Israel Society for the Promotion of Classical Studies

The Israel Society for the Promotion of Classical Studies (Hebrew: האגודה לקידום הלימודים הקלאסיים בישראל) is a registered non-profit association (amuta) founded in 1971 that brings together scholars, students, and members of the public interested in the study of ancient Greek and Roman culture. Its declared purpose is to promote the study of classical languages and cultures in Israel and to deepen ties between Israeli and international scholars. Membership is open to the general public, and the society currently has nearly 200 members, including university lecturers, researchers, graduate students, and classical-culture enthusiasts. The society traces its roots to the 1930s, when scholars in Jerusalem formed a circle called Thiasos, and to the late 1950s, when a similar group called Eranos was established in Tel Aviv. As the number of Israeli universities and classics departments grew in the 1960s, the need for a national organization representing all colleagues led to the founding of the society in 1971. The initiative was led by Prof. Benjamin Shimron of Tel Aviv University, with support from Prof. Alexander Fuks and Prof. Chaim Wirszubski of the Hebrew University. The society holds an annual two-day conference at one of Israel's universities, featuring lectures by Israeli and international scholars, a general assembly, and a prize for an outstanding undergraduate essay in a classical subject. It is a member of Euroclassica, a federation of European associations dedicated to the study of classical languages. Since 1974 the society has published Scripta Classica Israelica (SCI), an annual international journal devoted to the study of the ancient world, including the history of the Jewish people in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. The journal publishes articles in English, French, Italian, and German, with all submissions subject to anonymous external peer review. It is published under the auspices of the society with support from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Bar-Ilan University, Tel Aviv University, the University of Haifa, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and the Open University. SCI has become a recognized and respected journal in classical studies and is now available online. The society's next annual conference is scheduled for June 3–4, 2026, at the University of Haifa.

The Israel Society for the Promotion of Classical Studies was founded in 1971, but its roots go back to the 1930s. At that time, scholars interested in classical studies in Jerusalem formed a circle called Thiasos (Greek for 'company' or 'cult group'), which held lectures and discussions on the classical world open to the public. In the late 1950s, with the establishment of Tel Aviv University, a similar group called Eranos (Greek for 'club' or 'circle') was formed there. During the 1960s, the number of universities and classics departments in Israel grew, creating the need for a national organization representing all colleagues. In 1971, the society was founded on the initiative of Prof. Benjamin Shimron of Tel Aviv University, who enlisted the support of Prof. Alexander Fuks and Prof. Chaim Wirszubski of the Hebrew University; their prestige contributed to the success of the first conference. The society's declared goal was and remains 'to promote the study of classical languages and cultures in Israel and to deepen the ties between Israeli scholars and scholars around the world.' The society held annual conferences and began publishing its annual journal, Scripta Classica Israelica, in 1974. The journal's first article, by Prof. Yochanan Glucker, appeared in Latin. SCI publishes articles from all areas of classical studies, with a special emphasis on the Land of Israel and the Jewish people in that period, and seeks to provide a platform for young scholars. It includes lists of translations and publications in Hebrew in classical studies, doctoral dissertations in preparation at Israeli universities, and the previous year's conference program. Over the years, SCI has become a recognized and respected journal in classical studies and is now accessible online. Today the society is a registered non-profit association (amuta) with nearly 200 members, including university lecturers, researchers, graduate students, and members of the public. It is a member of Euroclassica, a federation of European associations for the promotion of classical languages and studies. Membership remains open to the general public. The society holds an annual two-day conference at one of Israel's universities at the end of the second semester of the academic year. The conference includes the society's annual general assembly, lectures by Israeli and international scholars, and the awarding of a prize for an outstanding undergraduate essay on a classical subject. The next conference is scheduled for June 3–4, 2026, at the University of Haifa. The society has had numerous presidents over the years, including Abraham Wasserstein, Alexander Fuks, Shalom Perlman, Benjamin Shimron, David Solberg, Akiva Gilboa, Moshe Amit, Ranon Katzoff, Benjamin Isaac, Yochanan Glucker, Joseph Geiger, Israel Shatzman, Doron Mendels, Ephraim David, Hannah Cotton, Margalit Finkelberg, Jonathan Price, and Yulia Ustinova. Honorary members include Liza Ullman, Prof. Frank Walbank, Prof. Ra'anana Meridor, Prof. David Solberg, Prof. Moshe Amit, Prof. Shalom Perlman, Prof. Benjamin Shimron, and Prof. Nathan Spiegel.

• Foundation of the society in 1971 on the initiative of Prof. Benjamin Shimron, with support from Prof. Alexander Fuks and Prof. Chaim Wirszubski.

• First annual conference held, contributing to the society's establishment.

• Launch of the annual journal Scripta Classica Israelica in 1974.

• First article in SCI published in Latin by Prof. Yochanan Glucker.

• Society becomes a member of Euroclassica.

• Next annual conference scheduled for June 3–4, 2026, at the University of Haifa.

A scholarly association open to the public, dedicated to promoting classical studies in Israel and fostering international scholarly ties.

• Scripta Classica Israelica (SCI)

  Annual international journal published since 1974 under the auspices of the society, with support from major Israeli universities. Publishes articles in English, French, Italian, and German, with anonymous peer review.

• Annual conference

  Two-day conference held annually at an Israeli university, featuring lectures by Israeli and international scholars, the society's general assembly, and an undergraduate essay prize.

1. 1The Israel Society for the Promotion of Classical Studiesisrael-classics.org
2. 2אודות – The Israel Society for the Promotion of Classical Studiesisrael-classics.org
3. 3Israel Society for the Promotion of Classical Studieswikidata.org
4. 4האגודה לקידום הלימודים הקלאסיים בישראלhe.wikipedia.org