How Did the Zionists Create the State of Israel?
Delve into the roots of Jewish peoplehood and the pivotal moments in Jewish history that led to the rebirth of Israel in 1948. Explore how precarious Diaspora life and ...
On-Demand Israel Courses
Explore Modern Israel’s Story
Engaging, Self-Paced Courses, On-Demand
Understanding Israel: The Facts, Intentions and Impact
The majority of people today see Israel through the lens of modern politics, current events and attention-seeking news headlines that ignore the reasons and history behind Israel’s existence and its current status.
In a time when Zionism is often misunderstood and actively maligned, it is crucial to understand Israel’s origins found in Jewish history, its geopolitical constraints, and often-hostile neighborhood. It is only in knowing its context that we may have informed conversations on present-day events and future aspirations.
Discover the True History of Modern Israel
Get a 360° perspective. From state seeking to state making, to state keeping, CIE’s courses deliver a holistic understanding of the culture, conflicts, politics and government that shaped Israel and continue to shape the Middle East and the Jewish world today.
Immerse yourself in our unique, multimodal, self-paced courses that deliver a comprehensive base of understanding, along with a rich blend of curated and original resources to help anyone who wants to dive deeper become an expert on each topic. Each unit provides diverse learning materials including interviews, videos, maps, documents, and analysis.
Zionism is the national liberation movement of Jews to take destiny into their own hands and move themselves from being the object of someone else’s sentence to the subject of their own.
Expand Your Knowledge of Israel Today
Choose courses to enrich your understanding and appreciation of modern Israel.
How Anti-Zionism Is Antisemitism
Apply the lessons of centuries of lies, propaganda, and conspiracy theories directed against the Jewish people to understand how such hate has morphed into double standards, ...
Israel’s Democratic Origins and Its Pluralistic Political System
Explore the connections between the self-reliance, resilience, and democratic local self-governance Jews developed and nurtured in the Diaspora and the institutions and ...
Origins of the Arab-Israeli Conflict, Pre-State to 1973
Explore the pivotal events, influential leaders, and crucial decisions from the Ottoman era to the Yom Kippur War that transformed the Land of Israel into the hard-earned ...
Arab-Israeli Conflict: Quest for Normalization, 1973-Present
Unfold six Arab states’ embrace of Israel since 1973 out of national interests and U.S. mediation, sidelining the Palestinian movement, and explore Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, ...
Israeli Identity and Society Through Music and Pop Culture
Dance along as waves of Jewish immigration mix with indigenous traditions to create a unique culture reflecting a world of Jewish and non-Jewish influences across Israel’s ...
Share and Save on More Courses
Send a Gift
CIE courses make great gifts for b’nai mitzvah, high school and college students, and lifelong learners. Send a gift card for any mix of courses.
Buy Five, Get One Free
Love learning about Israel? Explore all of the fascinating facts and history and save when you buy six courses for the price of five.
Get Group Discounts
Learning with a community? Save 20% or more when you buy at least 10 copies of a course for your shul, school or other group.
Meet Our Professional Course Creators
CIE is committed to assembling expertise from various professional and educational perspectives, to deliver the most well-rounded content and learning experience.
Kenneth Stein, PhD
Dr. Kenneth Stein is an Emeritus Professor at Emory University, where he earned awards for his teaching of Middle Eastern History, Political Science, and Israel Studies to more than 5800 students over 44 years, and founded The Emory Institute for the Study of Modern Israel. Dr. Stein is the author of multiple books on the subjects of Israel’s history, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and initiatives for peace. Dr. Stein earned his BA at Franklin and Marshall College, and two MA degrees and a doctorate in Middle Eastern History from the University of Michigan.
Scott Abramson, PhD
Dr. Scott Abramson received his master’s degree from Brandeis University’s Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies and his Ph.D. from UCLA’s Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures. He has held postdoctoral appointments at UCLA’s Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies and at Northwestern University’s Crown Family Center for Jewish and Israel Studies. Dr. Abramson has designed and taught many courses on the history and culture of Israel and the Middle East. Dr. Abramson is also a published journalist and researcher whose works have appeared in popular publications and peer-reviewed scholarly journals.
Debbie L. Sasson, MA
Debbie Sasson has worked for two decades in Jewish and Israel education, writing curricula, teaching in day school and congregational school settings, leading youth groups, Israeli clubs and in camp environments. She earned her MA in Teaching Secondary School Social Studies from Manhattanville College, and her undergraduate degree in International and Middle Eastern Studies at Emory University.
Frequently Asked Questions
For whom are these courses designed?
We are seeking to provide greater levels of knowledge. Whether you're already well versed or just starting your journey, CIE units present the context, history, facts and examples you want to know. You will also find bountiful resources to help you become an expert in your own right.
How long are the courses?
It varies with each unit and each user. Courses can be “completed” in around an hour, but it’s your choice to spend as much time as you wish.
Those who want to dive deeper into these and ancillary topics, will find accompanying sources can keep you learning for hours on end.
Are your courses available for groups?
Absolutely! You can save at least 20% when you purchase 10 copies or more of a course through our group sales page.
- All courses are available for purchase by organizations and other groups such as those preparing to travel to Israel and for academic use.
- Academic editions are designed with specific checkpoints to ensure mastery of each section and can be tailored to your learning levels and needs.
If members of your group will be expected to buy their own copies but you want to arrange a group discount, contact Debbie Sasson at debbie.sasson@israeled.org.
Can I purchase multiple courses? Do you offer discounts?
We admire your commitment and we’re here to make it easier! You can buy as many courses as you'd like by adding them to your shopping cart.
- Save 10% when you buy two courses
- Save 15% when you buy three
- Get all six for the price of five
Can I purchase this as a gift for my ____?
CIE courses make great gifts for b’nai mitzvah, high school and college students, and lifelong learners. You can purchase a gift card for one to six courses, and we will send redemption instructions to the recipient.
What if I have more questions?
We're educators, we love questions! Please get in touch using our contact form, or by emailing info@israeled.org.