From the Heart of Israel: Reflections on Resilience and Strength

Join the Springfield JCC for a morning with Professor Ilan Troen as he shares his firsthand account of Israel’s October 7 terrorist attacks where his daughter and son-in-law were murdered. A distinguished historian of Israel and Jewish studies and resident of Beer-Sheva, Professor Troen will contextualize the complications in the aftermath of October 7 for all of us -- Jews in Israel and in North America. Ilan Troen is professor emeritus of the Sam and Anna Lopin Chair of Modern History at Ben-Gurion University (BGU) of the Negev and of the Stoll Family Chair in Israel Studies at Brandeis University. Troen has served as a founding dean at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and in various capacities in academic associations in Israel and abroad, and in 2023 was awarded its Lifetime Achievement Award by the international Association of Israel Studies. He was invited by Brandeis University to share BGU's experience in developing the field of Israel Studies. Troen is the author or editor of numerous books in American, Jewish, and Israeli history. Troen was born in Boston, educated at the Latin School, Hebrew College, Brandeis, and Hebrew University in Jerusalem before taking his PhD at the University of Chicago. Pre-registration is required for this free event. For questions, contact Rabbi Alana Wasserman, PJ Library and Jewish Engagement Coordinator by emailing awasserman@springfieldjcc.org or by calling 413-739-4715 x316.