AFHU News Spring 2024

AFHU NEWS 

Vol. 32 / Spring 2024 

KNOWLEDGE 

MOVES 

US

PAGE 2 

AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY 

AFHU NEWS VOL. 32 PAGE 3 

AFHU National Leadership 

Letter from Leadership 

PRESIDENT 

Pamela Nadler Emmerich 

CHAIR OF THE BOARD 

Clive Kabatznik 

VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD 

Richard S. Ziman 

VICE PRESIDENTS 

Kenneth L. Stein 

Ronald M. Zimmerman 

HONORARY PRESIDENTS 

Stanley M. Bogen 

Clive Kabatznik 

Marc O. Mayer 

George A. Schieren 

Daniel I. Schlessinger 

Ira Lee Sorkin 

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN CHAIR 

Herbert L. Sachs 

TREASURER 

Joshua M. Olshin 

ASSISTANT TREASURER 

Michael S. Kurtz 

HONORARY VICE 

PRESIDENTS 

Ernest Bogen 

Rita Bogen 

Michael G. Jesselson 

Herbert L. Sachs 

Charles A. Stillman 

Stanley R. Zax 

SECRETARY 

I. Steven Edelson 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY 

Richard D. Weinberg 

HONORARY DIRECTORS 

Alan Fiske 

Brad Karp 

Ellen Klersfeld Hechtman 

Dr. Steve Rubinow 

Lynne Silbert 

Robert Snyder 

Marla Lerner Tanenbaum 

Mark Vidergauz 

HONORARY CHAIRS 

OF THE BOARD 

Stanley M. Bogen 

Michael S. Kurtz 

Marc O. Mayer 

George A. Schieren 

Daniel I. Schlessinger 

Ira Lee Sorkin 

Dear Friend, 

Our current issue of AFHU News, Spring 2024, 

arrives during difficult times. The prolonged war 

in Israel, the continued captivity of over 130 

hostages in Gaza, a movement to boycott Israeli 

academic institutions, and unrest on college and 

university campuses here in the States seem at 

times like insurmountable challenges. Yet, amid 

eight of the most difficult months for Israel 

and Jewish people in recent memory, we draw 

strength and resilience from each other. Despite 

immense challenges, and with thanks to those 

who contributed so generously to the We Are One 

emergency fundraising campaign, classes at the 

Hebrew University of Jerusalem have resumed and 

groundbreaking research continues. 

The continuity of AFHU’s mission and the progress 

being made by our dynamic Hebrew University 

of Jerusalem community is a great source of 

pride. 2025 will mark the 100th anniversary for 

both the University and our American Friends 

organization. As we look forward to marking 

this significant milestone, we are reminded of 

the many achievements for which the Hebrew 

University is acknowledged: the training of public, 

scientific, educational, and professional leadership; 

the preservation of and research into Jewish, 

cultural, spiritual, and intellectual traditions; and 

the expansion of the boundaries of knowledge for 

the benefit of all humanity. 

impact on the University through the years. You will 

also find an update on the We Are One campaign 

mentioned above, a collective fundraising effort 

that is helping to meet the needs of students 

and community members affected by the war. 

Other topics include: an exploration of the special 

relationship between the Hebrew University and 

the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) through elite 

academic programs such as Havatzalot (military 

intelligence), Talpiot (defense technology), and 

Tzameret (military medicine); an open letter from 

an HU student to her Jewish peers on university 

campuses in the US and Europe; an overview of 

the impressive awards and accolades recently 

bestowed upon HU faculty members as well as 

updates on significant research taking place across 

HU’s campuses; and a recap of the recent AFHU 

events that have provided opportunities for us to 

gather as a community in support and recognition 

of our meaningful and important work. 

Thank you for your continuing partnership and 

support during these unprecedented times. 

With best wishes, 

AFHU is honored to play a key role in enabling the 

University to pursue its mission. This edition of 

AFHU News highlights several individuals whose 

transformative philanthropy has made a significant 

Joshua W. Rednik 

Chief Executive Officer

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3LETTER FROM ARTHUR 

LEADERSHIP 

14 

FRANCES BRODY 

FOUNDATION 

28 

NEWS & UPDATES 

8 

GUTTERMAN 

20 

HEBREW UNIVERISTY 

& THE IDF 

38 

EVENT RECAPS 

12 

TALIA AGAM 

22 

WE ARE ONE 

CONTENTS

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SPOTLIGHTS

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Transforming Tomorrow: The 

Philanthropic Impact of Arthur 

Gutterman on the Hebrew University 

A successful businessman and philanthropist, 

Arthur Gutterman is chairman of Jelmar, LLC, 

the Chicago-based manufacturer of popular 

household cleaning brands CLR and Tarn-X. He 

is also a generous benefactor of the Hebrew 

University of Jerusalem (HU) and many other 

institutions in the U.S. and Israel. 

