This week, Professor Roy Holler will present mutual research conducted with fellow Shorstein Center Professor Iris Cohen at the 41st Annual Conference of the Association of Israel Studies, held at the University of Haifa. The Association for Israel Studies conference is the world’s leading scholarly gathering on Israel, bringing together researchers and educators from around the globe.
Their session, “War Transforms Culture: Shaping the Teaching of Hebrew and Israel Studies in the Department of Jewish Studies at the University of Florida After October 7,” explores how the tragic events of October 7 have reshaped the way Hebrew and Israel studies are taught. Holler and Cohen highlight how the Bud Shorstein Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Florida has responded with critical pedagogy and a spirit of activism, creating space for dialogue, sensitivity, and new ways of learning.
The faculty members share how their work spans four interconnected areas:
- In the classroom, students are encouraged to think critically though narrative analysis, multilingual discussion, and student-driven projects.
- At the departmental level, faculty collaborate to adapt courses to shifting realities while staying rooted in strong educational values.
- Across the university, open dialogue and interdisciplinary support help bring students and faculty together.
- In the community, partnerships and cultural initiatives provide opportunities for student activism both locally and abroad.
Their work shows how higher education can bridge divides, empower students, and transform difficult moments into opportunities for growth, collaboration, and lasting societal impact.