Romirowsky to offer presentation

MARQUETTE — Middle East scholar Asaf Romirowsky will present “United Nations Relief and Works Agency: The Crux of the Arab-Israeli Conflict” at Northern Michigan University. He is the author of Religion, Politics, and the Origins of Palestine Refugee Relief. NMU’s Jewish Student Union is hosting his talk.

It will begin at 7 p.m. Monday in the Huron Room of the University Center. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served.

Romirowsky will speak about the roots and ongoing sources of the Arab-Israeli conflict, which refers to the political tension, military clashes and religious disputes between a number of Arab countries and Israel. He is the executive director of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East and holds a doctorate in Middle East and Mediterranean studies from King’s College in London.

His writings on the Arab-Israeli conflict and American foreign policy have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New Republic, The Times of Israel and other outlets.

“This is a ‘free speech’ event conveying substantive content,” English professor Gabriel Brahm said. “But genuine dialogue is welcome and robust civil conversation is encouraged.”

Brahm added the Jewish Student Union believes that open inquiry into complex matters of public concern is the best way to advance their understanding.

The Departments of Sociology, English and Languages, Literatures and International Studies are cosponsoring the event. It is presented in cooperation with the NMU Center for Academic and Intellectual Freedom.

Ancestral Women events to be held

MARQUETTE — The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center will host grand-opening events for the touring exhibit, Ancestral Women today.

Ancestral Women honors and celebrates elder women. It highlights the 12 Native American tribes in Wisconsin through hand-woven jacquard weavings. Events include a 1 p.m. opening ceremony, a 2 p.m. workshop with the Oshkii Giizhik Singers and a 3 p.m. presentation by weaver Mary Burns. All will be held in the center’s gallery in Gries Hall at Northern Michigan University.

Burns created the weavings based on photographs provided by tribal members. She redesigned them to incorporate other images and symbols, such as traditional beadwork and symbols that help convey a story about each woman and her tribe. Burns is an award-winning weaver, creating handwoven weavings, rugs, wall pieces, tapestries and felted work. She lives in northern Wisconsin.

The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center is a historical museum and educational facility on the campus of Northern Michigan University. The mission of the U.P. Heritage Center is to promote and preserve the history and culture of the Upper Peninsula through an active slate of exhibitions and engaging public programs for the whole region.

The exhibit will remain on display through Jan. 26.

MSHS parent teacher conferences

MARQUETTE — Parent Teacher Conferences will be held at Marquette Senior High School from 5-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, and on Thursday from 11:30-3 p.m. and from 5-7:30 p.m.

Parents are asked to register upon entering the building at the canopy entrance.

Marquette Senior High School students will dismiss at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday and Friday.