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The Ruth and Phil Sokolof Lecture

The annual Ruth and Phil Sokolof Lecture in Israel and Jewish Studies is the fruit of a generous donation by the Sokolof-Javitch family. Speakers in this series have included former Ambassadors Martin Indyk and Stuart Eizenstat, renowned authors Dan Senor, Daniel Gordis, and Ari Shavit. To support this lecture, please visit the Support Us tab.

2021 Phil & Ruth Sokolof Lecture

Dr. Simon Rabinovitch

"What's Jewish About the Jewish State? Examining Israel’s Fierce Debate on the Nation-State Law"

Held April 29, 2021 | Watch the Recording

The 2021 Sokolof Lecture was presented by Simon Rabinovitch, Ph.D., Associate Professor in History at Northeastern University, in a virtual event on Thursday, April 29. Dr. Rabinovitch examined and analyzed the impact of Israel’s 2018 Nation-State Law. The passage of the law sparked protests from Israel’s Druze population and raised questions about balancing minority rights and national self-determination.

Past Lectures

Dr. Jonathan Sarna

"That Obnoxious Order: Ulysses S. Grant and the Jews"

Seth M. Siegel

"Let There Be Water: Israel's Solution to a Water-Starved World"

Dr. Jonathan Adelman

"Russia and Israel:New Emerging Powers in the Middle East"

Honorable Dennis Ross

"U.S. - Israeli Relationship from Truman to Obama"

Ari Shavit

"My Promise Land: A Personal Journey Through the History of Israel" (Courtesy of UNO Television)

Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat

"The Future of the Jews: How Global Forces are Impacting the Jewish People, Israel, and Its Relationship with the United States."

Dr. Stephen Berk

"Our People are Your People: American Jewry and the Struggle for Civil Rights, 1954 - 1965"

Dr. Daniel Gordis

"Year 2048: Can Israel Survive to the Age of 100?"