Return to Global Impact
Regent Law Students Participate in a Summer Study Abroad Program in Israel
Like many who visit Israel, they saw the Western Wall and the Temple Mount. They floated effortlessly in the Dead Sea, like children discovering something that's amazingly fun. They went inside the walls of old Jerusalem to see the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and they visited Masada, an ancient Hebrew city built upon a cliff in the middle of the desert. Here they felt for themselves the pride of the Jews for whom this spot is so significant.
These 20 students from Regent School of Law who were in Israel in June saw most of the Biblical and historical sites, but from 8:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. they were in law school... in Israel – cramming a three-credit hour, American Bar Association-approved class into what usually requires an entire semester.
The rigorous program included a hermeneutical comparison of Biblical and Qur'anic law taught by Dr. Joe Kickasola, Regent professor with joint appointments in the School of Government, the School of Divinity and the School of Law.
"He is an amazing scholar," says Dr. Kim Shaftner, who will graduate from Regent with his J.D. in 2009. (Dr. Shaftner practiced medicine for 24 years before entering law school.) "When we saw one of the original Dead Sea Scrolls, Dr. Kickasola started reading through it like it was Newsweek!"
Dr. Kickasola provided another trip highlight for fellow professor, Robert "Skip" Ash, a member of the faculties of the School of Law and the School of Government. "We had a great debate at the University of Haifa between an Israeli professor and Dr. Kickasola," Ash explains. "They discussed in a spirited, yet friendly manner, whether there are any moderates or peacemakers within present day Islam and our students were there to take it all in." The students gave this event high marks. Ash proclaimed Dr. Kickasola the winner.
Professor Ash and Dr. Jay Sekulow, chief counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and an adjunct professor at Regent, taught "Issues of International Law and the State of Israel," which dealt with the philosophical and legal bases for the modern state of Israel.
"This study abroad program for Regent students was a tremendous success," Sekulow says, adding that in addition to holding classes at the prestigious Hebrew University and the University of Haifa, students were able to experience working with the Israeli courts and government institutions. "While there were many highlights, the meetings with Israeli Supreme Court Justice Elyakim Rubinstein as well as military court judges certainly provided students with a very unique educational opportunity. We look forward to expanding the program next year."
The visit to an Israeli court trying a terrorist suspect in the West Bank proved to be a trip highlight for Ari Craig, who will receive his J.D. in 2009. "I saw how the International Court of Justice works," Craig says. "It was beyond reading about it in a book – I now have a deeper understanding of the Middle East and the challenges there."
Professor Ash explains that it's almost impossible to understand Israel without being on the ground there and seeing how the people live and interact with each other. And the opportunity to meet so many notable figures provides students an intimate look into the legal and military atmosphere of Israel.
Part of that military atmosphere included a class of 18-year-olds being inducted into the Israeli Defense Force. "We saw the whole powerful ceremony," Craig states, adding that it was made all the more powerful because it was held at the Western Wall – considered by many Jews, Muslims and Christians as one of the holiest places on Earth.
"Theirs were such young faces," Craig explains, referring to the men and women entering military service, which is mandatory for every 18-year-old Israeli. "But their faces were very serious, as though they understood well beyond their years what they would be fighting for."
Craig smiles when he remembers how surprisingly fun loving these and other Israeli young people he met were. "They were very up on everything, even Facebook," says Craig, who now has several new Facebook friends.
Shaftner fell in love with Israel. "I could move my family there and stay forever," he says, reflecting on the places he could feel the history under his feet. "It's impossible to go there and not be awed by its appeal, charm and significance."
This was not Shaftner's first trip outside the United States but he had forgotten that he's not what he calls a 'food experimenter.' "I don't like to try new and unusual things," he explains. He liked the bread, though – more kinds and varieties that anyone can possibly imagine. "There were mountains of it in the market bakeries," he says. "And it is all good." So were the desserts. "The dessert bar in the hotel was magnificent – everything on it looks like a slice of heaven," Shaftner continues. "I'm sure they do things with chocolate that must go against at least one of the Ten Commandments!"
