The Hamline-Hebrew University Program began as the Program on Law, Religion and Ethics in July, 1994. From July, 1994 through July, 2000 the Program consisted of a five-credit, five-week course of study with two classes: Religious Communities and the State of Israel-- A Legal Perspective (3 credits) and Life and Death Issues in Law and Medical Ethics-- A Comparative View (2 credits). Both courses were taught from Jewish, Christian and Muslim perspectives. The program was held at the Rothberg International School of Hebrew University and included both U. S. law students and students from all over the world who registered through the Rothberg School.
Over this seven-year period the faculty included Professor Ze’ev Falk, Hebrew University; Professor Daniel Sinclair, Tel-Aviv College of Management Law School; Professor Vardit Rispler -Chaim, University of Haifa; Professor David M. Cobin, Hamline University School of Law; Professor Michael Scherschligt, Hamline University School of Law; Professor Earl Schwartz, Hamline University; Professor Marie Failinger, Hamline University School of Law; Dr. Etienne Lepicard, Dr. Mithkal Natour, Qadi Ahmad Natour, and Daniel Rossing. The program included tours examining the origins of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities in Jerusalem. The tours were conducted by Ophir Yarden and Mithkal Natour. Outside visitors also made three or four presentations each year. Among the visitors were young Arab lawyers, women rabbinic court pleaders, an expert on Bedouin culture, and the director of an Arab battered women's shelter. The program was directed by Professor Cobin.
In the fall of 2001 program organizers decided to expand the program to six credits and add a new course, Conflict Resolution in the Religious Traditions and Modern Israel. The intention was to run a six-week program with each course receiving two credits. New faculty, Professor Gerald Steinberg, Professor Marc Gopin, and Michael Tsur, agreed to participate. The onset of intefada forced the organizers to cancel the summer, 2001 program. The same conditions forced cancellation of the 2002 program. No program was planned in 2003.
J-TERM STUDY ABROAD
In the fall of 2003 program organizers decided to pursue a variation of the original program: A two or three credit program in January was proposed, focusing on conflict resolution in religious traditions. The original conflict resolution faculty agreed to participate and Hebrew University agreed to host the program. The new program is currently titled, The Hamline-Hebrew University Program on Conflict Resolution from Religious Traditions and operated for the first time from January 3 through 13, 2005. Nine American law students participated, six from Hamline University School of Law, and three from other US law schools. In 2006, 18 individuals participated in the program, including 9 Hamline law students, 2 students from other US law schools, a graduate student in dispute resolution, a rabbi, a retired law librarian, and 4 Australian students. In January of 2007, 22 people joined the program, including 12 Hamline law students, 5 students from other US law schools, a rabbi and 4 Australian students. In January 2008, 21 individuals participated - 10 from Hamline Law, 5 from other US law schools, 5 Australian students and a college professor. In January 2009, enrollment was lower due to the conflict in Gaza, but 15 students attended, 4 from Hamline Law, 5 from other US law schools, 5 Australian students, and a Norwegian student.
Past participants write of the value of the program:
"I was quite overwhelmed by the status and expertise of our guest speakers and felt rather honored that they could make time to speak with us. I really felt like the amount and quality of the lecture/content was just outstanding." Participant, January 2007
"I thought I would learn about conflict but not at this level. The expertise of the teachers was outstanding. It was not hearsay. It was all from practitioners who had learned professionally and knew their subjects practically. I was very, very impressed and go back a changed person from the heart and mind towards conflict resolution and people in general." Participant, January 2007
"This program went beyond my expectations which were already set very high. I wanted to understand, from my own perspective and observations, the conflict in the Middle East. I've understood that it can't be simplified and attempts at breaking it down into rational issues don't contemplate the many layers of complexity and identity. This is a life-learning experience that I am valuing very highly." Participant, January 2006.
"The course was truly excellent, and it exceeded my expectations substantially. I found all of the lecturers to be extremely engaging and able to be both critical and, at the same time, involved in the conflicts studied. The discussions of practical application of conflict resolution theory and personal experience were particularly engaging and well done." Participant, January 2006
"The course and material was presented in various different ways, all of which included a knowledgeable, passionate, and unique approach to the disparate religions in Israel. I particularly benefited from the exercises conducted by Michael Tsur. The practicality was an important component to help in processing and retaining all of the information obtained. The breadth of experience & knowldge was phenomenal, and was definitely a once in a lifetime experience." Participant, January 2005.
"I would recommend this program without reservation. It has been one of the best educational experiences I've had. It's given me an entirely new perspective on the complexities of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Traveling to Israel for this course was absolutely the ideal situation to travel to the Holy Land because unlike a religious pilgrimage it stressed Jerusalem's significance for Muslims, Jews & Christians." Participant, January 2005.
“ Being immersed in another culture was probably the most significant learning experience I had. It illustrated how people around the globe address many of the same issues we face in the US.It offered a playground for comparison and consideration of complex issues.It reaffirmed my belief in the importance of civic engagement, but most of all, it afforded me the opportunity to appreciate, on a new level, my role as a citizen of the world.”
Elizabeth Koenig, summer 1998