On Sunday, May 24, the Cotler Institute was honored to host Dr. Sharon Nazarian, an Iranian-American academic and international affairs expert, who spoke with the Fellows about Iranian Jewish identity and the future of the Islamic republic.

Born in Iran and raised in the United States following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Dr. Nazarian has dedicated much of her academic and public work to combatting antisemitism and extremism, Middle Eastern politics, Jewish identity, and intercultural dialogue. She has played a leading role in promoting Israel studies and educational initiatives in both the United States and Israel.

Dr. Nazarian began her lecture with a lively historical overview of the Jewish community within Iranian society, tracing the political and social developments that shaped it until the 1979 Iranian Revolution. Addressing issues of identity and belonging, she explored how Iranian Jews in the diaspora have maintained and navigated their identities and analyzed the complicated realities faced by Jews who continue to live in Iran today. She then provided an assessment of the contemporary geopolitical landscape.

Dr. Nazarian’s talk concluded with an engrossing Question and Answer session with the Cotler Fellows on the Iranian Jewish community, Islamist antisemitism, gender rights, and what’s next for Iran. The fellows, who found the 90-minute lecture exceptionally topical and inspiring and had many more questions, continued the discussion with Dr. Nazarian over pizzas at lunch.

In recent years, Israeli food culture has attracted growing international attention, driven by the global popularity of Mediterranean cuisine, vibrant street food, and plant-based cooking traditions. Dishes such as hummus, shakshuka, sabich, and fresh market-style salads have become staples in restaurants and home kitchens around the world, while Israeli chefs and cookbooks have helped introduce broader audiences to the country’s diverse culinary influences.

In this light, the Cotler Institute invited Mr. Gil Hovav, a leading culinary journalist and TV personality in Israel, to provide the Fellows a hands-on workshop on how to make hummus and a lecture on Israeli cuisine. Blending humor, history, and food, Mr. Hovav opened the session by discussing common misunderstandings surrounding Israeli food and culture. Through stories and anecdotes, he explored how Israeli dishes are often outlined as examples of cultural appropriation, arguing instead that they reflect culinary traditions rooted in the land and deeply intertwined with national identity over time. Central to the discussion was hummus, which Mr. Hovav described not simply as a food but as a cultural institution in Israel. Alongside these insights, he demonstrated how to prepare hummus while inviting participants to taste and to ask questions on a wide range of topics.

Mr. Hovav also spoke about family history, particularly his great-grandfather, Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, and the extraordinary revival of the Hebrew language. The lecture was filled with fascinating, humorous, and at times almost unbelievable stories from Ben-Yehuda’s life journey and his dedicated mission to revive Hebrew in the Jewish homeland—a mission that succeeded in ways few could have imagined. Mr. Hovav illustrated how the revival of modern Hebrew became far more than a linguistic project. It became a story of Jewish survival, unwavering determination, and the success of Zionism itself, what some would even describe as a modern miracle.

On Sunday, May 17, the Cotler Fellows traveled to central and southern Israel for a day exploring the diverse cultural and historical landscapes of the country. The day began with a visit to the Yemenite Heritage Center and the Jewish Communities of Israel Museum in Rehovot. Through the museum’s exhibits, the Fellows learned about the history, traditions, and cultural heritage of Yemenite Jewry, one of the oldest and most distinctive Jewish communities in the diaspora. During the visit, the Fellows met with Mr. Hananya Koresh, the museum’s founder, who spoke about the experiences and hardships faced by Yemenite Jewish immigrants in the early years following the establishment of the State of Israel. The visit provided insight into the community’s journey to Israel and its lasting influence on Israeli society, music, cuisine, and religious life.

Following their time in Rehovot, the Fellows continued south to the coastal city of Ashdod, one of Israel’s most culturally diverse cities and home to communities from across the Jewish diaspora. There, the Fellows visited the Museum of Philistine Culture, where they were introduced to the history of the Philistines, ancient seafaring peoples who settled along the coastal regions of Canaan thousands of years ago.

Afterwards, the Fellows enjoyed a relaxing afternoon at Ashdod’s Mi Ami Beach. Located along the Mediterranean coastline, the beach offered an opportunity to unwind, swim, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the city. Many Fellows explored the nearby promenade and restaurant boulevard, known for its wide range of cuisines reflecting Ashdod’s multicultural character, including influences from North Africa and the Caucasus.

In recent weeks, the Cotler Fellows have participated in a series of lectures examining questions of Arab social and political life in Israel, international law, Holocaust memory, and Israeli national security.

