2016/17
Towards the
Centenary...
...Our FUTURE
is Here
Towards the
Centenary
Save the Date
1-3 November 2016 – London
Prof Yaakov Nahmias (Hebrew
University Director of Bioengineering), Honours Club,
Medical Group, Alumni Group
2-9 November 2016 – Israel
11th BFHU Legacy Mission
“A Jewish Commonwealth which
would not regard learning as one
of its principal aims seems to me
unthinkable. For these reasons the
support of the Hebrew University
in Jerusalem and the maintenance
of its high standards are of decisive
importance”
With these words Prof Albert
Einstein, one of the founders of the
Hebrew University, set the bar very
high in November 1948 having
already done so once before with
the opening of the university in
1925.
University thanks to our loyal and
generous supporters, and through
our many events helping to
showcase world-class researchers.
Please make sure that a campus visit
is on your itinerary during your next
trip to Israel; the British Friends team
will be happy to help ensure that
you leave informed and inspired by
all you see at the Hebrew University
of Jerusalem.
20 November 2016 – Paris
European Brain Forum “Brain & Pain”
8 December 2016 – London
Young Professionals Chanukah party
25-29 December 2016 –
Birmingham
Limmud Conference 2016
Deborah Steinmetz, Director, Steven
Spielberg Jewish Film Archive at the
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
23 January 2017 – London
BFHU Gala Dinner, Claridges
Today the Hebrew University remains
loyal to the core principles of the
founder vision: rigorous scientific
enquiry through research which aims
to benefit society along with service
to community. Internationally the
university collaborates across borders
and continents participating in
research programmes, conferences
and workshops to help build further
relationships.
Many of the recent achievements of
the Hebrew University are reflected
in the pages of this publication –
new discoveries, innovations, awards,
success in securing prestigious
competitive grants – all helping to
secure the university's position as
Israel's foremost centre of advanced
learning and research, ranked in the
top 1/2% of all universities worldwide. The British Friends has long
been a partner of the Hebrew
7 November 2016 – Jerusalem
64th Annual BFHU Lionel Cohen
Lecture, The Right Honourable Lord
Dyson, former Master of the Rolls.
“Protecting Human Rights in an Age
of Terrorism”
March 2017 – London
Visit of Hebrew University Student
Ambassadors
16 March 2017 – London
64th Annual BFHU Legal Group
dinner. Chair Lord Pannick QC, guest
speaker The Right Honourable Lord
Dyson, former Master of the Rolls
May 2017 – London
Visit of Pears Hebrew University
Public Health & Agriculture
graduates from Nigeria and Ghana
With very best wishes
16 May 2017 – Jerusalem
65th Annual BFHU Lionel Cohen
Lecture, The Right Honourable The
Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, Lord
Chief Justice of England and Wales
9-14 June 2017 – Jerusalem
Board of Governors gathering
Nigel Salomon
Chief Executive, BFHU
8 September 2017 –
Washington DC
Dinner of the Century –
The Smithsonian Institution
Hebrew University
in Numbers
Technology Transfer
Awards of Excellence
52
9,325
2,625
880
110
287
96
42
14
8
1
1
Years of transferring technologies
Patents
Inventions
Licences
Spin-off companies
International
262
78
220
109
Academic agreements with
institutions in 44 countries
Competitive research grants
from the European Research
Council
Postdoctoral researchers from
26 countries
University and faculty level
student exchanges
Students
23,500
12,500
5,000
2,200
3,300
Total student body
Undergraduates
Masters students
Doctoral candidates
Overseas and pre-academic
students, postdoctoral fellows etc
1
Israel prizes
Rothschild prizes
EMET prizes
Wolf prizes
Nobel prizes
Fields medal in mathematics
Canada Gairdner
international award
Turing award in computer
science
Research
>100
3,600
5
>1/3
43%
30%
Research centres
Research projects
Affiliated hospitals
PhD students in Israel
Israel’s biotechnology
research
Israeli academic scientific
research
Rankings*
1
In Israel
*Times Higher Education rankings 2016
Teaching
6
7
315
973
5,673
Campuses
Faculties
Departments
Faculty members
Courses
3
What’s new at the HU...
Cleveland Clinic and the
Hebrew University to
Develop Global Centre for
Transformative Nanomedicine
Cleveland Clinic and The Hebrew
University are engaged in a formal
initiative to raise funds and develop
a virtual global Centre for
Transformative Nanomedicine. This
partnership will harness the power
of nanoscience and nano-technology
to revolutionise the delivery of new
therapies and treatments worldwide.
The new collaboration will advance
research and create a dynamic
exchange of knowledge, especially in
the areas of cardiovascular disease,
neurological disease and cancer,
blazing new paths in the emerging
field of nanotechnology, using
nanoparticles invisible to the naked
eye to create novel drug delivery
systems and medical technologies.
Ambassador Yossi Gal, the Vice
President for Advancement and
External Relations at the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem, has been
named a Commander of France’s
Legion of Honour. The honour was
presented at a ceremony hosted by
Mr Patrick Maisonnave, the
Ambassador of France to Israel, at
his official residence in Tel Aviv
yesterday. As Vice President,
Ambassador Gal works to enhance
the University’s relationships with its
many Friends of the Hebrew
University organisations around the
world. Immediately prior to joining
the Hebrew University, he served as
Israel’s Ambassador to France.
"Through and beyond your daily
routine as Ambassador, you, dear
Yossi, were a privileged witness to
the solid, multi-faceted and passionate
nature of Franco-Israeli relations,”
said Mr Patrick Maisonnave.
