Dr. Maya Negev is a professor of Public Health at the University of Haifa, the head of the Health Systems Policy Program and the Climate and Health Resilience Lab.

Maya’s reflections:

In August, I arrived in San Diego to teach Israeli climate change policy courses at the SDSU School of Public Health and Department of Geography. It quickly became apparent that most students have had limited exposure to Israeli issues outside of social media, and are keen to learn more about the region. Several students with Middle Eastern backgrounds, including those from Iraq, often stay after class to chat. These conversations have fostered a sense of mutual understanding.

The faculty and students are incredibly welcoming. After my first class, a student approached me to share her challenging experiences as a Jewish student on campus last year and expressed appreciation for the nuanced perspectives I bring, particularly when discussing case studies from the Israeli-Palestinian context. In Geography, students have conveyed their interest in learning about the Middle East, a region they feel they know little about. They’re excited by the chance to engage with prominent Israeli and Palestinian scholars and environmental leaders via Zoom. Recently, we had the privilege of hosting former Knesset Member and environmental leader Prof. Alon Tal, as well as Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed, Director of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, among others. The students ask thoughtful, insightful questions and receive responses that broaden their understanding. I am very hopeful from my experience that when students have access to education about Israel and the region, through expert academics, we can create a shared hope for peace in the region.