No issue has dominated the world’s continuous attention over the past 70 years more than the Arab/Israeli dilemma. Since the founding of Israel in 1948 there have been multiple wars, conferences, and refugees. This course will look at the historic background behind the Arab and Israeli claims for the land known as Palestine up to World War II. The intention is to clarify the impact of World War I which turned a dispute based on factual realities into one dominated by partisan fears and passion.

Please note: This class is offered through our collaboration with the Widener University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. There is an extra Widener course registration cost of $30.00 per person.

About the instructor: Jeff Heim

Jeff Heim teaches lifelong learning courses at Widener University, Immaculata University, as well as with other local organizations. He earned his B.S. in secondary education and an M.A. in ancient/medieval history from Penn State University and an M.A. in British colonial history with an emphasis on India from Temple University. For 37 years he taught high school students in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Recognizing his work and study with Arabic novels, India, and a Middle East Conference for teachers, he has been awarded fellowships from the National Endowment for Humanities, the Fulbright Program, and the Annenberg Foundation.