Dame Helen Mirren Meets
Arab and Jewish Students
at the Hebrew University
(L-R) Hebrew University President Prof
Ben-Sasson, Dame Helen Mirren, Prof Dror
Wahrman, Dean, Faculty of Humanities
Dame Helen Mirren, one of the
world’s most respected actresses,
spoke with Arab and Jewish theatre
students at The Billy Crystal Program
for Peace Through the Performing
Arts, at the Department of Theatre
Studies at the Hebrew University.
4
European Neuroscience
Outreach Award Goes
to the ELSC Brain
Sciences Center
Publications Coordinator of the Lily Safra
Center for Brain Sciences accepts a
Neuroscience Outreach Award.
The EDAB-FENS Brain Awareness
Week Excellence Award for 2016
was awarded to The Edmond and
Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences at
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
France’s Highest
Honour Awarded to
Ambassador Yossi Gal
Mr Patrick Maissonave, the Ambassador
of France to Israel, presents the medal of
the Legion of Honour to Yossi Gal.
live performance in both languages.
She also visited the Theatre Archive
and Museum, where Emanuella
Amichai, an award-winning
performance director, introduced her
work with Palestinian Israeli student
Elham Mahamid, ‘Place-Identity’,
performed last year as part of the
closing event of the Jerusalem Art
Festival.
They discussed what it’s like to act in
both Arabic and Hebrew, and gave a
The Dana Foundation and the
European Dana Alliance for the Brain
(EDAB) presented the award in
collaboration with the Federation of
European Neuroscience Societies
(FENS).
Celebrating special contributions to
the promotion of brain awareness
through continued public outreach
efforts, the Neuroscience Outreach
Awards were presented at FENS
Forum, Europe’s pre-eminent
neuroscience meeting, July 2016,
in Copenhagen.
Hebrew University awards
German President Gauck
Honorary Doctorate
Gestational Sleep
Apnea – Time To Wake
Up to a New Diagnosis
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
conferred an Honorary Doctor of
Philosophy degree upon Joachim
Gauck, the President of the Federal
Republic of Germany, at the
University's Harry S. Truman Research
Institute for the Advancement of
Peace in Jerusalem. The award was
presented by the President of the
Hebrew University, Prof Menahem
Ben-Sasson (L), and the Rector of the
Hebrew University, Prof Asher Cohen.
(R). The award was conferred in
recognition of President Gauck's
exemplary public service and his
defence of democracy, in particular
his devotion to a free and unified
Germany along with his dedication
to bring justice to the German
people; in tribute to his advocacy
against global racism, extremism and
anti-Semitism and his determination
to preserve the memory of the
Holocaust.
Recent studies reveal that around
one quarter of pregnant women
may suffer from Obstructive Sleep
Apnea (OSA), the recurrent cessation
or limitation of normal breathing
during sleep. In addition to causing
fatigue, the consequences of untreated OSA include high blood
pressure, high blood sugar, and heart
disease. In non-pregnant adults,
protocols have been proposed for OSA
screening, diagnosis and therapy.
In pregnant women OSA is usually
untreated, since it is still underdiagnosed, and not fully appreciated
as a risk for both mother and baby.
Sleep researchers from Israel and the
USA recommend a new diagnosis,
‘‘Gestational Sleep Apnea” which
would allow health professionals to
properly describe, diagnose and treat
OSA in pregnant women, and would
parallel other established transient
diagnoses of pregnancy.
Historic Find at Tel-Hazor
The award comes as Israel and
Germany mark 50 years of
diplomatic relations. Calling the
Hebrew University "an intellectual, a
philosophical and a cultural home
which unites Israel and Germany,"
President Gauck said: "When the
most important university in Israel
bestows this honour on the German
Federal President, it also symbolises
the depth of the relations between
our two countries."
A large fragment of an Egyptian
statue measuring 45 X 40 cm, made
of lime-stone, was discovered in the
course of the excavations at TelHazor, north of the Sea of Galilee.
Only the lower part of the statue
survived, depicting the feet of a
crouching male figure, seated on a
square base on which Egyptian
hieroglyphic script is inscribed. The
statue was originally placed either in
the official's tomb or in a temple –
most probably of the Egyptian god
Ptah. The text inscribed includes
words of praise to the official who
may have served and most probably
practiced his duties in the region of
Memphis, primary cult centre of the
god Ptah.
Top Honour to Hebrew
University Epigenetics
Pioneers
Columbia University has announced
that the 2016 Louisa Gross Horwitz
Prize, its top honour for achievement
in biological and biochemical
research, will be awarded to Prof
Howard Cedar and Prof Aharon
Razin, from the Hebrew University’s
faculty of medicine and Dr Gary
Felsenfeld, a colleague from the
USA’s National Institutes of Health.
Among the innovations attributed to
Profs Cedar and Razin is the concept
of epigenetic reprogramming, a key
process in development that erases
and re-establishes the ability of cells
to transform into different types.
Prof Aharon Razin (L) and Prof Howard
Cedar at the Hebrew University’s Faculty
of Medicine.
5
Linguist Prof Edit Doron
to be Awarded Israel
Prize
event, which took place at the
Rothberg Amphitheatre on the
Mount Scopus campus.
Israeli Minister of Education Naftali
Bennett announced that Prof Edit
Doron would be awarded the Israel
Prize for her work in the study of
Linguistics. Doron is a professor in
the Department of Linguistics and at
the Language, Logic and Cognition
Centre in the Faculty of Humanities
at the Hebrew University.
The Israel Prize
is considered
Israel’s highest
honour,
awarded to
Israeli citizens
and Israeli
organisations
that have
displayed
excellence in
their field or contributed significantly
to Israeli culture. The president of
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem,
Prof Menahem Ben-Sasson, said:
"Prof Doron has earned a place of
honour by advancing our understanding of how we use language,
and in particular the revival and
evolution of the ancient Hebrew
language in the modern era – a topic
dear to our hearts at the Hebrew
University."
