Mar 16, 2009 -- With cultural, political, economic and military ties never stronger and more apparent between Israel and India, international leaders and scholars will convene at Yeshiva University for a two-day conference, entitled "Israel and India: A Relationship Comes of Age," on March 30-31. In light of the recent tragedies in Mumbai, the conference will be dedicated to the memories of those who lost their lives in the attacks. A project of YU’s Center for Israel Studies (CIS) and the Institute for Public Health Sciences (IPHS), the conference, a highlight of a year-long program at Yeshiva University celebrating the deepening ties between Israel and India, will explore the many facets of this evolving relationship. The discussions will promote a social climate of tolerance, understanding, partnership and growth. The conference, open to the public at no cost, will be held at the Yeshiva University Museum, 15 West 16th Street, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on March 30. “What better way to celebrate 60 years of independence than to build upon the already rich, connected history that these two countries share,” said Dr. Steven Fine, director of YU’s Center for Israel Studies. “We are honored to host leading Israeli and Indian authorities from the worlds of business, politics and medicine to discuss advancing this relationship for the betterment of both countries.” Israel and India face a number of common challenges and have a shared interest in fostering alliances to bolster economic growth. Dedicated sessions led by Israeli and Indian business leaders and scholars will explore these various challenges and discuss opportunities for the development of strategic partnerships that continue to strengthen each country. “At a time when terrorism is challenging bonds of cooperation and friendship between various parts of the globe, the conference is a celebration of democracy and friendship,” said Sonia Suchday, PhD, co-director, Institute of Public Health Sciences at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology. Congressman Ackerman, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where he plays major leadership roles in flash point areas of the world, will give the featured address March 30 at 10 a.m. Ackerman is heavily involved in U.S. policy involving national security, nuclear proliferation and terrorism issues in areas such as the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Scholars participating in panels throughout the two-day conference include: - Dr. Nathan Katz, professor and founding chair of the Department of Religious Studies, as well as founder-director of the Center for the Study of Spirituality, at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami. Arguably the world's authority on Indian Jewish communities, he is co-founder and co-editor of the Journal of Indo-Judaic Studies - Professor Maina Chawla Singh, instructor at the College of Vocational Studies of Delhi University and Advisory Board Member of Global Alliance for Women’s Health - Professor Efraim Inbar, director, Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, and professor of political studies at Bar Ilan University - Professor P.R. Kumaraswamy, professor of international studies at the Centre for West Asian and African Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India - Professor Gad Ariav, head of High-Tech Management School and Faculty of Management, Leon Recanati School of Business at Tel Aviv University - Dr. Amit Kapoor, professor of strategy and industrial economics at Management Development Institute (India) and Honorary Chairman at Institute for Competitiveness - Dr. Shlomo Mor-Yosef, director general of the Hadassah Medical Organization in Israel - Dr. K. Srinath Reddy, president of the Public Health Foundation of India Serving as moderators throughout the conference are: - Raji Viswanathan, associate professor, Department of Chemistry at Yeshiva University - Ruth Bevan Dunner, senior professor of the Department of Political Science at Yeshiva University - Steven Fine, professor of Jewish history at Yeshiva University and director of YU’s Center for Israel Studies - Michael Ginzberg, dean and professor of management and information systems at Sy Syms School of Business, Yeshiva University - Paul Marantz, associate dean for clinical research education at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University - Sonia Suchday, associate professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at Yeshiva University To register for this conference or see the full program of speakers and topics , visit the Center's Web site or call 212-960-0189.