Throughout the trip, the students had opportunities to immerse themselves in the culture of Israel. As part of this ethnic immersion, we enjoyed a dinner in a Druze village.  The Druze religion presented both some familiar elements as well as several that were unique to us. Student Samuel Magnuson recollects the dinner, shares background on the … Continue reading Israel Reflections 2015–Day 5: Dinner in a Druze Village →

Our Wednesday morning in the north of Israel started with a visit to Yardenit, a site at the base of the Sea of Galilee where it meets the Jordan River near the biblical baptism site.  Then we all headed to Haifa University to meet with Professors Orna Einy, Moti Mironi, and Tali Gal–each of whom work … Continue reading Israel Reflections 2015–Day 5: Haifa University and Sulha →

For dinner on our fourth night, we joined lawyers from the region around the Sea of Galilee for a meal and mingling.  Much thanks for the yummy food and company to the partnership between this region in Israel and Milwaukee that sets this up every year.   Many students built professional relationships during this meal, gleaned advice from practitioners and professors, and … Continue reading Israel Reflections 2015–Day Four: Dinner with Lawyers →

After our visit at Tzfat, we took a short bus ride into the northern hills to visit Har Bental, a lookout point on the edge of the Golan Heights.   With a view into Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan, we could all see the importance of geography.  Student Nicholas Sinram shares his experience: One of the many great experiences … Continue reading Israel Reflections 2015–Day Four: Har Bental →

On day four of the trip, we joined Professor Yael Efron’s class at the Tzfat Academic College School of Law for a joint negotiation class.  A close colleague of mine, Yael conducts her class similarly to ours here at Marquette and we were lucky enough to join her on her first day of the semester.   … Continue reading Israel Reflections 2015–Day Four: Class at Tzfat →

While we were in Jerusalem, Sarah Farrukh, our Muslim student was able to go visit the Dome of the Rock.  (Non Muslims are generally not permitted to visit so this was an individual visit.  ) When she rejoined the group in the beautiful traditional garb, she was excited to share her story below: Temple Mount … Continue reading Israel Reflections 2015: Dome of the Rock →

First thing on Tuesday morning, we headed to the Mount of the Beatitudes. While the grounds were among the smallest we visited, the impact the Church of the Beatitudes on the students was among the largest.  Student Natalie Schiferl writes: For those who do not necessarily know the significance of the Mount, it is where … Continue reading Israel Reflections 2015–Day Four: Mount of the Beatitudes →

A highlight of our trip every year is the time we get to spend with Justice Aharon Barak and his wife Judge Elika Barak.  Justice Barak is the former President of the Israeli Supreme Court, hailed as the father of Israel’s constitutional revolution and even cited by Justice Elena Kagan as one of her judicial … Continue reading Israel Reflections 2015: Day Three (almost done)–Dinner at the Baraks →

One of the ways we learned about Israeli society was to spend a few nights at a kibbutz.  A kibbutz is a collective community, traditionally based in agriculture, that was the way many Israelis used to live. Even though the kibbutz life was outside the comfort zones of some students initially, hanging out in the … Continue reading Israel Reflections 2015 (and some April Fools Fun): The Kibbutz →

In one of the more emotional and difficult tours on the trip, we visited Yad Vashem, the Israeli Holocaust Museum and home to the International Institute of Holocaust Research. The museum itself houses hours of historical footage, video interviews, and artifacts, including the famous Hall of Names, a memorial dedicated to remembering each and every person killed … Continue reading Israel Reflections 2015–Day Three: Yad Vashem →