Dear Friend of the Helen Diller Institute

This fall has brought significant challenges and numerous opportunities for reflection. Against the backdrop of a complex and painful global moment, the work of the Institute feels especially urgent. Our mission to create spaces for meaningful dialogue, open inquiry, and rigorous scholarship on Israel and contemporary Jewish topics continues to serve as our north star.

This semester, our programs explore themes that speak to the complexities of the current moment, including examinations of the Israel–Gaza war and its far-reaching impacts, and the newly emerging possibility of a ceasefire. We’ve convened conversations with former world leaders, journalists, and policy analysts such as Ehud Olmert, Nasser Al-Kidwa, and David Horovitz, as part of our commitment to informed dialogue. At the same time, our ongoing Cinema Series and Literary Series invite reflection through storytelling and cultural expression.

We’ve also welcomed our 2025–26 visiting faculty and scholars, and embraced a new cohort of student fellows, whose energy and curiosity continue to remind us of the vital role we play in nurturing future leaders.

Your support strengthens this mission and our ability to hold space for students in uncertain times. Once again, thank you for being a part of our community.

Warmly,

Rebecca Golbert PhD MDRExecutive Director Helen Diller Institute for Jewish Law and Israel Studies

2025–2026 Visiting Faculty and

Scholars from Israel

The Helen Diller Institute warmly welcomes our visitors from Israel. This year's visitors are teaching and conducting research across a range of departments, including Film & Media, Geography, Comparative Literature, Jewish Studies, and Legal Studies. Click here to see full bios.

From left to right: Visiting Faculty members Ayelet Blecher-Prigat, Aner Preminger, Yifat Moas, Noah Hysler Rubin, and Daniel Levy in conversation at the Helen Diller Institute Faculty Forum (September 2025).

2025–2026 Helen Diller Institute Courses

israel studies minor and 2024 to 2025 courses

Fall 2025

Comparative Constitutional Law: The Case of Israel (Ayelet Blecher-Prigat, Academic Center for Law and Science)

In Search of Lost Time: Memory in Legal Principle and Practice (Daniel Levy, Reichman University)

Global Cinema: Israeli Cinema and Media Cultures (Aner Preminger, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem & Sapir Academic College)

Digital Cinema Production: Wo.man with a Movie Camera (Aner Preminger)

Pack Light: Traversing Translation & Hebrew Literature (Yael Segalovitz, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev)

How Modernity Shaped the Landscape: East, West, and the Cities of Israel/Palestine (Noah Hysler Rubin, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design)

History and Sociology of Modern Israel (Yifat Moas, UC Berkeley)

Mizrahim in Israel: History and Culture (Yifat Moas)

To view a detailed description of fall 2025 courses, click here.

Spring 2026

French New Wave: The Cinema of François Truffaut (Aner Preminger)

Catastrophe: The Jewish Tragic Mode, from Antiquity to Modern Culture (co-taught by Yael Segalovitz and Roni Masel, UC Berkeley)

Social Movements in Israel (Yifat Moas)

Global Mizrahi Culture: Music, Art, and Cinema (Yifat Moas)

Religion and Spirituality in Education: Israeli and American Cases (Hanan Alexander, University of Haifa)

Introduction to Modern Jewish Thought: Faith, Culture, and Education (Hanan Alexander)

Reclaiming Jerusalem: Critical Readings in the Historical Geography of a Contested City (Noah Hysler Rubin)

War in the Middle East (Ron Hassner, UC Berkeley)

Detailed descriptions of spring 2026 courses are coming soon. Stay tuned!

Donor Spotlight: Brian Cohen & Randy Levin-Cohen

A gift in support of HDI’s Undergraduate Fellows Program, made in memory of Carol and Hugh Cohen

Carol Cohen and Brian Cohen pictured together at Machne Yehuda Market in Jerusalem.

The Helen Diller Institute is proud to announce a generous gift from Brian Cohen and Randy Levin-Cohen, made in memory of Brian’s parents, Carol and Hugh Cohen, to strengthen our Undergraduate Fellows Program. This meaningful contribution will help future students engage with complex issues around Israel and Jewish identity. Stay tuned for a donor spotlight on Brian and Randy.