Two news updates from ISIME:  the text of Shaul Gabbay’s message is below, followed by the release from ISIME about interim leadership.

January 29, 2010

Dear Friends,

It has been ten years that I have had the privilege of serving as the Executive Director of ISIME. Now, it is time for me to move on to new ventures and opportunities.

The past decade will be one that I will always look back on with pride.  Under direction of the ISIME Board and support from people like you, we have accomplished a great deal.  Our efforts have brought notable guests and speakers from academia and governments who have kept us abreast of the complex issues facing Israel in the Middle East.

I am especially proud of our peace-seeking initiatives and I will treasure the relationships developed over the years with people of all cultures and faiths who share the same vision of peaceful coexistence.

As I leave, I would like to offer my heartfelt gratitude to all of you who have inspired me and supported the work of this institute.  It has been my privilege to walk with you throughout this remarkable journey.

I also want you to know what is essentially clear to all of us – our work is not done.  I look forward to following and supporting the work of ISIME in the future.  All people in the Middle East will benefit from continued efforts to build bridges for peace. I am leaving the leadership in capable hands.  Debbie Schlueter has been working with me for the last seven years and with her experience and commitment to balance, she will no doubt continue taking ISIME to new  heights.  I know she will strive for excellence and will work to bridge the gaps in the pursuit of peace.

Although I will no longer be leading this great institute, I hope that our paths will continue to cross as I explore new ventures and opportunities in Denver.  In the near future, I look forward to continuing academic work as a professor and Senior Scholar at the University of Denver and ISIME, publishing One Land, Two Stories with my colleague and friend, Dr. Amin Kazak, and focusing on economic development in Israel.

Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for Israel in the Middle East.

Shalom, Salam, Peace,

Shaul M. Gabbay

DU’s Institute for the Study of Israel in the Middle East Announces Appointment of Interim Director

DENVER—Following the departure of Professor Shaul Gabbay, the Institute for the Study of Israel in the Middle East (ISIME) at the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies announced today that Deborah Schlueter  will become interim director effective February 1, 2010.

Schlueter has worked for ISIME for seven years, and currently serves as director of the Student Interfaith Peace Program, a leadership program initiated by ISIME that engages local Jewish, Muslim and Christian teens, and builds connections with teens in the Middle East.  Schlueter taught cultural diversity and conflict resolution skills in business, government and academic settings for a decade before joining ISIME.

I am honored to work with the board and lead ISIME,” says Schlueter. “My support for the Israeli people and the existence of the state of Israel, as well my deep concern for all the people in the region, will be guiding principles for me and for ISIME.  We will focus on building bridges of understanding.”

Schlueter succeeds Professor Shaul Gabbay, who served in the position for ten years.

We are very excited that Debbie is joining us as interim director because she is a long-time friend of the institute, and was our first choice to lead the transition process,” says Bob Loup, ISIME board chair and co-founder. “We are grateful to Shaul for his years of service.  He remains a friend to the institute and a personal friend of mine.”

Schlueter noted that she is eager for the opportunity to build on the institution Gabbay developed in his ten years as director of ISIME. “Today ISIME is established and known around the world. The research and programs Dr. Gabbay developed reached many internationally, and he created an invaluable network of contacts I will use to further the work of the institute.”

Loup says he expects this will be an exciting year for ISIME.  One of Schlueter’s first assignments is to develop a comprehensive programming schedule.

The search for a permanent director will begin soon with a goal of having someone in place by the beginning of 2011.

The University of Denver is committed to improving the human condition and engaging students and faculty in tackling the major issues of our day. The oldest private university in the Rocky Mountain West with more than 12,300 students in undergraduate and graduate study, DU is a nationally recognized research university and ranks among the top 100 Universities in the U.S.