A word from the Dean

Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President, B'nai Brith Canada
DR. FRANK DIMANT

Chair, Israel Studies Department

In May 2008, Dr. Dimant was appointed the Chair of the newly inaugurated Department of Modern Israel Studies at Canada Christian College and the School of Graduate Theological Studies. This appointment was in recognition of his vast knowledge and expertise of Israel and the wider Middle East region.Dr. Frank Dimant is one of Canadaís most prominent Jewish leaders. He is the Executive Vice President of Bínai Brith, Canadaís oldest Jewish organization and CEO of the Institute for International Affairs and the League for Human Rights. He is the publisher of The Jewish Tribune, which has the highest audited circulation of all Canadaís Anglo-Jewish publications.Dr. Dimant has led Bínai Brith Canada missions to destinations throughout the world, including Ethiopia, the Soviet Union, Hungary, Romania, Poland, China, Germany, England, France and Lebanon. He has accompanied Canadian Government delegations on official visits to Auschwitz, as well as to Israel and was a member of the Minister of Tradeís delegation for the signing of the Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement. .In January 2005, he became a member of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Advisory Council. He was appointed to the Vaughan Mayorís Community Task Force on Safety and Security, as well as serving on the Toronto Police Chiefís Advisory Board. In recognition of his commitment to human rights in this country, Dr. Dimant was inducted as Honourary Chief of First Nations Keewatin Tribal Council.In 2004, he was awarded an honourary doctorate from Canada Christian College for his commitment to creating true partnerships with the Christian community. That same year he was presented with a family Coat of Arms by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario in recognition of his leadership in the Canadian community.Other tributes that he has received include a commemorative medal marking the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada as well as the Queenís Jubilee Medal commemorating the anniversary of Her Majesty the Queenís ascension to the throne. He was honoured by the City of Tel Aviv for his efforts to establish Family Medical Clinics in underprivileged areas of the city.

A frequent lecturer, writer and media commentator, he is a recognized authority on both Israeli and Middle Eastern affairs and world Jewish issues. He is the co-editor of ìFrom Immigration to Integrationî, published in 2001, which details the history of Canadian Jews.-Educated at Yeshiva University and McGillís Graduate School of Sociology, Frank Dimant currently resides in the Greater TorontoArea (GTA), his home for more than thirty years. He is married to Florence Kupfert, a noted educator who is Chair of the English Department at Eitz Chaim Schools.

Program Description

The Israel Studies department provides extensive programs including missions to Israel where the student will receive first hand knowledge and personal experience. The department seeks to delve deep into the history, politics, archaeology, geography, economy and culture of the modern state of Israel. The goal is to produce knowledgeable graduates with the ability to teach and lead others to fulfil the commands of God as a Christian Ambassador to Israel. Many people ask the question, why would a Christian College have an Israel Studies Department? The answer is obvious. Everything we have, spiritually, is a gift from Israel. God chose to reveal Himself to mankind trough Israel. Every page of the Bible was recorded by Israelites. We revere the Prophets, Priests and Kings of the Old Testament, all Israelites. Even the Apostles and Disciples such as Paul, Matthew, Peter, Mark, Stephen and the others were Israelites. But most of all, Jesus Christ is an Israelite.

So how can we worship the God of Israel and pray for blessings from the God of Abraham , Isaac and Jacob and not love Israel. In fact God commands us to bless Israel in Genesis 12:3 ìI will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse youî. It is crucial that we learn how to bless Israel in its time of need. ìFor if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.î Romans 15:27 In 70 AD Israel was dispersed by the Romans. Miraculously, 1878 years later the State of Israel was reborn on May 14. 1948. Jesus Christ gave us the parable of the fig tree (Israel) in Matthew 24:32 as the definitive sign of the return of the Messiah. It is imperative that we study Modern Israel as a key to serving the God of Israel.

Modern Israel I
Modern Israel II
Modern Israel III
Geography of Israel
History of Israel
Archaeology of Israel
Mission to Israel