David Ben-Gurion dreamed of creating a Hebrew Oxford in the Negev as a modern Hebrew Yavneh.

Home to the Ben-Gurion Research Institute for the Study of Israel and Zionism, Heksherim – the Research Institute for Jewish and Israeli Literature and Culture, and the Goldstein-Goren Department of Jewish Thought, BGU is uniquely positioned to promote the interdisciplinary study of Israel, Jewish culture and thought.

Ben-Gurion University is leading the way in the academic exploration of the founding and development of the State of Israel, the re-birth of the Hebrew language, and the connection between culture and community in Jewish and Israeli society.

“We ask questions about Judaism the same way you’d ask questions about literature, language and the natural sciences.”
– Prof. Uri Erlich, BGU’s Goldstein-Goren Department of Jewish Thought

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Israel Studies, Culture & Jewish Thought News

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A4BGU’s CEO Shares His Views on 21st-Century Zionism

May 31, 2023

Tags: Israel Studies, Culture & Jewish Thought

The Jerusalem Post — In the 21st century, as Israel turns 75, how can Zionism most strongly resonate with the
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Times of Israel: A4BGU CEO Pens Op-ed on Israel at 75

April 18, 2023

Tags: Israel Studies, Culture & Jewish Thought, Leadership, Awards & Events

A4BGU CEO Doug Seserman asks: How should we celebrate the modern state’s milestone 75th anniversary, especially in a time of historic controversy?

JNS: Archaeologists Find 2,200-Year-Old Lead Bullet

December 12, 2022

Tags: Israel Studies, Culture & Jewish Thought, Social Sciences & Humanities

Israeli researchers discover a lead projectile dating from 2,200 years ago during the Hellenistic period, in the ancient palace at Yavne, Israel.