New AIPAC Leader to Launch Shabbat Dinner Speaker Series

Michael Kassen will visit campus on November 18.

November 17, 2011

AIPAC President-Elect Michael Kassen

Dickinson students will have the chance to talk—and enjoy a festive meal—with the president-elect of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) on Friday, November 18 when he visits campus to discuss U.S.-Israel relations. Michael Kassen, the father of Laura Kassen ’12, will officially begin his term as leader of the national lobbying group in March. 

“We hope that students will be prompted to think about the reasons for the strong American-Israeli alliance and will learn about the connections—religious, political, cultural, scientific and economic—that both Jews and non-Jews have with Israel,” said Ted Merwin, director of The Milton B. Asbell Center for Jewish Life, which is sponsoring Kassen’s visit.

Kassen will be the first guest of what Merwin says will be a Shabbat dinner speaker series.  Shabbat, which begins at sundown on Friday and ends at nightfall on Saturday, is the Jewish day of rest.

“We hope to acquaint the campus in general with the importance of Shabbat, the basic rituals and the connection between Jewish religion and culture,” Merwin said. “We are doing this by bringing in a series of distinguished rabbis, scholars and cultural figures.”

Both Kassen’s talk and the corresponding dinner are free and open to the public. The event begins at 6 p.m. in the Stern Center Great Room. Those wishing to attend should RSVP to Lori Loudon at loudonl@dickinson.edu or 717-254-8963.

Kassen ‘12, is a member of the new Dickinson Israel Group, which seeks to promote understanding and appreciation of the Middle Eastern country.