The President surprised the audience by
joining fellow Honorary Doctorate recipient Miki Gavrielov to sing the popular Israeli song “Ani v’Attah” ("You and I Will
Change the World").
New method detecting
multiple diseases via DNA
Researchers have developed a blood
test that can detect multiple
pathologies, including diabetes,
cancer, traumatic injury and neurodegeneration, in a highly sensitive
and specific manner. The novel
method infers cell death in specific
tissue from the methylation patterns
of circulating DNA that is released by
dying cells.
Israeli President Reuven
Rivlin at Hebrew
University Convocation
The President of the State of Israel,
Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin, was awarded an
Honorary Doctorate and delivered a
keynote address at the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem’s Annual
Convocation. 277 Hebrew University
students were awarded Doctor of
Philosophy degrees at the festive
6
Cell death is a central feature of
human biology in health and
disease. It can signify the early stages
of pathology (e.g. a developing
tumour or the beginning of an
autoimmune or neurodegenerative
disease), mark disease progression,
reflect the success of therapy (e.g.
anti-cancer drugs), identify
unintended toxic effects of treatment
and more. However to date, it is not
possible to measure cell death in
specific human tissues non-invasively.
"In the long run, we envision a new
type of blood test aimed at the
sensitive detection of tissue damage,
even without a-priori suspicion of
disease in a specific organ. We
believe that such a tool will have
broad utility in diagnostic medicine
and in the study of human biology,"
said Prof Benjamin Glaser, head of
Endocrinology at Hadassah Medical
Centre.
British Ambassador at
the Hebrew University
The United Kingdom's Ambassador
to Israel, Mr David Quarrey, visited
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
last December, where he discussed
ways to deepen the University's
collaboration with British academic
institutions. Ambassador Quarrey
met with the Hebrew University's
President, Prof Menahem BenSasson, and Vice President for
Advancement and External Relations,
Ambassador Yossi Gal, followed by
a meeting with Hebrew University
scientists and grantees of British
Council funding schemes, and a visit
to the laboratory of Prof Eli Keshet,
a BIRAX (Britain Israel Research and
Academic Exchange Partnership)
grantee.
Leading Autism Centre
being established by the
Hebrew University and
Hadassah Medical Centre
With a planned investment of $75
million, this will be the leading
centre in the field of autism in Israel
and the Middle East. The Hebrew
University and the Hadassah Medical
Centre announced the establishment
of the first interdisciplinary universitybased autism centre in the Middle
East. The Autism Centre is a
collaborative and interdisciplinary
effort bridging several faculties
within the Hebrew University and
Hadassah Medical Centre, anchored
in the Hebrew University’s Faculty of
Medicine.
The Autism Centre will bring together
cutting-edge research, clinical
services, state of the art training and
education for professionals and
parents in the community. Research
will be informed by the relationship
with the community, which will in
turn lead to better clinical practice,
public programming and policies in
support of those who deal with
autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Scientists "break the
ice" on organ banking
After decades of studies, scientists
now believe that a breakthrough in
preserving body organs for the
purpose of saving lives is close at
hand. One of the main problems of
storing organs for more than a few
hours is ice growth. When organs
are frozen, expanding ice crystals
damage the cells in a way that they
cannot be revived.
That is why organs such as the heart,
kidney, liver, lung and intestine, are
kept cooled but not frozen, with
life-span not longer than several
hours. "The ability to freeze organs
and to then thaw them without
causing damage to the organ itself
would be revolutionary in terms of
our chances to save lives," says Prof
Ido Braslavsky from the Hebrew
University’s Institute of Biochemistry,
Food Science and Nutrition at the
Robert H. Smith Faculty of
Agriculture, Food and Environment.
technologies and innovations in
nanotechnology, sensors, coating
materials, electronic and 3D printing.
The past year saw impressive
achievements for Yissum in the
commercialisation of nanotechnology
research performed at the Hebrew
University, with 86 patents
applications filed, 29 approved and
16 licensing agreements signed.
Eight new startup companies
established during 2015 were based
on research performed by scientists
at the Hebrew University’s Centre for
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.
Student from Gaza at
the Hebrew University
The British Friends of the Hebrew
University is part of a consortium of
donors, including the British Council,
who are supporting the doctoral
studies of Mr Ahmed Radwan from
Gaza over the next three years. He
is carrying out research under the
supervision of the eminent Dr Yosef
Buganim into Stem Cell and
Regenerative Medicine at his
laboratory at the Hebrew University.
Breakthroughs in
Advanced Materials and
Nanotechnology
Yissum, Research Development
Company of the Hebrew University,
showcased the Hebrew University’s
breakthroughs in the field of
advanced materials and nanotechnology in its ‘Innovations in
Advanced Materials conference’ held
in March, at the Hebrew University
Faculty of Science, Edmond J. Safra
campus. The conference focused on
Ahmed
Radwan.
Prof Yosef
Buganim.
7
Only One Israeli
University Makes Times
Higher Education Top
200 Ranking
University was ranked 17th in the
Times Asia University Rankings and
in first place in Israel.
The World University Rankings is
published by Britain’s Times Higher
teaching and learning environment,
research and international
publications, international citations
of academic studies, innovation and
international outlook.
Education and uses data from
Thomson Reuters. It claims to
provide the only global university
performance tables to judge worldclass universities in the areas of
This year Britain’s Oxford University
rose to first place after being ranked
second in 2015, marking the
ranking’s first time that an American
university isn't in first place.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
was the only Israeli institution in the
top 200 of the Times Higher
Education World University Rankings,
coming in at 178th place, the same
as in 2015. The Times Ranking,
published for the 13th year, ranked
the 980 leading institutions for
higher education in the world.
