Past

"Premier" Israeli Dance Performance “Premier” is a solo dance choreographed by Elad Schechter, founder and principal choreographer of c.a.t.a.m.o.n., for Rand Zeid Taha, a Jerusalem born Palestinian dancer. This interreligious and intercultural dialogue through dance negotiates the sociopolitical tensions and rifts evoked by east/west Jerusalem through the expressive forms of dance and movement. View a […]

You’re invited to screen The Museum and then join the film’s creator, Ran Tal, and Israel Museum's Senior Curator of Israeli Art, Amitai Mendelsohn  for an in-depth discussion on the Museum's central role in the narrative of the nation. Sitting high on the brow of a Jerusalem hill directly opposite the Knesset, housing one of the […]

Join Tel Aviv University Professor Yuval Gadot (lead archaeologist at the "City of David" and head of the Department of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures) and UC San Diego Professor Tom Levy (Norma Kershaw Chair in the Archaeology of Ancient Israel and Neighboring Lands) for an in depth discussion of the excavation's latest discoveries in this contested […]

Over this past week, we've watched the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza, resulting in terrible loss of life, disruption, and destruction. At the same time, civil unrest has emerged primarily in Israel’s more diverse cities, uncovering deeply-rooted anger, inequities, fear and trauma. Many observers believe this development is the more […]

You’re invited to the MGSDII's first in-person event since the start of the pandemic - enjoy a private screening of Israeli short movies on the Leichtag Commons Farmhouse lawn. Bring your own picnic dinner and movie snacks to this socially-distanced safe event. Arrive at 6:30 p.m. for picnic, films start at 8:00 p.m. Limited spots. To register for this event, […]

We invite you to an intimate cocktails and small plates dinner reception to welcome three of the six 2021-2022 Visiting Israeli Professors. Join us as we introduce Ori Elon, creator of Shtisel, Meir Litvak, professor of Mid-East and Israeli-Arab Relations, and Mor Shilon, professor of Urban Studies and Planning. This event is exclusively for university […]

For the past three years, the MGSDII has funded a University of San Diego- Azrieli College of Engineering: Water Innovation professor-led student collaboration. This permanent USD course explores Israel’s innovation in water engineering. Students learn first-hand the similarities between California and Israel, a leading expert in sustainability and innovation. The Azrieli students will be visiting […]

Join the MGSDII and the creator of the smash Netflix series Shtisel for an intimate look into the making of the show. Together, we will visit the Geula neighborhood of Jerusalem with the man behind the stories! VIP boxed supper and meet and greet: 5:00 p.m. PDT Seating for general admission opens: 6:00 p.m. PDT […]

Anti-Semitism is at near historic levels across the globe, including in the United States. Meir Litvak (MGSDII Visiting Professor) will speak about Modern Islamist anti-Semitism and its effect on global perceptions of Israel in the changing Middle East. He will be joined by renowned scholar Jonathan Sarna, expert in American anti-Semitism, as they discuss global […]

Join the MGSDII and the creator of the new Netflix series What Happened in Oslo (additional trailer HERE) for a behind-the-scenes look into the making of the show, a political thriller, whose story originates at the Oslo Accords. Ronit will speak about her current series, as well as Israeli Television, and her role as one […]