In June 2023, HU bestowed an Honorary 

Doctorate upon Mr. Gutterman for his 

extraordinary generosity to Israel, to medical 

research at the University, and to Holocaust 

education. He is a member of the Hebrew 

University’s Board of Governors and American 

Friends of Hebrew University’s (AFHU) National 

Board of Directors. 

Arthur credits AFHU for his entry into 

philanthropy; his first gift to the organization 

was almost twenty years ago, a small donation in 

response to a direct mail solicitation. A few years 

later, the daughter of a business associate joined 

AFHU’s staff and provided frequent updates on 

the work taking place at the University. 

“We’d have lunch and she’d tell me about the 

groundbreaking research happening at HU. Then 

she’d politely ask me for a donation. Those ended 

up being expensive hamburgers.” 

When his wife, Emalie (z”l), passed away, he 

wanted to do something special to honor her 

memory. In 2010, he established the Emalie 

Gutterman Memorial Endowed Fund for Medical 

Research in Chronic Pulmonary Disease (COPD), 

a research fellowship for the study of rare lung 

diseases at HU. That same year, Arthur took nine 

members of his family to Israel and visited the 

University for the first time. During that visit, he 

had the opportunity to meet staff and faculty 

members with whom he has developed deep 

personal relationships. 

“AFHU and the University is really a family,” he 

said. “They make you feel like you’re part of the 

University and you’re not just giving money. There 

is a true feeling of partnership, and because of 

that, I have a genuine sense of accomplishment.” 

HU President Prof. Asher Cohen and HU Rector Prof. Tamir Sheafer 

presenting an Honorary Doctorate to Arthur Gutterman 

His interest and funding grew to support stem cell 

research for kidney disease. Over the years, he 

has given generously to Hebrew University’s life 

science research as well as capital improvements 

to medical research facilities, including the 

Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer 

Research and the Edmond and Lily Safra Center 

for Brain Sciences. In 2016, he established the 

Arthur Gutterman Family Chair in Stem Cell 

Biology. 

Mr. Gutterman is a supporter of other Israeli 

universities and hospitals, as well as many 

organizations across the United States, 

including the American Transplant Association, 

Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Boca Raton 

Regional Hospital, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial 

Museum, and several others. But just as his bond 

with HU holds a special place in his heart, so 

does the program he rescued at Florida Atlantic 

University (FAU). 

“I got involved with FAU by accident,” he said. 

A longtime resident of Boca Raton, Florida, Arthur 

lives just a few miles from FAU. Several years ago, 

Emalie had seen an article in the newspaper that 

the University was going to shutter the program 

that provided K-12 educators with Holocaust 

resources and education. Holocaust education is 

required in Florida public schools, but when both 

the state and the University cut its funding, FAU 

could no longer meet the need. 

“My wife showed me the article and said I had 

to do something. I said, what am I supposed to 

do about it? Then she told me ‘I don’t know, but 

you’re going to have to do something.’” 

Arthur made a few calls and with some initial 

support from the Jewish Federation of South 

Palm Beach County and others, quickly got 

involved in growing the program. He developed 

relationships with the program’s director and the 

president of FAU and made Hebrew University a 

collaborator. 

Today, the Arthur and Emalie Gutterman 

Family Center for Holocaust and Human Rights 

Education at FAU serves hundreds of grade 

K-12 teachers with age-appropriate curricula 

and resources each year. It also supports FAU 

students through professional development 

workshops, the Annual Holocaust Summer 

Institute for Educators, intensive travel-study 

opportunities, and community programs. And 

the Gutterman Family Exemplary Holocaust 

Educators Award sends seven to eleven 

outstanding teachers to Poland and Israel, 

including the Hebrew University, every other 

year. 

L-R: Jamie Gutterman, Arthur Gutterman, Alison Gutterman 

“One thing leads to another, and it all started 

with American Friends of the Hebrew University.” 

Arthur recently established a bequest endowment 

for Ph.D. fellowships. Now, he’s also taking 

advantage of an AFHU program to accelerate 

this gift during his lifetime. In a precedent set by 

Arthur’s friend and fellow board member Stanley 

Bogen, donors who establish an irrevocable 

bequest endowment of at least $100,000 can 

begin contributing an annual gift of 5% of the 

total planned gift, furnishing immediate support 

for the University. “It’s a good opportunity; it 

essentially allows me to turn a legacy gift— 

something I had already planned to do—into a 

living bequest. I get to see my philanthropy in 

action today, and I know that it will continue to 

support the work and people I care deeply about 

well into the future. I see it as a win-win.” 

