September 9, 2014
MEDIA CONTACT
Sheila Reed § 941-359-4296 § [email protected]
Lifelong Learning Academy Presents
THE ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT:
The 100-Years War in a Twice-Promised Land
November 3 § USF Sarasota-Manatee
This stimulating workshop, presented by archaeologist and historian Steven Derfler, Ph.D, explores how a “twice-promised land” continues to endure cycles of violence.
(Sarasota-Manatee, Florida) Lifelong Learning Academy (LLA) presents renowned archaeologist, historian, and international consultant Dr. Steven Derfler in “The Arab-Israeli Conflict: The 100-Years War in a Twice-Promised Land,” Monday, November 3, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., in Selby Auditorium on the campus of the University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. Tickets are $75 (includes box lunch and afternoon snack); LLA members receive a 10 percent discount. Space is limited. To register, call 941-359-4296.
Derfler is an archaeologist, historian, and international consultant. He has spent more than 35 years uncovering the histories of ancient civilizations and tracing the development of western religions from their roots in the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean counties.
“The state of Israel, for millennia merely a hope in the minds of Jews around the world, became a reality in 1948,” says Derfler. “Finally, after 2,500 years of spiritual Zionism, and only about 55 years after the advent of political Zionism, a state was re-born in the ancient homeland of the Jewish people. Yet this homeland was to be re-established on a twice-promised land. Palestinian and Arab nationalisms were also promised self-determination by the British and her allies during World War I, based on their aid in defeating the Ottoman Empire.”
Derfler explains that his presentation will examine nationalistic movements in the region, analyze Israel’s struggle to survive amidst overwhelming odds, and explore the roots of Palestinian nationalism in the greater Arab world. “From the bold steps taken by Anwar Sadat and Menachem Begin to the Oslo Accords with the Palestinians and peace with King Hussein and Jordan in the mid-1990’s, this workshop will shed new insight on an old, yet evolving, discussion,” says Derfler.
Lifelong Learning Academy offers four course terms per year on the USFSM campus, at 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Most courses last six to eight weeks and classes meet for one hour and 20 minutes each week. This workshop is another component of LLA course offerings, but in a day-long format. For more information about the Lifelong Learning Academy, call 941-359-4296 or visit www.lla-sm.org.