On Sunday, May 3, the Fellows visited Kafr Qasim, an Arab city in central Israel, where they met with Sheikh Safwat Freij, the head of the Islamic Movement in Israel. In a candid and wide-ranging discussion, Sheikh Freij addressed the legacy of the 1956 Kafr Qasim massacre as well as the broader social and political dynamics shaping Arab society and political participation within Israel today. Fellows engaged directly with Sheikh Freij through an extended question-and-answer session, gaining deeper insight into the complexities, tensions, and opportunities in Arab society in Israel.

The following week, on Sunday, May 10, the Fellows participated in a series of lectures focused on international law, Holocaust memory and remembrance, and Israeli security affairs. The day began with a lecture by Miriam Guetta of Haifa University titled “Human Shields in International Law vs. Sharia Law.” Guetta explored how the use of human shields is treated within international humanitarian law and compared these legal frameworks with perspectives found in Islamic jurisprudence. The lecture encouraged Fellows to consider the legal, ethical, and strategic dilemmas associated with modern armed conflict, particularly in the context of asymmetric warfare.

The Fellows then heard a lecture by Dr. Carl Yonker, the Institute’s academic director, on the Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara, who helped thousands of Jewish refugees escape Europe during the Holocaust by issuing transit visas in defiance of his government’s orders. Dr. Yonker examined the role of figures such as Sugihara in Holocaust education and public memory, raising broader questions about the emphasis often placed on heroic rescuers rather than on victims or perpetrators of the Holocaust. The discussion prompted reflection on how societies construct narratives of historical atrocity and the ways in which stories of rescue and moral courage shape collective understandings of the Holocaust.

The program concluded with a lecture by a former Israeli security official, who provided the Fellows with an overview of Israel’s security and intelligence establishment and the challenges facing the country’s national defense apparatus. Drawing on his professional experience, the official discussed the structure and coordination of Israel’s security institutions and offered practical insight into the realities of Israeli security policy and decision-making. He also discussed the inherent tensions between intelligence work and democracy, balancing the needs of secrecy for security with transparency and what oversight and legal frameworks exist to prevent abuse and overreach.

On Sunday, April 26, the Cotler Fellows visited several sites around the Sea of Galilee. The day began with a guided tour of Kibbutz Degania Aleph. Established in 1910 in the Jordan Valley by a group of ten men and two women, Degania Aleph is considered the first Zionist communal agricultural settlement in the Land of Israel and gave birth to the kibbutz movement. During the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Degania played a critical defensive role. In May 1948, Syrian forces advancing from the east reached the kibbutz, threatening to push toward Tiberias. Despite limited weaponry, residents and reinforcements mounted a determined defense, including the use of improvised explosives, halting the Syrian advance. During the tour, the Fellows visited the reconstructed wooden shack where the original group of twelve lived and the kibbutz museum, and learned about past and current life on the kibbutz.

Following their visit to Kibbutz Degania, the Fellows enjoyed some free time to swim, eat, and relax at Hukok Beach on the northwestern shores of the Sea of Galilee. After a cool and refreshing swim, the Fellows continued on to visit the Mount of Beatitudes (Har HaOsher), overlooking the sea, where Jesus is said to have given his famous Sermon on the Mount. There, Dr. Carl Yonker, the Institute’s Academic Director, spoke about the site and other Christian sites on the northern shores of the Galilee, including Tabgha and Kfar Nahum (Capernaum).

On April 19, the Irwin Cotler Fellows embarked on their first trip of the second semester, a day marked by profound historical reflection and a stark transition from the shadows of the past to the unique natural landscapes of the region. The day began at Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center and Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Shoah. The visit served as a sobering immersion into the systematic destruction of European Jewry and the vital importance of safeguarding the memory of those lost to one of humanity’s darkest chapters.

Following the tour, Prof. Uriya Shavit, the Head of the Institute, led a discussion on the complexities of memory and representation across museums, literature, and cinema. The discussion examined the impact of focusing on the “heroes” of the Shoah versus its victims and analyzed two seminal poems by Dan Pagis: “Written in Pencil in the Sealed Railway-Car” and “Testimony”. Through these texts, the Fellows explored the linguistic challenges of expressing the unimaginable. A key point of the discussion was Pagis’s refusal to provide a composite or sensory picture of the Shoah, instead utilizing sparse biblical metaphors and a protest against the inversion of divine justice.

