Scholars as Bridge Builders

Program Overview

JCRC-NY’s Scholars as Bridge Builders was launched in November 2014 to promote nuanced discussions about Israel among college and university faculty and administrators in the New York metropolitan area. Since its inception, the program has engaged over 2,550 NYC faculty members, diversity and student affairs professionals, and experts in the field in its various activities, creating a network of individuals willing to be part of these important discussions.

We recognize the value of cultivating relationships with faculty members and creating nuanced discussions on issues that, more often than not, stand at the core of public discourse inside and outside campuses. As the “permanent residents” on campus, academics can have a significant influence on students and the public. Through our Academic Panels/Roundtables with Israeli and Palestinian speakers, Courses, Workshops, and Seminars, and Academic Study Tours to Israel, this program brings discussions about Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to the campuses, taking into account the many complexities of the subject. We work to proactively create programs on the most complicated and conflicting issues related to Israel as we believe those can positively change the current discourse which is, at times, toxic and unintentionally limits free inquiry and academic freedom.

Academic Panels/Roundtables

The Scholars as Bridge Builders program works to create complex and nuanced discussions about Israel on campus by bringing in Israeli and Palestinian speakers on a variety of topics related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Learn more.

Courses, Workshops, and Seminars

The Scholars as Bridge Builders program offers in depth academic engagements through courses, workshops, and seminars. Learn more.

Academic Study Tours to Israel

This seven-day Study Tour to Israel and the Palestinian Territories is for about fifteen (15) faculty members, mainly from the Social Sciences and Humanities departments or for diversity officers and student life professionals of NYC colleges and universities to Israel and Palestine. The Study Tours are designed to familiarize participants with Israel and explore the roles that higher education, specifically faculty members, can play in community relations and peace building. Learn more.

Educational Webinars

Online WebinarsSince the start of global social distancing, the Scholars as Bridge Builders program is holding a series of webinars that aims to continue the conversation around Israel-Palestine. Learn more.