If you are interested in the nexus between diplomacy and security, there’s probably no better place in the world to study and gain practical experience than Israel.
That’s the conclusion of a young francophone Quebecer who will spend the next year in Tel Aviv University’s (TAU) international master’s program in security and diplomacy.
Gabriel Boulianne Gobeil, 26, is one of three Canadian students awarded scholarships to attend Israel’s largest university in 2016-2017 from the Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University (CFTAU).
He and Laura Lasry and Daniel Kleinmann were saluted at a gala CFTAU dinner in honour of Herbert Marx on Aug. 21 at The Chevra Synagogue.
Gobeil is interrupting his PhD studies in international relations at the University of Toronto to earn another master’s degree at TAU, a decision he made even before winning the scholarship.
After getting his undergraduate degree at Concordia University, the Ahuntsic-Cartierville native added a master’s from the University of Ottawa in political science. His thesis was on the use of artificial intelligence in counter-terrorism, focusing on the United States’ drone campaign.
“I chose to complement my academic studies with practice-oriented knowledge,” he says. “I opted for TAU because its location in the heart of the Middle East offers students an experience of one of the world’s most salient geopolitical climates, equipping them with the necessary tools to tackle real-world security issues.”
The program, taught by both scholars and former diplomatic staff, encourages students – who come from around the globe – to perform internships while in Israel.
Gobeil, who will be making his first trip to Israel, looks forward to being exposed to a new culture. “After the year I plan on sharing my experiences with my classmates.”
Lasry, 24, who has a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from McGill University, will pursue an international master’s in that field at TAU. It’s a logical destination for someone whose chief interest is water conservation.
“Israel is on the cutting edge,” she said. “Seventy per cent of its water is recycled.”
Lasry is also interested in wildlife conservation and animal rights. A vegetarian since age nine, her dream is to some day open a wildlife sanctuary. “It’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do,” she said.
Daniel Kleinmann of Toronto, who was not present, is going into the international MBA program in TAU’s school of management. Interestingly, he is the son of the president and CEO of the Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University, Rami Kleinmann.
The dinner, attended by about 300 guests, raised money for an existing fund created at TAU by Marx, a former Quebec justice minister and Quebec Superior Court judge. The fund benefits legal aid and other programs aimed at equalizing access to justice.
Marx, 84, left teaching law at the Université de Montréal to serve as MNA for D’Arcy McGee from 1979 to 1988. He resigned from then-premier Robert Bourassa’s cabinet rather than support Bill 178, legislation that would ban English from commercial signs.
He has been associated with CFTAU for 35 years, and is a TAU governor.
Keynote speaker Mayor Denis Coderre expressed his wish for greater ties between Montreal and Tel Aviv, and its universities. Coderre is expected to visit TAU during the November mission to Israel that he is leading with Toronto Mayor John Tory.
Coderre spoke of his policy of “zero tolerance for those who want to destroy our way of life… As long as I have breath, I will fight against anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.”
TAU president Joseph Klafter presented Coderre with his President’s Award in recognition of the friendship he has shown to Israel and the Jewish People.
Klafter also wants to build upon existing co-operation between Montreal and Tel Aviv and its institutions, particularly in the life sciences, information technology and security. “There are limitless possibilities,” he said.
The gala was MCed by YidLife Crisis video series creators Jamie Elman and Eli Batalion, who noted that TAU has both a strong Yiddish program and film school – which “blew us away.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praised Marx’s contribution to justice and public service in a videotaped message. Others praised Marx for remaining, despite his achievements as a legal scholar and politician, a “mensch,” known for his modesty, empathy and sense of humour.