The discussion was then grounded in personal narrative as Fellow Nancye Kochen shared testimonies regarding her own family’s experiences during the Shoah. Her contribution offered a poignant bridge between historical memory and individual legacy, reminding the group of the living memory carried by the descendants of survivors.

In the afternoon, the fellows traveled toward the Judean Desert for their second stop: Ein Bokek on the shores of the Dead Sea, one of the world’s most magnificent natural wonders. Here, the Cotler fellows had the chance to relax and unwind, floating in the sea, coating themselves in nutrient-rich mud, and enjoying the mountainous desert landscapes at 440 meters below sea level.

On January 11, the Irwin Cotler Fellows spent the day exploring Jerusalem. The day began with an exciting visit to the Israel Aquarium, where the Fellows were introduced to the ecological diversity of Israel’s surrounding seas and waterways. Fellows also experienced an alternate tropical ecosystem as they walked through the indoor butterfly garden. Known for its unique display of Mediterranean aquatic life, the Aquarium delivered nothing short of that.

From there, the Fellows traveled to Mount Herzl. Standing at the resting place of the founder of political Zionism and his family, the Fellows reflected on Herzl’s enduring legacy and the ways in which his vision has been interpreted, institutionalized, and contested over time. The visit continued at the nearby Herzl Museum, where the Fellows took part in a guided tour tracing the life of Binyamin Ze’ev Herzl and the evolution of his vision of political Zionism. Through immersive exhibits and historical artifacts, the Fellows examined Herzl not only as a symbol of statehood, but as a complex thinker shaped by European politics, antisemitism, and debates over Jewish self-determination that continue to resonate today.

As evening approached, the group made its way to Shuk Mahane Yehuda. Amid the bustle of vendors and food stalls, Fellows had time to eat dinner and wander through the market’s narrow lanes, experiencing a space where tradition and modernity intersect and where the city’s social diversity is on full display. The final stop of the day took the Fellows to Mea Shearim, one of Jerusalem’s most insular ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods. There, they met with Rabbi Israel Meir Hirsch, the current leader of Neturei Karta, the most radical anti-Zionist ultra-Orthodox group in Israel, along with his sister. The conversation offered a rare opportunity to engage directly with a community whose theological and political worldview fundamentally rejects Zionism and Herzl’s vision.

On January 8, the Cotler Institute was honored to host Mr. Shuvaloy (“Shuv”) Majumdar, a Canadian Conservative politician who has served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Calgary Heritage (Alberta) since July 2023. Mr. Majumdar, who is considered the country’s first MP of Bengali heritage, has served on the Subcommittee on International Human Rights (including as vice-chair) and previously sat on the Standing Committee on Health in the House of Commons. Before entering elected office, he worked in conservative foreign policy and advisory roles, including as a policy adviser—experience that continues to shape his focus on international affairs and human rights.

During his roundtable meeting with Cotler Fellows and TAU International Students, Mr. Majumdar fielded questions on topics ranging from Canada’s environmental and foreign policies to US-Canada relations and fighting anti-Hindu hate in the country. In turn, Mr. Majumdar asked students to provide him with insights about Israel and their time in the country that they would like him to convey to Canadians, prompting responses that urged understanding the diversity of Israeli society and the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The engrossing evening with Mr. Majmudar concluded with him passing on his words of advice to students, urging them not to be afraid to fail, treat others with kindness, and appreciate those who help you along the way.

During our January 4 meeting, the Colter Fellows took on the role of legislators, presenting innovative proposals for new laws that they drafted and sent to elected officials in their respective home countries and Israel. These proposals, spanning local and global contexts, sparked lively debates and deep reflections during our classroom discussion, and several received responses from elected officials stating they would consider the proposals. To read the collection of proposed laws, click here. Here’s a glimpse into the thought-provoking ideas they shared. Click on the title to read the proposed laws:

Maria Ellul (Malta)—Amending Malta’s General Elections Act to Enhance Electoral Transparency

This proposed legislative amendment aims to strengthen electoral transparency by enabling Maltese voters to access clear, standardized information about candidates’ backgrounds, qualifications, and public service experience. Under the current General Elections Act, candidates are validly nominated without any obligation to disclose comparable biographical, educational, or professional information to the public. The bill proposes amendments to the candidate nomination process by requiring the submission of a certified Candidate Information Form, making nomination validity conditional on its completion, and mandating the timely publication of this information by the Electoral Commission. By introducing clear procedures, verification timelines, and limited publication periods, the proposal aligns Malta’s electoral framework with EU best practices.