Although the Hebrew University
made it to the same rank overall, the
institute’s grade in the ranking rose
in areas such as cited research,
student-lecturer relations and the
rate of international students and
lecturers. In June, the Hebrew
The Sternberg Prizes for Interfaith Understanding
in the Hebrew University Faculty of Humanities
The Sternberg Fund for the Department of Comparative Religion of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem was established
through the generosity of Sir Sigmund and the late Lady Hazel Sternberg in order to encourage inter-religious
understanding through the promotion of a wide range of academic and social activities.
The Fund has allowed a remarkable measure of support for the Department’s outstanding students: since the establishment
of the Fund in 1997, nearly one hundred Sternberg Prizes for Interfaith Understanding have been awarded to students of
the Hebrew University engaged in the study of religion.
In the academic year (2015-2016), six Sternberg prizes were awarded: two students entering the final year of their M.A.
course programme and four students who have completed their B.A. degrees and are poised to begin graduate study:
M.A. STUDENTS
Adonis Shehadeh
8
B.A. STUDENTS
Rabbi Dr Yossef Slotnik Ari Ben-Arie
Mauricio Lapchik
Abir Maliyanker
Avital Schenkolewski
Extract from 1924 letter from Siegmund Warburg to Lionel
and Anthony Rothschild, thanking them for teaching him about
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Rothschild Private Wealth is proud
to support the British Friends
of The Hebrew University
For more than 200 years we have proudly lent our support to the communities
in which we operate, always aiming to combine business with humanity, without
neglecting either.
Rothschild Private Wealth provides an objective long-term perspective on investing,
structuring and safeguarding assets, to preserve and grow the wealth of some of the
world’s most successful families, entrepreneurs, foundations and charities.
Helen Watson
CEO, UK Wealth Management
020 7280 5000 or [email protected]
rothschild.com
Left-right: Gilad Nesher, Ganit Elmaliach, Prof Stuart Stanton, Chair BFHU Medical Group,
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British Friends News...
‘S GROUP
WOMEN’S GROUP
LEGAL GROUP
A Stella Century
Lionel Cohen Lecture
Chaired by Suzanne Perlman, the
BFHU Women’s Group held a number
of fundraising events during the year,
starting in October with a lecture
given by award winning author and
television producer, Deborah
Cadbury, on her new book "Princes
at War".
November 2015 saw the 64th
Annual Lionel Cohen Lecture
delivered at the Law Faculty of the
Hebrew University. The lecturer, Sir
Christopher Greenwood CMG QC, is
a judge of the International Court of
Justice in The Hague.
Vice-Chairman, Stella Lucas, hosted
the group's popular Chanucah party,
with musical entertainment, candlelighting and festive refreshments.
Dr Martin and Mrs Nitza Sarner kindly
gave their home in March for a highly
successful "Night at the Opera"
evening featuring concert soprano
Ilona Domnich, accompanied by
acclaimed pianist, Marc Verter.
In tribute to Stella's 100th birthday
celebrations, Suzanne held an
afternoon tea in July, where guests
were treated to an "in conversation"
with Stella, led by her good friend,
Flo Kaufmann, on her early life in East
London and her life-long charitable
work.
Proceeds from these events support
scholarships for students at the
Hebrew University’s Agricultural
Faculty. The committee thank everyone who has attended events and
donated to their fundraising activities.
"Magna Carta and the Development
of International Law" was the title of
Sir Christopher’s lecture which
suggested that although the context
of the Magna Carta was 13th
century, it may have more relevance
to contemporary international law
than might at first sight appear. The
lecture hall was full and the lecture
was very well received by an
audience of law students, alumni
and faculty members plus invited
guests and dignitaries.
The Legal Group currently supports
the Clinical Legal Education Centre
at the Hebrew University, which runs
outreach centres for the socially
challenged and disempowered
members of the Israeli population. It
also supports Hebrew University law
students studying at the Centre for
Transnational Legal Studies at Kings
College London. Students from
North America, Canada, Singapore,
Australia and Europe study
comparative and international law,
enabling faculty and students to
interact with one another in a truly
global learning experience.
Prof Yuval Shany, Sir Christopher
Greenwood CMG QC, Jonathan Cohen
QC, Lord Pannick QC.
Legal Group
Annual Dinner
In March 2016 Sir Christopher
Greenwood CMG QC was the guest
speaker at the annual BFHU Legal
Group dinner in Middle Temple Hall,
chaired by Lord Pannick QC. Lord
Pannick presented Samantha Leek
with a limited edition of a statuette
of Albert Einstein for her ongoing
tremendous support for the Annual
Legal Dinners.
Lord Pannick QC, Samantha Leek QC
11
MEDICAL GROUP
On Neural Plasticity
Prof Amir Amedi, a member of the
Hebrew University Edmond & Lily
Safra Centre for Brain Sciences, gave
a fascinating illustrated talk on
neural plasticity. The event was held
at the home of Barbara Sieratski.
She and her son Dr Harry Sieratski
are generous and long-standing
supporters of the Hebrew University
both in the field of medical science
and in ‘Revivim’. The educational
programme aims to train students to
teach Jewish studies in an engaging
manner in the Israeli State education
system.
Prof Amedi (sitting) with Prof Hochhauser.
Henry Cohen Visiting
Professor
is organised by Prof David Katz who
heads JMED (the Jewish Medical
Association) in partnership with the
British Friends of the Hebrew
University.
