American Friends of the Hebrew University

10/28/2026

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re highlighting research initiatives at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem that are helping shape the future of breast cancer care.

HU researchers are working to deepen our understanding of breast cancer and develop new approaches that could transform how the disease is detected and treated.

Recent work includes uncovering some of the earliest molecular changes linked to breast cancer and exploring new ways to target aggressive cancer cells.

From discovery to potential new pathways for detection and treatment, this research is helping expand what may be possible in the future of cancer care.

Learn more and join us in helping support the next breakthrough: https://bit.ly/4iGL1tn

10/27/2026

Following Israel’s 2026 election, what happens next?

Join American Friends of the Hebrew University on November 12 for a timely Zoom webinar with Prof. Reuven Y. Hazan, Professor in the Department of Political Science and Chair in Israeli Democracy and Politics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Prof. Hazan will examine the election results, the emerging political landscape, the challenges of forming a governing coalition, and what the outcome could mean for Israel’s future.

The program will be moderated by Patricia L. Glaser, International Campaign Co-Chair of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

📅 November 12, 2026
🕐 1:00 PM EST | 8:00 PM Israel

Register to join the conversation: https://bit.ly/4spTrIO

10/23/2026

Shabbat Shalom from American Friends of the Hebrew University. 🫶

Wishing our community a peaceful and restful Shabbat.

Shabbat Shalom 🫶

Photo credit: Jane Turner

10/22/2026

A remarkable group of leaders, scholars, and innovators has been recognized by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem with Honorary Doctorates.

This year’s honorees include three Nobel Laureates in Economics — Prof. Joel Mokyr, Prof. Joshua Angrist, and Prof. Alvin Roth — alongside Turing Award Laureate Prof. Shafi Goldwasser, distinguished scholar Prof. Sabine Schmidtke, and philanthropic and business leaders Steven H. Lavin, Danna Azrieli, Dr. Naomi Azrieli, Dr. Sharon Azrieli, and Marc O. Mayer.

We are proud to celebrate these extraordinary individuals and the impact they have made across academia, science, healthcare, philanthropy, business, and public life.

Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees! 🎓

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has awarded Honorary Doctorates to ten distinguished individuals, among them three Nobel Laureates in Economics: Prof. Joel Mokyr (2025 Laureate and HUJI alumnus), Prof. Joshua Angrist (2021 Laureate and HUJI alumnus), and Prof. Alvin Roth (2012 Laureate).

The University also recognized exceptional scientific and scholarly achievements by conferring degrees upon Turing Award Laureate, Prof. Shafi Goldwasser, and distinguished scholar of Islamic intellectual history, Prof. Sabine Schmidtke.

In recognition of their profound impact on higher education, healthcare, and public life, degrees were also awarded to visionary philanthropic and business leaders: Steven H. Lavin, Chairman of OSI Group; Danna Azrieli, Dr. Naomi Azrieli, and Dr. Sharon Azrieli of the Azrieli Foundation; and Marc O. Mayer, recognized for his longstanding civic leadership.

Photo: Maxim Dinshtein and David Sal

Learn more: https://international.huji.ac.il/Hebrew%20University%20Confers%20Top%20Honors%20on%20Nobel%20Laureates%20and%20Father%20of%20Slain%20Hostage

10/19/2026

A night to remember at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Saturday evening marked a historic milestone with the announcement of a $250 million gift from philanthropist John Paulson—the largest donation in the University’s history.

The evening celebrated an extraordinary commitment to the future of Hebrew University and the research, education, and innovation that continue to make an impact in Israel and around the world.

Watch highlights from this remarkable moment.

10/17/2026

A historic moment for the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. 🎉

American philanthropist and investor John Paulson has made a landmark $250 million gift — the largest in Hebrew University’s history — to support major advances in engineering, medicine, biomedical research, and trauma and post-traumatic stress research and treatment.

In recognition of the Paulson family’s longstanding generosity, Hebrew University’s Mount Scopus campus will be named The Alina and John Paulson Campus, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem.

We are deeply grateful to John Paulson for this extraordinary commitment to Hebrew University and its future impact in Israel and around the world.

Read more in Hebrew University’s announcement below.

A Historic Quarter-Billion-Dollar Gift to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem!

We are proud and delighted to announce the largest donation in the history of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem: a landmark gift of a quarter of a billion dollars (US$250 million) from American philanthropist and investor John Paulson, announced this evening at the University's Board of Governors Gala in Jerusalem.

