Skip to main content

Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1989-

Biography

The Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies (1989- ) is Brigham Young University's center for study in Jerusalem.

The Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies serves as the hub for Brigham Young University's study abroad program in Jerusalem. Brigham Young University students study and live at the Jerusalem Center during their stay in the Holy Land. Students study a core curriculum that focuses on Old and New Testament, ancient and modern Near Eastern studies, and either the Hebrew or Arabic language.

The Center itself is located on Mount Scopus overlooking the Mount of Olives, the Kidron Valley, and the Old City. The 125,000 square-foot, eight-level structure rests on five acres of gardens. The Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies contains dormitory and apartment facilities for students and faculty, cafeteria facilities, classrooms, gymnasium, computer facilities, library, various auditoriums and theaters, lecture rooms, and offices.

The Brigham Young University Center for Near Eastern Studies was dedicated by Howard W. Hunter then President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 16, 1989.

Citation:
Bible lands, c1986: t.p. (Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies) OCLC 16882363 (hdg.: Brigham Young University. Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies)

BYU Organizational History Project website, via WWW, Nov. 4, 2014 (Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies; est. 1988; functions as an extension of the Brigham Young University campus and has a library, classrooms, learning center, student living quarters, cafeteria, and auditoriums; offers courses in Old Testament Studies, Ancient Near Eastern Studies, and Introduction to Arabic; directors, directors: David B. Galbraith (1988-1989), Martin B. Hickman (1989-1990), George A. Horton, Jr. (1990-1992), Truman G. Madsen (1992-1993), S. Kent Brown (1993-1996), Paul H. Peterson (1996-1997), R.J. Snow (1997-2000), Arnold H. Green (2000-2003) and James R. Kearl (2003- ))

BYU Jerusalem Center, via WWW, viewed January 22, 2014(Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies; Jerusalem Center is Brigham Young University’s center for study in Jerusalem; hub for Brigham Young University’s study abroad program in Jerusalem; students study and live at the Jerusalem Center during their stay in the Holy Land; students study a core curriculum that focuses on Old and New Testament, ancient and modern Near Eastern studies, and either the Hebrew or Arabic language; The Center itself is located on Mount Scopus overlooking the Mount of Olives, the Kidron Valley, and the Old City; the 125,000 square-foot, eight-level structure rests on five acres of gardens; the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies contains dormitory and apartment facilities for students and faculty, cafeteria facilities, classrooms, gymnasium, computer facilities, library, various auditoriums and theaters, lecture rooms, and offices.)

Ensign, Aug. 1989: Jerusalem Center Dedicated (The Brigham Young University Center for Near Eastern Studies was dedicated by Howard W. Hunter then President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 16, 1989)

Found in 12 Collections and/or Records:

D. Kelly Ogden slides of the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies gardens, approximately 1966-1997

 Series
Identifier: MSS 8214 Series 183
Scope and Contents

Materials include 24 slides taken between approximately 1966 and 1997 of the gardens at the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center.

Dates: approximately 1966-1997

David B. Galbraith collection on the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 952
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence between Brigham Young University officials, leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and other people involved in the construction of the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. Also includes newspaper articles, written reports, video materials, financial records, and other material concerning the Jerusalem Center. Dates range from 1968 to 1994.

Dates: 1968-1994

Jerusalem Branch records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Vault MSS 799
Scope and Contents

Records documenting branch and Israel District operations include agendas, budget and financial information, correspondence, records relating to Orson Hyde Memorial Gardens, minutes, Book of Mormon translation file, and photographs.

Dates: 1977-1984

Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies architectural records, 1982-1986

 Series
Identifier: UA 1072 Series 4
Scope and Contents

Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies architectural records, including photographs, architectural renderings, blueprints, sketch drawings, and two 3-D models. Collected by Robert C. Taylor. Dated 1982-1986.

Dates: 1982-1986

Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies artifacts, approximately 1965-1988

 Series
Identifier: UA 1072 Series 8
Scope and Contents

Contains artifacts, including Robert C. Taylor's BYU Travel Study name badge and keepsake stones from the Jerusalem Center's time capsule ceremony. Dated approximately 1965-1988.

Dates: approximately 1965-1988

Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies minutes, 1983-1988

 Series
Identifier: UA 1072 Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains agendas, minutes, and memorandums of the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies Committee, later called the Jerusalem Center Academic Coordinating Committee. Materials discuss the creation of curriculum and faculty selection for the center. Collected by Robert C. Taylor. Materials dated 1983-1988.

Dates: 1983-1988

Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies records

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: UA 793
Scope and Contents

Records include student directories, newspaper clippings, transcripts for radio broadcasts, Latter-day Saint proselyting materials, and correspondence relating to the Jerusalem Center and Latter-day Saint presence in Israel. The bulk of the materials deals with the controversy surrounding the construction of the Jerusalem Center.

Dates: 1972-1993

Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies records

 Collection
Identifier: UA 1072
Scope and Contents Contains records of the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, collected by Robert C. Taylor, dated approximately 1950-1998. Includes minutes of the Jerusalem Center Academic Coordinating Committee, administrative records, journals, histories, and records concerning the development of the center. Also includes architectural records, including two 3D models, photographic slides, photographs, and negatives, and audio recordings. Much of the material is related to the BYU Travel Study...
Dates: approximately 1950-1998

Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies sound recordings, approximately 1980-1987

 Series
Identifier: UA 1072 Series 6
Scope and Contents

Five audiocassettes of sound recordings associated with the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. Collected by Robert C. Taylor. Dated approximately 1980-1987.

Dates: approximately 1980-1987

Life is beautiful : a personal history

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197230332287]
Identifier: MSS 2340
Scope and Contents

Autobiography details memories of her childhood in Hunter, Utah; her mission to the Southern States; marriage; church service; assignment to the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center with her husband, Robert J. Smith; and family life.

Dates: 2001