved in government, industry, education, media, and other sectors to understand the many facets of Israel's evolving national and international policies. Those who take part will gain a deeper awareness of Israel as a ‘start-up nation,’ its success in water innovation, and how the country addresses regional and global challenges.