Among the numerous scientific conferences, symposia, seminars, and round tables dedicated to the 60th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel, organized both in Israel and abroad, one of the most ambitious and significant events, in our opinion, was the XXIV Annual International Conference of the Association for Israeli Studies (AIS), held from 19 to May 21, 2008 at New York University (New York, USA). Defining the goals, significance, and relevance of the conference, New York University President J. R. R. Tolkien said: In his welcoming message, Sexton stressed that the conference, which coincides with the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel, will give a new impetus to researchers for a free exchange of views and will help them find and develop innovative solutions and approaches to studying Israeli society. A major contribution to the conference was made by the Taub Center for Israel Studies, established in 2003 in the Department of Judaica and Jewish Studies at New York University, under the auspices of which the conference was held. The management of the Taub Center aims to train "a new generation of Israeli scientists who can continue and expand the research of modern Israel" (from the speech of the Center's Director Ronald W. Zweig at the opening of the conference). More than 80 sections, plenary sessions, round tables, presentations of scientific monographs and meetings with their authors, during which more than 350 scientists and specialists from different countries spoke, indicate the scale and "geographical range" of the conference. Along with traditional participants from the USA, Israel, Canada, Japan, Australia, Russia, Great Britain, experts from Greece, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Germany presented their reports- page 148research institutes. The participation of an expanded delegation of Italian scientists from various universities and research centers in the country was a new development. The conference's topics include ... Read more