FAIRFIELD – “Turbulent Times: Understanding Palestinian Incitement and Violence and Israel’s Response” will be the subject of a presentation by Dr. Ralph Nurnberger, professor of international relations at Georgetown University, on Wednesday, March 9, 7:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth El in Fairfield. Nurnberger’s talk is sponsored by Israel Bonds, in cooperation with Congregations Beth El, Rodeph Sholom, B’nai Torah B’nai Israel, Chabad of Fairfield and Connecticut Hadassah.

An adjunct professor at Georgetown, where he has taught since receiving his PhD in history in 1975, Nurnberger’s most recent graduate seminars deal with the Arab-Israeli conflict. He previously taught courses in this program dealing with American foreign policy in the post 9/11 world; the role of Congress in foreign policy; and American post-Cold War foreign policy.

Widely acclaimed for bringing current political insights and historical background to his presentations, he has appeared regularly on national TV as an analyst on political and international issues, and spoken internationally including in Canada, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom. His articles have appeared in The Washington Post, The Washington Times, Los Angeles Times, Baltimore Sun and numerous scholarly journals and magazines. He has also advised numerous Congressional, Senatorial and Presidential campaigns on foreign policy issues, especially those related to the Middle East.

Nurnberger was the first director of “Builders for Peace,” an organization established in 1993 to encourage private sector investment. In this capacity, he dealt with international leaders including Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, then-Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, as well as American and international business and political leaders. He also spent two years as a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where he directed the Congressional relations program and co-authored and edited books dealing with Congressional leadership and the role of Congress in foreign policy.

He is a partner in a Washington, D.C. government relations firm, Nurnberger & Associates, which is affiliated with Gray Global Advisors, headed by former House Majority Whip Bill Gray (D-PA).

Dr. Nurnberger’s talk is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Congregation Beth El is located at 1200 Fairfield Woods Rd. in Fairfield.