AFHU News Winter 2023

PAGE 38
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY
AFHU NEWS VOL. 31 PAGE 39
Einstein Visionaries Society Luncheon 2023
An Event of Biblical Proportions: American Friends
of Hebrew University (AFHU) Western Region Hosts
Exclusive Preview of the Unique Codex Sassoon
American Friends of Hebrew University (AFHU)
Western Region guests attended an exclusive
event to preview the unique Codex Sassoon
Hebrew Bible at Sotheby’s Beverly Hills on
Tuesday, May 2. On May 17, the manuscript sold
for a record $38.1 million dollars, one of the
highest prices for a book or historical document
ever sold at auction.
approximately 1,100 years ago, the contents
were digitized, reviewed, and analyzed by the
Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) Faculty
of Humanities researchers as part of its Bible
Project.
(L-R) Ambassador Meron Reuben with HU Student Ambassador Yona Shemesh
AFHU’s Northeast Region hosted its annual Einstein Visionaries Society Luncheon on September
12, at The Harmonie Club in midtown Manhattan. This celebratory luncheon recognizes generous
donors who have made a legacy gift to support the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. This year,
we recognized Dr. Saul Unter for his recent bequest in support of Hebrew University’s Robert I.
Schattner Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities and the creation of the Dr. Saul Unter
Endowment Fund.
The event was hosted by AFHU Western Region
Executive Director Justin Pressman. Sotheby’s
Judaica Consultant, Shaul Seidler-Feller, regaled
attendees with background on the Manuscript
named for its most prominent modern
owner: David Solomon Sassoon (1880–1942),
a passionate collector of Judaica and Hebraic
manuscripts.
The 466-page manuscript is the earliest,
most complete Hebrew Bible, containing all
24 books, and missing only 12 leaves. Created
Judicial Reform Parlor Meeting
Sotheby’s Judaica Consultant, Shaul Seidler-Feller, regales attendees
with background on the Manuscript
Our surprise special guest, and proud HU alum, was the Consul General of Israel to New England,
Ambassador Meron Reuben, who shared updates and greetings from Israel. Guest speakers
included Hebrew University Student Ambassador Yona Shemesh, who shared his journey to
Hebrew University and discussed the positive impact of scholarships on his life. The presentation
from AFHU planned giving consultant Neal Myerberg covered strategies for estate planning and
tax-wise giving.
Welcoming our guests was AFHU National and Northeast Region Board member, Frances Katz,
who established a bequest to endow a Chair at the Hebrew University School of Social Work. Fran’s
remarks reflected her deep connection to the University and paid tribute to her late husband,
George Katz (z”l), and his passion for Hebrew University, Israel, and global betterment. Closing
the program was Maura Milles, the Executive Director of the Northeast Region. A big thank you
also went out to our luncheon sponsor, PNC Bank, who continues to generously help underwrite
this important event.
HU’s Chancellor Prof. Menahem Ben-Sasson leads an insightful
conversation about politics in Israel
On Tuesday, September 19, twenty eight
members of AFHU’s Western Region gathered
at the residence of Michael and Corie Koss
for a discussion about political reform in
Israel with Hebrew University Chancellor,
Professor Menahem Ben-Sasson. Prof. Ben-
Sasson shared his perspective on the issues
surrounding reform, including public response,
and his optimism for the future. A focal point
of the evening was the impact that supporters
of the Hebrew University continue to have
on Israel’s continued growth and prosperity.
As the Chancellor stated, “when you invest in
education, you create expressive minds.”