Scholar speaks twice Jan. 21

By JEWISH REVIEW

article created on: 2009-01-15T00:00:00

When Israel sent out a call in May of 1967 to young Jews around the world to assist the Jewish state in a then looming war, Paul Liptz took a leave of absence from his post at an international trading company in what was then called Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and headed for the Promised Land.

He arrived on June 4, one day before the outbreak of the Six-Day War.

Afterwards, he decided to stay on in Israel, where he studied at the Hebrew University before moving to Tel Aviv University where he lectured for 35 years. His main topics dealt with Arab women and nationalism in the Middle East.

Now, Liptz is coming to Portland to share his long perspective on Middle East affairs with audiences here.

In an event made possible by donors to the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, Liptz will speak at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center Jan. 21. His 7-9 p.m. remarks will address the strategic challenges facing Israel.

Earlier that day, he will speak at Portland State University in an appearance sponsored by the Greater Portland Hillel and the Schnitzer Family Program in Judaic Studies at PSU. The brown-bag lunch affair is scheduled for noon. E-mail Rachel@pdxhillel.org to RSVP and for room location.

Both events are free and open to the public.

In addition to his long tenure at Tel Aviv University, Liptz has taught for more than 15 years at the Jerusalem campus of the Union of Reform Judaism’s Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, where he lectures on modern Jewish history, Israeli society and politics of the Middle East.

In a recent widely praised series of 10 lectures published on the Internet, Liptz made this comment about the long conflict in the Middle East: “In Arabic there is a pivotal expression that dominates the hearts and minds of millions—‘In Sha’a allah.’ The way one hears this term is vital. Is it ‘If God/Allah Wills’ OR ‘This is God’s Will?’

“The subtle difference enables millions of people to claim that what they are doing is because it is ‘Allah’s wish and demand’—as if the human merely performs the Almighty’s wishes and plays no role in the decision-making.”

Liptz believes that humans can and do play a role.

“The challenge in the Middle East,” he concluded, “is to search desperately for those components which will enable everyone to live better lives and one cannot simply hand over such a critical issue to one group’s interpretation of their Almighty’s alleged will.

For more information about Liptz’s appearance at the MJCC, contact JFGP Community Relations Director Bob Horenstein at 503-245-6496 or by e-mail at bob@jewishportland.org.

For more information about Liptz’s appearance at PSU, contact Greater Portland Hillel Director Aaron Pearlman at 503-810-1208 or by e-mail at aaron@pdxhillel.org.

While in Portland Liptz also will meet with the JFGP Leadership Council.