AMERICAN PROFESSOR INSPIRED BY VISIT TO GIVAT HAVIVA

AMERICAN PROFESSOR INSPIRED BY VISIT TO GIVAT HAVIVA
Photos and text: Lydia Aisenberg
Professor Binyamin (Barry) Mehler and wife Caryn take a break at the Givat Haviva memorial to Haviva Reik and
right: view the Peace Tree on the central lawn during their recent visit
Professor Binyamin Mehler, Director of the Institute for the Study of Academic Racism at the Ferris State
University College of Arts and Sciences, and his wife Caryn, recently paid a visit to Givat Haviva.
Apart from his academic role, Professor Mehler is also a freelance writer who has been associated with Israel
Horizons Magazine and other publications and a long time supporter of the work carried out by Givat Haviva.
In a pre-arranged visit the Mehler’s were able to get to know the physical layout of the campus whilst hearing an
in-depth explanation of the shared communities and myriad of other projects and activities emanating from the
1949 founded campus.
A visit to the Peace Library and viewing of the unique collection of Arabic language newspapers with Dudu Amitai,
director of Yad Yaari and Givat Haviva spokesperson, impromptu meetings on campus byways with staff members
and a chat with Intensive Arabic Semester director Hilit Ben-Zvi before the couple took time out and about on
their own, left the Mehler’s with much food for thought and a lengthy video film to edit once home.
Dudu Amitai, Caryn and Professor Mehler viewing Arabic language newspapers from the 30s and 40s and right:
Dudu explains about the ongoing collection of Arabic language newspaper clippings of the library
The Mehler’s also intend to put together a slide show on Givat Haviva which they hope to present on campus in
the US and also are hoping to present their video/slides at Blossoming Rose, a Christian organization that runs
several programs in Israel.
“My hope is to gain some support among Christian groups in our area for your enterprise and in this regard Caryn
and I will also be looking to publish our article in a Christian publication as well as a Jewish publication,” explained
Professor Mehler.
“I am also representing my university which has asked me to explore possible joint projects with Israeli
institutions. I am going to be organizing summer study abroad programs to take small groups of Ferris students to
Israel for two weeks and I would like very much to bring those students to the Givat Haviva campus and will be
discussing this with m Vice President for Academic Affairs upon my return when we will be discussing the results
of our trip.”
** Following their return to the States, Professor Mehler emailed Lydia Aisenberg the following:
“Our visit to Givat Haviva was the highlight of our time in the north. It was the first inspiring moment when Caryn
felt that this might be a place she could call home,” wrote Professor Mehler who had mentioned that he and his
wife were contemplating making their home in Israel.
“We are astonished by the amazing energy and the eloquence of the stories you had to tell. The two trees you
introduced us to (a 70 year-old eucalyptus on campus and the 100 year-old eucalyptus that after being blown over
in a storm was sculptured and became the Givat Haviva Peace Tree on the main lawn) will remain vivid memories
for us.
We regret we had such a short time, but when we begin our plans for a return perhaps we will contemplate
joining the Intensive Arabic Program which sounds so incredibly exciting.
I have been a supporter of Givat Haviva for over thirty years, but it is inspiring to be able to see all the energy and
good work you accomplish.
I was frankly worried that all the bad news and terrible trends and the negativity might have damped the
enthusiasm and optimism that I wrote about over twenty years ago. Instead I find Givat Haviva thriving despite
everything. Caryn and I are now united in our desire to help you in every way we can.
Toddah Rabbah.”
Riad Kabha, Director of the Givat Haviva Jewish-Arab Center for Peace, Professor Mehler, Hilit Ben-Zvi, Director of
the International Department and Givat Haviva-Masa Intensive Arabic Semester, Galit Kelner, Director of the
Arabic Language and Middle East Studies Center, and Haggai Halevi, Executive Director, Givat Haviva
Caryn and Professor Mehler with Farhat Agbaria, Director of a number of Shared Communities projects, Tariq
Younes, Givat Haviva Systems Manager and Etti Amram, Director of the Givat Haviva Art Center and Peace Gallery
January, 2012