In addition to the outstanding personal 

relationships Arthur has developed with so many

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people in the Hebrew University family, he values 

HU’s focus on diversity. 

“From what I know of other Israeli universities, 

HU probably has the most diverse student body 

in Israel today. And that is a very important 

factor, especially now. For many Arabs and Jews, 

the Hebrew University’s campuses are the only 

places they intersect. And the opportunities 

to learn together, to discover together, to 

understand each other, that’s where good things 

happen, where the foundation for a secure future 

can be built.” 

He is very passionate about Israel and about 

education. 

“Most of my donations go to schools. My father 

never got beyond the eighth or ninth grade, but 

he always said there are only two things that no 

one could ever take away from you. One is your 

good name, and the other is a good education. If 

you have both, you’ll be successful.” 

When he was told by AFHU staff that they were 

lucky to have him as a partner, he responded, “I 

look at it the other way around. I’m lucky to have 

you.” 

Anna Ravvin 

Anna Ravvin’s relationship with the Hebrew 

University started when she attended as an 

undergraduate and continues as she serves on 

the AFHU Mid-Atlantic Regional Board. While 

Anna enjoyed her time learning at HU, one of the 

best things she took away from the University 

was meeting her husband, Michael. The couple 

now resides in Washington D.C. with their 

two children. Learn more about Anna and her 

steadfast connection with Hebrew University in 

the video below. 

Dr. Jeffrey T. Kuvin Joins AFHU as 

Northeast Region Board President 

American Friends of Hebrew University was delighted to welcome Dr. 

Jeffrey T. Kuvin as the new Northeast Region Board President at its 

board meeting on January 30, 2024. Former Board President Neil D. 

Grossman announced the new appointment and welcomed Jeff to the 

new role. Neil, who held the position for four years, will stay on as a 

member of the Board’s Executive Committee. 

Ambassador (Ret.) Yossi Gal, Vice President for University 

Advancement and External Relations, thanked Neil for his strong 

leadership to the University, and Northeast Region Executive Director 

Maura Milles presented Neil with a bound reproduction of Albert 

Einstein’s 1912 manuscript on the Special Theory of Relativity in 

gratitude for his steadfast commitment, ongoing involvement, and 

generosity. In assuming his new role, Jeff said, “From generation 

to generation (L’dor v’dor). I am thrilled to take on this position to 

help further the mission of AFHU/HU. I am passionate about Israel, 

academics, and the Hebrew University, and look forward to working 

hard in this role. Neil did a great job as NE Board President and left 

(literally and figuratively) big shoes to fill!” 

Jeffrey Kuvin, MD is Senior Vice President of Cardiology and Co-Executive Director of the Cardiovascular Institute 

at Northwell Health, Chair of Cardiology at North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical 

Center, and the Lorinda and Vincent de Roulet Professor of Medicine and Chair of Cardiology at the Donald 

and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Prior to moving to New York in 2020, Dr. Kuvin 

was Professor and Chief of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center’s Heart and 

Vascular Center and spent many years in progressive roles at Tufts Medical Center and Tufts School of Medicine. 

Dr. Kuvin is Chair of the International Advisory Committee of the Kuvin Center for the Study of Infectious and 

Tropical Disease, founded in 1976 by his father, Sanford F. Kuvin (z”l). This committee helps further the Kuvin 

Center’s mission of advancing research to promote peace through cooperative science. Dr. Kuvin was Co-Chair 

of AFHU’s Titans of Global Health held May 2021, which honored Anthony Fauci and raised $1.5M in funds for 

the Kuvin Center and American Friends of the Hebrew University. 

He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the American College of Cardiology, the Board of Directors of the 

Kuvin Foundation, the Board of Governors of Northwell Health Physician Partners, and the National Board of 

Regents of American Friends of the Hebrew University. 

A graduate of the University of Michigan, Dr. Kuvin holds a bachelor’s degree in Near East and North African 

Studies. He was a swimming silver medalist in the 1985 World Maccabiah Games and returned to the 2022 Games 

and won 4 medals in the masters swimming competition. He earned his medical degree from Emory University and 

completed his medicine residency, chief medicine residency, and cardiology fellowship at Tufts Medical Center.

PAGE 12 



A Personal Letter to My Jewish Peers 

on University Campuses Abroad 

Talia Agam 

This blog appeared in The Times of Israel on March 6, 2024 

Talia Agam 

Dear college friends and peers abroad, 

Since university classes resumed in Israel, I have 

been struck by the stark difference between 

my campus life experience and yours, especially 

given the relentless antisemitism, anti-Israel 

demonstrations, and lack of action on the part of 

your university administrators, 

For me, studying in Israel was more of a given than 

for most. I made aliyah four years ago with Garin 

Tzabar, and I enlisted in the IDF’s Cooperation 

Division, so I was already here. I loved my army 

service and was inspired to study international 

relations in Israel. The decision to study in Jerusalem 

was an easy one - it runs in my family. My parents 

met and earned their master’s degrees at Hebrew 

U. My older siblings continued the tradition with 

semesters abroad. To me, Hebrew University 

represents a home filled with history, diversity, and 

opportunity. 