Adriel Friedler (US)—Prohibiting Forced Arbitration of Racial and Religious Discrimination Claims in Employment in Nevada

This legislative proposal aims to enhance employees’ protections by ensuring greater access to courts, transparency, and accountability. Under current Nevada employment practices, employees who have endured racial or religious discrimination are forced to resolve their claims through mandatory, binding arbitration as stipulated in their employment contracts. The bill proposal prohibits employers from enforcing arbitration on an employee as a condition of employment or of continuation of employment and renders any existing contractual provisions void and unenforceable. It also bars employer retaliation against employees who refuse to sign any agreement that contains a provision prohibited by the bill.

Nancye Kochen (Australia)—Strengthening Holocaust, Antisemitism, and Anti-Racism Education in Victoria, Australia

This legislative proposal aims to strengthen students’ understanding of the Holocaust, antisemitism, and racism in the state of Victoria. Currently, Holocaust education is being taught in Years 9–10, but there is no mandatory, age-appropriate framework that connects historical education to contemporary antisemitism or broader anti-racism education. The bill proposal introduces compulsory Holocaust, antisemitism, and anti-racism education for Years 7–9, integrates contemporary examples, and requires specialized teacher training to ensure effective and sensitive instruction. Together, these measures aim to reduce prejudice in schools, strengthen social cohesion, and better equip teachers and students to recognize and respond to rising hate.

Hanmin Oh (South Korea)—Codifying Digital Transparency and Rapid-Response Mechanisms to Counter Foreign Influence and Election Cognitive Warfare in South Korea

This legislative proposal aims to enhance electoral integrity and public confidence in South Korea’s elections by increasing transparency. Whilst South Korea’s electoral system is institutionally strong, coordinated influence operations targeting the digital environment can outpace authorities’ assessment and response by undermining the public’s trust. The bill proposal establishes a minimum-intrusion, maximum-transparency framework by standardizing disclosures for online political advertising, introducing registration and labeling for certain foreign influence activities, and codifying lawful data-sharing and coordination procedures among platforms and public institutions during election periods. It also creates a statutory basis for a joint election-period response mechanism, ensuring rapid, accountable, and non-partisan cooperation aimed at protecting electoral fairness.

Felicia Ferdinand (Germany)—Amending Germany’s Act on Regulatory Offences by Sanctioning Sexist Harassment in Public Spaces

This proposed legislative amendment aims to enhance personal safety and dignity in public spaces by providing clear legal protection against sexist harassment. At present, German law leaves individuals who experience sexist harassment in public without an effective or proportionate legal remedy unless higher criminal thresholds are met. The bill proposal introduces a new administrative offense under the Act of Regulatory Offenses that defines sexist harassment, specifies typical conduct, and establishes graduated fines for first and repeat violations. It also includes safeguards against overlap with criminal law and requires a post-implementation evaluation to assess enforcement, effectiveness, and potential displacement effects.

Bhavana Velpula (India)—Recognizing and Accommodating Minority Religious Holidays in Israel

This legislative proposal aims to protect the religious freedom of minority religious communities in Israel by ensuring meaningful recognition and accommodation of their religious holidays in work, education, and public life. Despite Israel’s diversity, there is currently no comprehensive statutory framework guaranteeing leave, flexibility, or protection from discrimination for the observance of minority religious holidays. The bill proposal formally recognizes minority religious holidays and grants employees and students a right to leave on religious grounds, as well as reasonable accommodation. It also imposes clear duties on public and private institutions while safeguarding individuals from minority religious communities from discrimination.

On December 15, the Cotler Institute was honored to host Eloge Butera, a survivor of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda who rebuilt his life in Canada after immigrating in 2002. Trained in political science and law, Mr. Butera became a human-rights advocate and public servant, working with the Hon. Irwin Cotler and figures like Roméo Dallaire and speaking widely about genocide prevention and the long shadow of trauma.

Speaking to an audience of Cotler Fellows and Israeli students, Mr. Butera shared and discussed the history of Rwanda, his personal experience during the 1994 genocide and story of survival, and about his life after immigrating. Students then watched the feature film directed by Hollywood star Jesse Eisenberg, “A Real Pain,” in which one of the characters was inspired by Mr. Butare’s life story, after which they discussed questions about memory, victimhood, comparative suffering, justice, challenges of migration, and how people from different backgrounds carry their pain.