Druze culture focus of next Israel event

On Feb. 12, Tamim Saad, an Israeli Druze now studying in the United States, will present an illustrated lecture about the Druze community at the Allliance’s Dware Jewish Community Center in Providence. “Druze Culture – A Look at the Challenges Facing a Religious Minority in Israel” is the next topic in the monthly Israel Culture Series.  

Saad will discuss aspects of Druze culture, the reasons for their loyalty, with some social and economic background. This background helps make Druze schools among the best-performing schools in Israel and have encouraged Druze soldiers to excel. He will also discuss some challenges that Druze face as a minority which resulted in recent protests in Israel.

The Druze are an Arabic-speaking minority who reside primarily in the Middle East and practice a monotheistic religion. In Israel, they are loyal to the State of Israel and serve in the Israel Defense Forces. A visit to a Druze village is a popular activity for tourists.

Saad currently is studying at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government under a Wexner Israel Fellowship. He grew up in the Druze village of Yanoach, in Galilee. Saad is a former Israeli naval officer and a member of the board of directors of Haifa Port. He currently works for the Accountant General’s office in Israel’s Ministry of Finance.

This program, which will take place Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the  Dwares JCC, is presented by the Israel Desk of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. 

For information, contact Or Cohen at ocohen@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 121.