Committed to providing accurate information on the situation in Israel, and fostering informed support for Israel in the community The Israel Committee of Santa Barbara was established in the summer of 2006, during the second Lebanon war between Israel and Hezbollah. Concerned with the unfair and misleading nature of the media coverage at that time, and with no one in Santa Barbara formally addressing the issue, a small group of friends came together to talk about the problem and see if they could find ways to address it. The result was the Israel Committee of Santa Barbara, an autonomous ad hoc group formed to provide accurate information on the situation in Israel, and to foster informed support for Israel in the community. Chief amongst the Israel Committee’s early goals was to facilitate effective responses to anti-Israel bias in the media and other public forums. Another key objective was to provide opportunities for nuanced study and dialogue on important issues and topics related to Israel. Below: Dov Waxman, Professor of Political Science, Israel Studies and Jewish Historical and Cultural Studies at Northeastern University, and Co-Director of Northeastern’s Middle East Center, one of the 2016 Keynote Speakers discussing “Israel’s PalestinianArab Minority: A Bridge or Barrier to Peace?”
The Israel Committee subsequently presented its first communitywide Teach-In on Israel in the fall of 2006. The community’s response to this new Israel-centric event was incredibly strong and supportive. The Israel Committee members quickly determined that the Teach-In on Israel should be offered as an annual community-wide event. The Teach-In on Israel blossomed into a full day event, providing an enjoyable and stimulating opportunity for the community to come together, and to hear from internationally renowned experts, including scholars, policy makers, journalists, lawyers, historians, religious leaders, authors, musicians, and filmmakers. The annual event includes multiple keynote speakers followed by a robust Q&A, and breakout sessions for more intimate learning and sharing on the most pressing issues facing Israel. Hundreds of community members and UCSB/SBCC students attend each year to become more knowledgeable about Israel and its complexities, and to enjoy this special day together. The Israel Committee plans to present this year’s Teach-In on Israel on November 15, 2020, at Hillel Santa Barbara, COVID-19 permitting. And just in case, the Israel Committee is planning for remote / virtual viewing options for those unable to attend in person, or if circumstances dictate that a live event cannot be held. In light of the ongoing pandemic and anticipating our inability to convene as a community, the Israel Committee this year plans to introduce a series of online lectures / webinars focusing on Israel-related issues and topics. For website information please refer to the Shalom Santa Barbara Community Directory. The Israel Committee is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies on community support to keep the annual Teach-In on Israel free and available to all. The Israel Committee is grateful for the support it receives directly from community members, the Community Shul of Montecito and Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Hillel, the Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara, and Congregation B’nai B’rith.
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2020–2021 | SHALOM SANTA BARBARA | 51