12
New Chair of the Young
Professionals Group
Succeeding Jacqueline Caspi as Chair
of the BFHU Young Professional
Committee is Benjamin Stowe who
works as a commercial litigator for a
leading law firm in London. Ben hails
from Leeds where he graduated
from Leeds University with a firstclass degree in law.
Prof Lechler (L) with Prof. David Lichstein,
Dean HU Medical Faculty.
ALUMNI
Prof Menachem Ben-Sasson,
President Hebrew University,
(left) with Simon Tobelem, BFHU Trustee,
at an alumni breakfast event hosted by
Fladgate, December 2015.
Visiting professor, Sir Robert Lechler
travelled to Israel in order to visit
centres of medical research
excellence along with leading hospitals.
The Hebrew University formed a
major part of the visit.
Prof Lechler is President, Academy of
Medical Sciences and Executive
Director, Kings Health Partners.
The Henry Cohen visiting lectureship
programme has been in existence for
many years supporting UK
connections with leading centres of
medical research and clinical
excellence in Israel. The programme
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
A BFHU Alumni group event was
held at the home of Ruth and Noam
Tamir in July 2016. 40 years after the
event, Noam (who is a Governor of
the Hebrew University) spoke about
his experience as the youngest
serving officer on Operation Entebbe.
Ben first connected with the Hebrew
University through a summer ulpan
(Hebrew course) in 2008, later
becoming familiar with the work of
the British Friends doing voluntary
work in the London office. He joined
the Young Professional committee in
2014.
"I'm excited about this opportunity.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
is an inspiring place – an outstanding
institution whose achievements are
felt across Israeli society and globally.
Its commitment to academic and
research excellence coupled with a
pluralist ethic should strike a chord
with younger members of the
community". Added Ben, "And I
wish to thank my predecessor
Jacqueline for her hard work and
commitment over the past two
years. We're going to build on this
and aim to attract new members
through new exciting events".
EVENTS
Einstein Rothschild
Celebrating the 100th anniversary of
Einstein's General Theory of Relativity
the British Friends marked the special
event by holding an open evening for
friends and supporters with a lecture
given by former President and Rector
of the Hebrew University Professor
Hanoch Gutfreund, who is also
Director of the Einstein Centre,
respected theoretical physicist and
world authority on the life and
research of Albert Einstein.
A business breakfast event for
Yissum, the commercialisation and
technology transfer arm of the
Hebrew University was hosted by UK
Israel Business, in the City, in March
2016. Pictured (L-R) Yaacov Michlin
President & CEO Yissum, Hebrew
University’s Technology Transfer
Company, Mor Assia Co-Founder
I Angels, Hugo Beiber Chief Executive
UK Israel Business, Jon Medved
Founder & CEO Our Crowd.
Lunch & Learn
Kindly hosted by Clifford Chance at
Canary Wharf, in June 2016, Prof
Hanoch Gutfreund spoke about the
life of Albert Einstein, and in
particular, his role as one of the
founders of the Hebrew University.
Yossi Gal in London
Amb (Ret.) Yossi Gal, Vice President
for Advancement and External
Relations, the Hebrew University of
Jerusalem, was hosted by The Henry
Jackson Society in Westminster, April
2016.
Einstein, Gutfreund
and the Deputy
Ambassador
The event, attended by over 100
guests, was held at the beautiful Sky
Pavilion on the top floor of the
Rothschild building in the City of
London. The evening included a
display of Einstein original papers and
an open discussion at the end of the
lecture.
Yossi Gal (L) addressing the Henry
Jackson Society.
Prof Hanoch Gutfreund showing
copies of the original documents of
Einstein's General Theory of
Relativity to Deputy Israeli
Ambassador to the UK, Eitan Na'eh
along with Prof Jordan Nash, Head
of Physics, Imperial College
Yissum
During his visit Ambassador Gal also met
with Suzanne Perlman, Vice-Chairman
BFHU Womens Group and BFHU Patron.
Here, Suzanne is showing Yossi Gal her
certificate of Orde van Oranje-Nassau.
(L-R) Prof Nash, Deputy Ambassador
Na’eh, Prof Gutfreund.
13
JW3 Einstein
The British Friends of
The Hebrew University
was delighted to
partner JW3's Einstein
Festival, June 2016,
celebrating his life, 100
years after publication
of the General Theory
of Relativity
Neuberger Lecture
their views about the intense studies
they undertook at the Hebrew
University and how this has helped
positively impact their home country
since graduating.
The Parasol Foundation Trust has
been a long-standing supporter of
International Public Health and
Agricultural Sciences Masters
programmes. Ruth Parasol (pictured
centre, below) President, the Parasol
Foundation Trust visited her scholars,
all from India, studying Public Health
or Agricultural Sciences at the
Hebrew University's Robert H. Smith
Faculty of Agriculture, Nutrition and
Environment.
International
Students
14
Born in Dublin in 1912, Leonard
studied medicine at the Royal College
of Physicians, Dublin and the Royal
College of Surgeons Edinburgh.
He married Peggy whose family were
also from Dublin; they settled in
Newcastle where her family then
lived. Leonard’s and his family's
long association with the Hebrew
University were extensive: Chair of the
Newcastle branch from the early
'50s, regular attendee at the annual
Board of Governors gathering and
present at the rededication ceremony
of the Mount Scopus campus in
1967. Leonard became an Honorary
Governor and regularly attended the
annual Board of Governors gathering
in Jerusalem. Several endowment
funds were established in family names.
