Join us at this week's meeting of the Philosophy Club virtually or in-person (Auerbach 320) this Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 1 p.m.—2 p.m. as CETA professor and longtime philosophy club member Dr. Akram Abu-Aisheh presents on life in Hebron on the West Bank in Palestine.
OVERVIEW
Hebron is an ancient city located in the southern West Bank, situated in the Judean Mountains about 30 kilometers (19 miles) south of Jerusalem. It sits roughly 3,000 feet above sea level and is currently the largest Palestinian city and commercial capital of the West Bank.
Hebron is exceptionally important because it is considered one of the Four Holy Cities in Judaism (alongside Jerusalem, Tiberias, and Safed) and holds deep religious, historical, and geopolitical significance for Jews, Muslims, and Christians alike.
At the heart of Hebron's importance is the Cave of the Patriarchs (known in Judaism as Me'arat HaMachpelah and in Islam as the Ibrahimi Mosque or Sanctuary of Abraham).
The Burial Site of Founders: According to biblical tradition, this cave is the final resting place of the central patriarchs and matriarchs of the monotheistic faiths: Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, and Jacob and Leah.
The First Land Purchase: In the Book of Genesis, Abraham purchases this cave and the surrounding land to bury his wife, Sarah. This is traditionally revered as the very first piece of land owned by the Jewish people in the Promised Land.
Our own Dr. Abu-Aisheh was himself born in Hebron, back when it was legally still being counted as part of Jordan. On account on this, Dr. Abu-Aisheh is officially Jordanian. But in his heart he knows what it means to be from Hebron and he wants to share with us what it is actually like for Palestinians who live and make their homes there.
It is not a pretty picture- in fact, it is one of ongoing terror and disruption at the hands of a de facto occupying Israeli force that seems to have no interest in peacekeeping.
Keep in mind that Hebron is in the West Bank, and the West Bank is not a part of Gaza, with which Israel has been officially at war. So the big question is, what is going on in places like Hebron in the West Bank? Why the violence? Why the terror? Why the disruption?
ABOUT Dr. Akram Abu-Aisheh
Akram Abu-Aisheh, PhD, MS, BSEE is a professor of electrical and computer engineering and ECE graduate program director at the University of Hartford. He was the Assistant Chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department for two years. Professor Abu-Aisheh's research interests include fiber optic communications and power electronics. His specific research has included Fiber Optic and RF Communications, Photovoltaic and Hybrid LED-Based Illumination Systems, Photonics, Engineering Education, and Power Electronics.
Questions? Contact Brian Shelly at bskelly@hartford.edu or 413.273.2273.
An ongoing weekly tradition at the University since 2001, the University of Hartford Philosophy Club is a place where students, professors, and people from the community at large meet as peers. Sometimes presentations are given, followed by discussion. Other times, topics are hashed out by the whole group.
Presenters may be students, professors, or people from the community. Anyone can offer to present a topic. The mode of presentation may be as formal or informal as the presenter chooses.
Come live or join online! Invite friends. Suggest topics and activities. Take over the club! It belongs to you!