Homburger Jacobs Contemporary Jewish Issues Lecture Series

With antisemitism on the rise in the U.S. and Europe, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life is honored to present the Homburger Jacobs Contemporary Jewish Issues Lecture Series, an initiative focused on raising awareness of current antisemitism and how to prevent it. Speakers will also discuss Jewish values, history, and how these concepts and issues relate/pertain to maintaining a democracy and the rule of law in the U.S.
The Homburger Endowment Fund

On February 23, 2021, Ithaca College was pleased to acknowledge a generous donation from Eve Homburger 77', Bradley Jacobs, and Marc Homburger Jacobs to establish the endowed Homburger Jacobs Contemporary Jewish Issues Lecture Series. In honor of their parents, Lore and Fred Homburger, and grandparents, Selma and Harry Jacobs, the fund will support a lecture series focusing on contemporary Jewish issues.

The inaugural lecturer for the Homburger Jacobs Contemporary Jewish Issues Lecture Series was Ashager Araro, an Instagram Influencer and the founder of Battae Ethiopian Israeli Heritage Center.  Araro spoke about antisemitism in social media, how we can fight against racism and antisemitism in our communities, and her identity as a black Jewish Israeli woman. The lecture was followed by a 30-minute Q&A and a dessert reception for all in attendance. We are also grateful to Ithaca College's Hillel for partnering with us and helping make this event possible. 

Image of woman wearing black dress with cork board background

Ashagar Araro

Ashager Araro, an Ethiopian activist, was born in Gondar, Ethiopia, and immigrated to Israel as an infant during the 1991 “Operation Solomon. Araro grew up in central Israel and is one of eight siblings. Araro excelled in her military service in the Israeli Defense Forces, where she rose to the rank of Lieutenant in the Paratroopers Brigade. Following her military service, Araro studied government, diplomacy, and strategy at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya, which enabled her to pursue a career in Public Diplomacy. Araro's career has brought her to countries throughout Europe, North America, and Africa, where she has engaged audiences on issues pertinent to Israel and the Jewish people. Alongside her fulfilling work in public diplomacy, Araro has recently established an Ethiopian Heritage center called Bettea.

Learn more about Ashager's work in Israeli and how she's telling the story of her people through her work at Battae, an Ethiopian Heritage center in the heart of Tel Aviv.