Martin McKee, Professor of European
Public Health at the London School of
Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who gave
the 2016 Neuberger lecture at the
Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
The Hebrew University is renowned
internationally for its expertise in
public health and agricultural
sciences. For many years generous
student scholarships for needy
students from many developing
countries continue to be provided by
Pears Foundation who have also
helped develop invaluable alumni
networks across the globe. The
British Friends is very grateful for the
financial support from Pears
Foundation helping to bring to the
UK two Pears scholars who will share
Dr Leonard Slotover FRCS(E),
Hebrew University Honorary
Governor and Honorary
Fellow, BFHU Patron and
former Honorary Treasurer
Nigel Salomon, BFHU CEO, visited Wen
Peng, Chinese Public Health Masters
scholar, funded by the British Friends.
Wohl
Sir Ian Gainsford, representing Wohl
Legacy, inspecting the generously
donated fluorescent plate reader
housed in the Core Interdisciplinary
Equipment Facility of the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem.
Richard Slotover comments
"the Hebrew University was by far my
father's favourite and most fulfilling
charitable organisation. He was proud
to be associated with its work"
Leonard passed away in
February 2016 aged 103.
Carter Backer Winter LLP
66 Prescot Street
London E1 8NN
+44(0)20 7309 3800
DX513 London City
[email protected]
cbw.co.uk
The CBW Foundation, the charitable arm
of CBW, is proud to support
British Friends of The Hebrew University
www.
www.cbw.co.uk
Israel’s First Academic Degree Programme
in Viticulture and Enology
Israel has experienced significant
maturation in its wine industry and
a surging international demand for
its outstanding wines. In response
to the growing need for skills in
the industry, The Robert H. Smith
Faculty of Agriculture, Food and
Environment, at the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem, has
opened Israel’s first academic
degree programme in wine: the
International MSc in Viticulture
and Enology, beginning in
March 2017.
recognised MSc degree, the first
MSc level degree in viticulture and
enology to be approved by the
National Council for Higher
Education in Israel.
Students will gain knowledge and
experience at an academic level,
consistent with leading programmes
in other wine-producing countries
such as France, the United States
and Australia. Upon completion,
the students will earn a world-
Programme leader Prof Zohar Kerem
said: "Following the success of
Israel’s wine industry, I’m excited to
open a programme that puts Israeli
research and academia on the
international map of winemaking.
The programme covers topics of a
spectrum similar to programmes
around the world, and has been
tailored to fit Israel's dry conditions.
The programme is innovative and
unique, and the participants will
receive training and guidance from
leading academics and industry
professionals.”
"The programme will provide
students from around the world the
opportunity to obtain a practical
Master's of Science degree, in a
fascinating industry that started
here 5000 years ago, from Israel's
leader and one of the world's
foremost universities. This will be a
great opportunity to meet people
from around the world, to form an
international network, and to taste
and produce some delicious
wines," added Prof Kerem.
15
An Invitation
John Sacher, BFHU President – In Memory
Michael Gee, Hebrew University Governor and former BFHU Chairman writes “I knew John’s
father, Michael Sacher, and first met John when I joined the BFHU Committee around 1978.
We got on well from the start as we were representing the 'next generation'. His family had a
long connection with Israel but John was involved with the Hebrew University as his grandfather,
Harry Sacher, was on the Founding Board of Governors of the Hebrew University in 1925.
We worked closely together, firstly as joint vice-Chairman to the late Ellis Birk. In 1986 John
became the Chairman and I was the Vice-Chairman. We travelled to Israel together three times
a year to the University’s Executive Committee and Board of Governors. John was close to a
number of professors. Although he was a main Board Director of Marks and Spencer plc, he
was an Oxford Graduate and an academic at heart. In 1996, I took over from him as the
Chairman of the BFHU and we kept in touch regularly. John and I were both awarded Honorary
Doctorates of the University. John will be missed but the Sacher name will forever remain part
of the history and fabric of the Hebrew University”. John passed away 30 August 2016.
16
The Hebrew University and
Smithsonian Institution launch
Einstein legacy project
A grand initiative to mark Albert Einstein's legacy
In May 2016 the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem and the
Smithsonian Institution
established a collaboration
between the Smithsonian Science
Education Center and Hebrew
University’s Einstein Foundation.
The broad initiative encompasses
several projects that celebrate
Albert Einstein’s legacy, promote
peace and advocate for greater
education in science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics –
collectively known as ‘STEM’.
“Together, the Smithsonian and the
Hebrew University have more than
250 years of experience in research,
exploration, education and
discovery,” said Skorton. “I see a
bright future for this partnership.
Many scientists, scholars, students,
teachers and parents will benefit.”
As co-founder of the Hebrew
University almost a century ago,
Einstein left his entire estate and
intellectual legacy to the institution,
including more than 80,000
documents related to his work.
Smiithsonian building.
Hebrew University
Mount Scopus campus.
Photo: Ferdinand Schmutzer
The foundation draws on the memory
of Einstein to inspire scientific
imagination and creativity. Signing
the agreement were secretary of the
Smithsonian David Skorton and
Hebrew University President Prof
Menahem Ben-Sasson.
The main elements of this
celebration of the life and vision of
Albert Einstein will be a fundraising
Smithsonian-hosted 'Dinner of the
Century’ on 8 September 2017 in
Washington DC serving as the
publication launch of a unique
3D printed book entitled ‘Genius:
Visions of the Future’, designed by
the renowned Israeli artist Ron Arad.
The book will be a compilation of
the wisdom and vision of 100 of the
greatest icons and leaders of our
time. In addition a 'STEM' summit
for scientists and innovators will be
held. Plans are also under
consideration for an Einstein Centre
in Jerusalem, showcasing the life of
Einstein through the vast collection
of his personal and academic
documents from the archive held by
the Hebrew University.
17
BANK LEUMI (UK) IS DELIGHTED TO SUPPORT
THE BFHU AND WISHES IT EVERY SUCCESS
We provide a wide range of Corporate and Private Banking
services to both UK based and internaonal clients.
