Wise Israel: Exploring the Past to Understand the Present
Sunday, November 16, 2025 • 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
This event is for CRS members only.
Israel’s most urgent challenges didn’t begin with the headlines—they’re rooted in decades of history shaped by both truth and fiction. In this introductory class, we’ll examine how Israel arrived at key moments of conflict, controversy, and transformation by uncovering the deeper stories behind today’s flashpoints. Together, we’ll work to understand these issues from multiple perspectives—Jewish, Arab, Israeli, diaspora—and push ourselves to step beyond the American lens.
This class invites thoughtful, respectful conversation in pursuit of a more honest and nuanced understanding of Israel—past and present. It’s the first in a larger series of conversations at CRS, creating space to explore Israel with honesty, curiosity, and care.
Taught by Dan Feferman:
Dan Feferman is a speaker, thought leader, activist, and researcher on Israel, the Jewish world, and the Middle East. He has published widely, appeared in media, and speaks globally, known for presenting complex issues with clarity and depth.
Dan is the co-founder and co-editor-in-chief of MiddleEast 24, a new Middle East media initiative. He was previously Executive Director of Sharaka, where he now serves as a co-chair. A former fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, Dan authored major studies on Jewish identity in Israel and the U.S., along with numerous policy papers.
A Major (res.) in the Israel Defense Forces, he served as a foreign policy and national security analyst and intelligence officer specializing in Middle East affairs. Dan holds a BA in International Politics and Middle East Studies from American University and an MA in Security Studies from Tel Aviv University.
This event is for CRS members only.
Israel’s most urgent challenges didn’t begin with the headlines—they’re rooted in decades of history shaped by both truth and fiction. In this introductory class, we’ll examine how Israel arrived at key moments of conflict, controversy, and transformation by uncovering the deeper stories behind today’s flashpoints. Together, we’ll work to understand these issues from multiple perspectives—Jewish, Arab, Israeli, diaspora—and push ourselves to step beyond the American lens.
This class invites thoughtful, respectful conversation in pursuit of a more honest and nuanced understanding of Israel—past and present. It’s the first in a larger series of conversations at CRS, creating space to explore Israel with honesty, curiosity, and care.
Taught by Dan Feferman:
Dan Feferman is a speaker, thought leader, activist, and researcher on Israel, the Jewish world, and the Middle East. He has published widely, appeared in media, and speaks globally, known for presenting complex issues with clarity and depth.
Dan is the co-founder and co-editor-in-chief of MiddleEast 24, a new Middle East media initiative. He was previously Executive Director of Sharaka, where he now serves as a co-chair. A former fellow at the Jewish People Policy Institute, Dan authored major studies on Jewish identity in Israel and the U.S., along with numerous policy papers.
A Major (res.) in the Israel Defense Forces, he served as a foreign policy and national security analyst and intelligence officer specializing in Middle East affairs. Dan holds a BA in International Politics and Middle East Studies from American University and an MA in Security Studies from Tel Aviv University.
