Pre-conference events take place Sunday, September 7, 2025 at the University of Haifa, Hecht Arts Center.

AIS Board Meeting and Visit to Haifa Municipality

Online meeting and Sunday, September 7, 2025 evening event at the Haifa municipality. By invitation only, for members of the Board of Directors of the Association for Israel Studies.

Graduate Student Workshop

Sunday, September 7, 2025. 11:30 - 17:30 plus evening event at the Haifa municipality. RSVPs required.

Chair: Amit Levy, University of Haifa, amitlevy87@gmail.com.

The workshop will include lunch and a:

• Panel discussion with managing editors of leading journals in the field of Israel Studies
  
  
• Hands-on session with recent recipients of prestigious postdoctoral fellowships in Israel, Europe, and the U.S.
  
  
• Practical guidance and exercises to help you strengthen your networking skills

In addition, all workshop participants are warmly invited to a celebratory buffet dinner (standing tables) at Haifa City Hall, hosted by the Mayor of Haifa and the AIS Board — a unique opportunity to meet and mingle with leading figures in the field of Israel Studies. The evening will include the opening of a new exhibition on Haifa and its role in the Israeli imagination, followed by an academic panel discussion.

RSVPs for September

Schedule

11:30–12:00  Registration 

12:00–12:30  Welcome and Opening Conversation

• Prof. Zohar Segev, Dean of Humanities, University of Haifa

12:30–13:15  Lunch + First Networking Session

13:15–14:30  Panel: Publishing in Israel Studies – A Conversation with Managing Editors

• Dr. Nimrod Lin (Tel Aviv University), Managing Editor, Journal of Israeli History
• Dr. Oren Kalman (Ben-Gurion University), Managing Editor and Deputy Editor, Iyunim: Multidisciplinary Studies in Israeli and Modern Jewish Society 

14:30–15:00  Coffee Break + Second Networking Session

15:00–17:00  Postdoctoral and Career Opportunities: Panel and Hands-On Session

• Dr. Lily Eilan (University of Heidelberg)
• Dr. Netta Schramm (Ben-Zvi Institute / Ben-Gurion University)
• Dr. Matan Boord, (Harvard University / Bar-Ilan University)

17:30 Departure by Shuttle to Evening Event and Light Dinner at Haifa City Hall

The Soul of Haifa: Identity, Heritage and Urban Renewal
Public Event at Haifa City Hall, Hassan Shuqri St. 14, Haifa

Exhibition on The Soul of the City: Changing Images of Haifa in Historical Photo Books
Curator: Nir Ratzkovsky, Program in Cultural Studies, University of Haifa

Schedule
18:30 Reception and Light Dinner
19:00 Program

Chair: Yossi Ben-Artzi, Department of Israel Studies, University of Haifa

The Vision for Haifa and the Challenges of Its Implementation
Ariel Wurtzman, Architect and Outgoing City Engineer, Haifa Municipality

Urban Renewal in Haifa: Citywide Challenges and Opportunities
Irit Zaretsky-Harel, Department of Architecture, School of Design and Education, University of Haifa

Has Haifa’s Unique Architectural Heritage Been Preserved Amidst the Rush for Development?
Walid Karkabi, Architect and former Head of the Preservation Department, Haifa Municipality