Our areas of experse include:
• Private Banking
Execuve Mortgages
• Commercial Finance
• Commodity Finance
Internaonal Trade
• Israel-related Business
• Technology Finance
• Media Finance
• Property Finance
• Hotel Finance
• Asset Based Lending
(via Leumi ABL)
For further details please contact:
Edward Webster, Private Banking
+44(0)20 3772 1593
[email protected]
Nicola South, Commercial Finance
+44 (0)20 3772 1662
[email protected]
Shalhevet Mandler, Israel Related Desk
+44 (0)20 3772 1794
[email protected]
www.bankleumi.co.uk
Bank Leumi (UK) plc is authorised by the Prudenal Regulaon Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudenal Regulaon Authority.
Einstein at Spencer House
Hosted by Lord Rothschild at the
spectacular Spencer House in
December, 100 supporters of the
British Friends of the Hebrew
University were treated to an
intimate supper with an
exhibition of several display
cabinets of Einstein documents
showing key moments in his
personal and academic life.
Guests also viewed materials
showing Einstein's academic
connection the UK. They later
enjoyed a number of short
addresses including from
Hebrew University President,
Prof Menahem Ben-Sasson who
spoke about his vision for the
future and looked forward to the
University's centenary of its
cornerstone laying ceremony
which took place in 1918.
Isaac Kaye, Chairman BFHU,
Prof Sir Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal,
Prof Hanoch Gutfreund.
Isaac & Myrna Kaye, Yaacov Michlin
President & CEO Yissum.
(L-R) Nobel Laureate Prof Roger Kornberg, HU President Prof Ben-Sasson, Astronomer
Royal Prof Sir Martin Rees, Prof Gutfreund, Lord Rothschild, John Sacher, Isaac Kaye.
Prof Roger Kornberg and Prof Yahli Lorch.
BFHU Hon Solicitor Gordon Hausmann,
BFHU Womens Group Vice-Chair Stella
Lucas, Prof Gutfreund.
Zadok Ben-David, designer"Einstein and
Theory of Relativity" 2015.
Barbara Sieratski and son Harry.
Trevor & Daniela Pears.
Lady Collins and Nigel Salomon, CEO
BFHU.
19
Building a
Bridge to
a Better
Tomorrow
The 79th Board
of Governors
gathering –
May 2016
Friends from over twenty
countries gathered in
Jerusalem for the annual
series of events recognising
the achievements of the
Hebrew University, to
learn about its ongoing
development plans and to
celebrate individuals, both
academic and donors.
Opening Ceremony
Ambassador (Ret.) Yossi Gal (L) with
Chairman of the Board Mikey
Federmann at the opening party of
the Board of Governors 2016, held
at the Jerusalem Zoo.
Convocation
Ceremony: Honorary
Doctorate
The Hon Laura Wolfson Townsley,
Chairman of the Wolfson Charitable
Trust, and a Trustee of the Wolfson
Foundation was conferred an honorary
doctorate of the Hebrew University.
The scroll reads, "in recognition of
her tireless achievements to enhance
the quality of life in the United
Kingdom and the State of Israel; in
tribute to her continuing the Wolfson
Family Trust legacy, in particular her
dedication to the medical institutions
of the State of Israel and stewardship
of health and education projects; and
in appreciation of her ongoing and
generous support of the Hebrew
University in the fields of science and
nanotechnology".
The annual BFHU cocktail party was
held in the garden of the King David
Hotel in the presence of British
Ambassador David Quarrey and the
Hebrew University President, Prof
Menahem Ben-Sasson.
BFHU Chair Isaac Kaye with his wife
Myrna, British Ambassador David Quarrey,
HU President, Menachem Ben-Sasson.
Carole Berman with Michael Gee, Hebrew
University Governor, former BFHU Chair.
The Kaye Innovation
Awards
For 22 years these prestigious awards
have recognised cutting-edge research
leading to successful commercial
application. This generous initiative
comes from Hebrew University
Governor and British Friends Chairman
Isaac Kaye whose devotion to the
Hebrew University spans over 50 years.
2016 prize-winners with Isaac Kaye, centre.
20
The Annual BFHU
Cocktail Party
Benefactors Wall
Richard Ross, Chairman Rosetrees
Medical Research Trust (UK),
pictured below, was honoured for
generous and ongoing support for
medical science research projects at
the Hebrew University.
The Ellis & Alma Birk
Prizes
The Birk family represents four
generations of support since the
1940s, with prizes rewarding
excellence in both Agriculture
and Law. A special video greeting
from Angela Camber was screened.
Angela, unable to attend the
event, is the daughter of the late
Ellis Birk
The Polonsky Prizes
These prizes recognise both senior
and junior members at the Hebrew
University who have demonstrated
the highest standards of scholarship
in the humanistic disciplines. All the
recipients of this year’s prizes were
chosen by a committee consisting of
members of the Faculty of
Humanities, along with the VicePresident for Research and
Development, Prof Isaiah (Shy) Arkin.
Dr Polonsky is an Honorary Doctor
and Governor of the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem where he
serves on the Board of the Harry S.
Truman Research Institute for the
Advancement of Peace. He has been
a Lay Leader, Trustee and Patron of
the British Friends for over twenty
years.
The 2016 prize-winners with Marc
Polonsky (son of Dr Polonsky), centre.
Benefactors Breakfast
Leading supporters including a
number from the UK, gathered for a
breakfast traditionally hosted by the
Chairman of the Board, Mikey
Federmann, to honour major donors
and their partners. The breakfast also
provided a networking opportunity
as donors hailed from a wide range
of countries and backgrounds.
has promoted the advancement of
higher education through agricultural
and horticultural projects on the
Rehovot Campus. The Kennedy-Leigh
Centre for Horticultural Research, the
Kennedy-Leigh Central Library of
Agricultural Science, and the recent
Kennedy-Leigh Research Complex for
Ecosystem Services in Agriculture are
named in the family’s honour”.
