AFHU News Spring 2023

PAGE 36
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY
AFHU NEWS VOL. 30 PAGE 37
Frenchman’s Creek Mission
Late October witnessed a delegation of
American supporters of the Hebrew University of
Jerusalem take part in a much-anticipated event:
the AFHU Southeastern Region’s Frenchman’s
Creek Mission to the UAE and Israel.
The mission, which took place from October
24 through November 1, 2022, was led by
Elaine and Dr. Beno Michel, Sherry Norris and
John Bauman, and Hedy and Arnold Kanarick.
During the Dubai and Abu Dhabi legs of the
trip, participants received expert briefings on
the impact of the Abraham Accords; enjoyed a
visit with the Israeli ambassador to Abu Dhabi;
dined with the Jewish and Israeli communities
of Dubai; and experienced tours of the Sheik
Zayed Grand Mosque and the Louvre Museum
in Abu Dhabi.
The Israeli leg of the trip included a welcome
dinner with HU Rector Prof. Tamir Shaefer,
Vice-President and Director-General Mr. Yishai
Fraenkel, and Prof. Aharon Palmon, Vice President
for Research and Development. A visit to the
Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food,
and Environment at the university’s Rehovot
campus featured a discussion about Israeli
start-ups and the food tech industry with Prof.
Eugene Kandel, renown economist, past CEO of
Start-Up Nation Central, and former Head of
the National Economic Council and Economic
Adviser to the Prime Minister, followed by lunch
at SavorEat, a revolutionary food tech company,
with co-founder Prof. Oded Shoseyov.
Sunday saw a visit to the Edmond J. Safra
Campus and included a briefing by professor of
Structural Biochemistry Isaiah (Shy) Arkin, an
update on the elite military ‘Talpiot’ program,
and a visit to the Edmond and Lily Safra Center
for Brain Research (ELSC).
The Monday visit to Ein Kerem included an
informative meeting with the Dean of the Faculty
of Medicine, Prof. Dina Ben-Yehuda, and lunch
with students from the IDF’s Tzameret Program
for Military Medicine. This was followed by a
Founder’s Wall ceremony at the Mount Scopus
campus and dinner with former speaker of the
Knesset, Avrum Burg, at the home of Hebrew
University Chancellor Prof. Menahem Ben-
Sasson.
The final day in Jerusalem included a private
briefing with HU Vice President for Strategy
and Diversity Prof. Mona Khoury, and a farewell
lunch that featured former Mossad director
Ephraim Halevy.
AFHU missions provide high-level networking
opportunities, grow support for the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem’s thriving academic
program and research community, and
strengthen ties that link the American Jewish
community to Jewish communities and people
of goodwill throughout the world.
Frenchman’s Creek Mission Group in Jaffa
L-R: Arnold and Hedy Kanarick, John Bauman, Khalid Al Ameri
Frenchman’s Creek Mission Group in Jerusalem
L-R: Dr. Peter and Jane Feinstein, Amb. Yossi Gal at Founders Wall Ceremony
A day trip to Tel Aviv included a tour of the ANU
Museum of the Jewish People and a visit to the
Milk and Honey Whiskey Distillery, while a trip to
the Golan Heights included a tour of the Syrian
border with Brigadier General Ilan Lavi and lunch
at the Golan Heights Winery.
Frenchman’s Creek Mission Group at the Israeli Embassy with Amb. Amir Hayak
Frenchman’s Creek Mission Group at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque