Postdoctoral scholar joins ASU Jewish studies to teach about Israel, the Middle East
The collaborative environment of ASU's School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies, of which new faculty member Adam Hefetz will be a part, aims to inspire inquiry and problem-solving that speak to modern-day challenges. ASU photo
Beginning fall 2024, Adam Hefetz will join the faculty of Arizona State University's School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies to provide historical information and context about the Middle East and current conflicts.
Hefetz is a historian who will teach courses on the history of Zionism, the state of Israel and the modern Middle East. He received both his doctorate in Jewish history and his master’s degree in Middle Eastern and Islamic studies from the University of Haifa. His dissertation is on the Israel banking system in Mandatory Palestine, and his master’s thesis is on the Israeli–Egyptian peace process.
“I hope to provide the necessary historical context for understanding some of the contemporary issues that students probably heard of in the news,” Hefetz said.
Along with teaching and working with our community on issues related to Israel and the Middle East, Hefetz plans to use his time in Arizona to work on the book based on his doctoral dissertation. The focus of this book will be Bank Leumi, one of Israel’s largest and oldest financial institutions, founded in 1903.
Hefetz also plans to further research the history of Israel’s oil companies — Paz, Delek and Sonol — which will also be discussed as part of his Modern Middle East class.
“These companies, established in the 1950s, quickly became integral to Israel’s economy. Due to the nature of the oil industry, they were also deeply involved in Israel’s diplomatic and economic relations with countries in the region and beyond,” Hefetz said.
“My research into the Israeli oil companies is an attempt to bring my background as a business historian to the issue of climate change and its history. Since the economics of energy are central to the climate crisis, I think historical research into the energy sector in various places in the world can be an important contribution to our understanding of the crisis, and possibly to help solve it, as well.”
Hefetz will be teaching two classes in fall 2024 and two in spring 2025.
“I am thrilled to join Arizona State University,” Hefetz said. “Through my eight years of experience as a middle and high school teacher, I have developed a passion for engaging with students and conveying information clearly and memorably. I am eagerly anticipating the opportunity to share my knowledge with a new student body on subjects I have studied extensively and am deeply passionate about.”
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