Honorary Fellowship
Ceremony
Two worthy British Friends were
recognised: Hebrew University
Governor Noam Tamir, “in profound
appreciation of his heroic role in the
Entebbe rescue and his selfless service
to the Jewish Nation and the State of
Israel; in tribute to his commitment to
higher education, particularly his
innovations in biomedical health care
studies; and in gratitude for his warm
support of the Hebrew University in
continuation of his family’s legacy”.
The Wall of Founders
At a ceremony attended by Hebrew
University Director-General Billy
Shapira, Marc Iarchy and his family
from the UK and Belgium honoured
his grandmother, the late Thea
Zucker z”l. A distinguished leader of
the Belgian Jewish Community, Thea
Zucker was a staunch proponent of
the Hebrew University, and her many
years of unstinting and voluntary
efforts on its behalf, fostered much
support for its mission as the
University of the Jewish People.
Her name now joins that of her late
husband Joe on the Hebrew
University Wall of Founders.
Carole Berman, a Trustee of the
London-based Kennedy-Leigh
Charitable Trust, “facilitated the
ongoing commitment of the
Charitable Trust towards a doctoral
fellowship in Brain Research at the
Edmond and Lily Safra Center for
Brain Sciences. A magnanimous
supporter of the University, the Trust
21
Building the
Future of
Brain Sciences
The Suzanne
and Charles
Goodman
Brain Sciences
Building
The Edmond and Lily Safra Center
for Brain Sciences at The Hebrew
University of Jerusalem is a pioneering research facility for the scientific
exploration of the brain. Physically,
the building acts as a gateway
between the university campus and
city – its dynamic social spaces and
laboratory facilities are designed to
attract exceptional scientists, as well
as to foster an interest in the centre’s
research activities within the wider
community. The lead architects are
Foster & Partners, London. This year
the Hebrew University Scopus award
was bestowed upon Lord Norman
Foster in the distinguished presence
of Marina Abramovic, a Yugoslav
performance artist based in New
York. The event took place in
Geneva in the presence of the
Hebrew University's close friend,
artist Michal Rovner.
22
The building is arranged as two
parallel wings around a central
courtyard. The upper levels house
twenty-eight highly flexible
laboratories linked by social hubs,
which are conceived to encourage
interaction and the exchange of
ideas between students and staff.
mediated by a retractable ETFE roof.
The centre’s progressive environmental strategy makes use of passive
techniques to naturally reduce
energy use. Local materials, such as
Jerusalem stone, are utilised where
possible, and the building is
orientated east-west to reduce solar
At ground floor, there are teaching
facilities, a 200-seat auditorium, a
library, café and a publically
accessible gallery for the display of
brain art. The courtyard at the heart
of the scheme unites these different
functions, establishes new circulation
routes through the campus and
draws the greenery of the
surrounding landscape into the
building. Planted with citrus trees
and with a water feature along its
length, the courtyard forms a quiet,
reflective space and a cool
microclimate, which can be further
gain. The upper three levels are
shaded by a perforated metal screen,
with a pattern derived from the
neurological brain structure. Further
passive cooling of the building is
provided by translucent ETFE
canopies to the west and east, which
form distinctive markers for the main
entrances.
The Edmond and Lily Safra Center
for Brain Sciences is planned to open
during 2017 and rapidly take its
place as one of the leading centres
of its kind in the world.
An all expenses paid visit
to Israel and the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsor, the British Friends of the
Hebrew University is privileged to offer a unique Living Legacy
Mission to Israel and the Hebrew University where you will
explore, discover and be thrilled by this iconic land and its worldwide
acclaimed University.
Join us in Israel in November 2016 or
October 2017 for what could be the
best eight days of your life
• Scheduled daytime flights from and to London
• Stay in top class hotels
• Expert guided tours of Jerusalem and elsewhere in Israel
in air-conditioned coaches with English speaking guides
• Delicious kosher cuisine at top restaurants
• Exclusive, personal one-to-one access to the
Hebrew University’s eminent teaching staff, researchers
and enthusiastic students
• Relax in a safe, secure and welcoming environment
For more information about this mission contact
Gill Benson
British Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Supreme House, 300 Regents Park Road, London N3 2JX
Tel 020 8349 5757 or Email [email protected]
www.bfhu.org
To qualify you should be over 60, able to attend the full programme
and commit to a legacy to the British Friends of the Hebrew University.
Legacy Mission excludes Insurance. Programme and dates subject to change.
Terms and conditions apply.
Registered Charity no 209691. Registered Company No 6350828.
23
Get online to follow exciting
developments at the Hebrew University
www.support.huji.ac.il/
and at the British Friends
www.bfhu.org
British Friends of the Hebrew University
Supreme House
300 Regents Park Road
London N3 2JX
T: 020 8349 5757
F: 020 8349 5750
E: [email protected]
Y
Y90 K2
Y81 K54
British Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Reg charity no 209691 Reg company no 06350828
Reg address as above.
If you are a UK taxpayer the government will add 25p to every
£1 you donate to the BFHU at no cost to you. You must pay an
amount of income Tax and/ or Capital Gains Tax for each tax year
(6 April one year to 5 April the next year) that is at least equal to
the amount of tax that the charity of British Friends of Hebrew
University will reclaim on your gifts for that tax year. If you pay less
Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the current year than the
amount of Gift Aid claimed on all your gifts, then it is your
responsibility to pay any difference.