This extraordinary gift will enable the University to expand its research and teaching activities in fields of national and international importance, strengthening its contributions to science, medicine, and Israeli society.

The gift will focus on three key areas:

- Establishing a new Faculty of Engineering, strengthening interdisciplinary connections between engineering, computer science, medicine, and the life sciences.
- Advancing medical and biomedical research and education, including the development of innovative AI-powered medical training models.
- Promoting research, rehabilitation, and treatment in trauma and post-traumatic stress, while strengthening the connection between academic expertise and the urgent needs of society.

In recognition of the Paulson family's longstanding generosity and commitment to the University, its historic Mount Scopus campus will be named "The Alina and John Paulson Campus, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem."

John Paulson, Founder and Chairman of the Paulson Family Foundation, stated: "Hebrew University is also among the most academically productive institutions in the world. Given its quality and productivity, I can think of no more deserving university for philanthropic support than Hebrew University."

Professor Tamir Sheafer, President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, reflected on the significance of the gift:

"This gift enhances our ability to recruit world-class faculty, support outstanding students, equip laboratories with cutting-edge technology, and transform bold ideas into life-changing breakthroughs. This is far more than a historic act of philanthropy — it is a profound expression of confidence in Israel's human capital and a partnership in building our shared future."

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to John Paulson and his family for their trust, generosity, and longstanding partnership.

This historic gift marks a significant milestone as the Hebrew University enters its second century, empowering us to continue advancing groundbreaking research, educating future generations, and shaping the future of society in Israel and around the world.

10/16/2026

Congratulations to the outstanding students, faculty, and programs recognized at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s annual Rector’s Prize Ceremony!

The celebration honored 80 exceptional bachelor’s and master’s students, along with faculty recognized for excellence in research, teaching, and lifetime achievement.

The ceremony also celebrated initiatives advancing global academic collaboration through the 5th annual Prize for Excellence in Internationalization.

We congratulate all of this year’s recipients and are proud to celebrate the excellence and global impact of Hebrew University.

10/15/2026

Hebrew University alumni are coming together across the country! 🎓💙

From reconnecting over memories of Jerusalem to meeting fellow alumni and friends in your community, these upcoming gatherings are a chance to celebrate the connections that begin at Hebrew University and continue long after.

With events coming up in Maryland, South Florida, and Southern California, we hope to see members of the HU community there!

Explore the upcoming gatherings below and join us.

10/14/2026

A landmark $30 million gift from philanthropist Steven H. Lavin and the Sheba Foundation will establish the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Center for Advanced Medical Education at the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine.

The Center will pioneer a new approach to physician training, using AI and clinical simulation to help educate more doctors while preserving the compassionate, human-centered foundation of medical care.

We are grateful to Steven H. Lavin and his family for their remarkable generosity and longstanding commitment to Hebrew University and to advancing innovations that can improve lives in Israel and around the world.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has received a transformational $30 million gift from philanthropist Steven H. Lavin and his family foundation, the Sheba Foundation, to launch the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Center for Advanced Medical Education

This initiative will pioneer a new model for physicians training, utilizing AI and clinical simulation to educate more doctors while preserving the compassionate, human-centered core of medicine. The Center is being established at the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Medicine and will work in partnership with physicians from Hadassah Medical Center, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Kaplan Medical Center, and others.

This ambitious vision is championed by Steven H. Lavin, Chairman of OSI Group, whose longstanding support for Hebrew University continues his family's legacy of advancing research and education to improve lives. This gift is an extension of Lavin’s support of the university, which includes an earlier $18 million donation from the Lavin family foundation to establish the Sheldon Lavin Center for Safe, Secure, and Sustainable Food Systems in honor of his father.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the Lavin family for their extraordinary generosity and commitment to the future of global healthcare.

10/12/2026

New research from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem is shedding light on how national identity is evolving among Jewish Israelis.

Led by Prof. Gisela Dachs, the 2026 findings show a significant strengthening of national identity, alongside changing perceptions of Israel’s relationship with Europe.

Read more about the research and what the findings reveal.

A new study, led by Prof. Gisela Dachs from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, shows that national identity has significantly strengthened among Jewish Israelis. The data comes from the Hebrew University-European Forum Barometer, an ongoing survey that tracks the evolving mutual perceptions between Israel and European nations.

The 2026 findings reveal that a growing number of respondents now view the country as more Middle Eastern than European, alongside major shifts in how Israelis evaluate European allies.

Learn more: https://international.huji.ac.il/Hebrew%20U%20Study%3A%20Israeli%20Identity%20Strengthens%20Post-Oct.%207