My reasoning aside, today, as a student at the 

Hebrew University of Jerusalem, I am really taken 

aback by the contrast between our respective lives 

on campus. I live in the Middle East. During a war. 

Meanwhile, you are facing so much overseas: Rising 

antisemitism, the fear of being Jewish on campus, 

and an unrelenting fight for Jewish identity. My 

experience here in Jerusalem is so different. My 

university is a place that embraces our identity as 

Jews, where I’ve never stood out for being Jewish. 

That part of my identity is only one aspect - not 

the whole - of how I show up on campus. 

I empathize with you for the immense pressure 

you face as a Jew on campus. You might think that 

over here we are immersed daily in “the Middle East 

conflict.” But the feeling of studying together with 

a strong Jewish population and with professors 

more concerned with teaching than using their 

platform for hate creates a highly supportive 

community. Other factors, such as small classes, 

make it easy to form relationships with students 

and professors invested in helping us succeed. 

Don’t get me wrong; I study with a diverse group 

of students. There are plenty of people native to 

Jerusalem and from around the world who come 

here to study who aren’t Jewish. Yet there is a 

mutual understanding here, and supportive and 

accommodating staff of religion and of different 

views. 

It may sound strange, but even with a war going 

on, I can’t imagine studying anywhere else. I have 

immense pride as a Hebrew University student 

at this time. That’s because I’ve witnessed 

firsthand the resilience of the people of Israel. I am 

constantly inspired by the volunteering, support for 

our soldiers, and incredible acts of generosity. The 

campus community has accommodated students 

and staff serving in the IDF or struggling due to the 

situation. The administration, faculty, and students 

have rallied together for the betterment of each of 

us, individually and collectively. 

My own experience here makes me wonder 

why more Jewish college students, especially 

those in the application process, aren’t seriously 

considering studying in Israel. There is a place 

where you can enjoy diversity on campus, get a 

high-ranking, international-level education, AND 

stand up proudly as a Jew without fear. 

Moreover, Hebrew University just opened up a new 

international Bachelor of Arts program offered fully 

in English starting this fall. It’s different (I say better) 

than simply spending a semester abroad. At the 

top of the list of benefits is definitely studying and 

living in Jerusalem, a vibrant, interesting, diverse, 

and exciting city. There is an option of living in a 

secure student village, just a ten-minute walk from 

campus, and the campus is just 15 minutes from 

Ben Yehuda, the Shuk, and the rest of downtown 

Jerusalem. 

You can earn your B.A. in just three years, which 

is standard in Israel for most undergraduate 

programs. Tuition here is also significantly lower 

than at comparable elite universities in America (and 

Hebrew University is ranked among the world’s top 

100 universities!) In fact, the entire B.A. program 

costs less than a year’s tuition at most American 

universities. The high level of education, coupled 

with many opportunities to gain work experience, 

ensures that Hebrew University graduates are 

well-equipped for the global job market. 

Lower tuition, great city, internships, and a high 

ranking for the school are all pluses. But at the end 

of the day, isn’t knowing you can be a proud Jew, 

an active Jew, a supporter of Israel without any 

fear something every one of us should just be able 

to expect? 

To all my friends and peers who are risking your 

physical safety and psychological well-being 

simply for being Jewish, I strongly encourage you 

to consider joining me here. Studying in Israel is an 

investment in yourself. You will be able to thrive 

on a campus that is focused on academics, not 

advocacy. It may be an academic choice, but it’s 

also a life-changing decision that will allow you, as 

a Jewish university student, just to be a student. 

Talia Agam, originally from Portland, Oregon, 

made aliyah and served in the IDF Cooperation 

(International) Division. She is studying international 

relations and business management at the Hebrew 

University of Jerusalem.

PAGE 14 



You Are What You Eat: Food Science, 

Nutrition, and Medical Research Funded 

by the Frances Brody Foundation 

Israel is recognized today as a leader in food 

science and agriculture, and that is in no small part 

thanks to philanthropists like U.S. supermarket 

innovator Herbert Brody (z”), and his wife 

Frances (z”l), who have dedicated significant 

resources to the innovative work taking place at 

the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. 

As founders of the Herb and Frances Brody 

Center for Food Science and Nutrition in 1983, 

they provided resources that for decades have 

driven Israeli innovation in food research and 

development. 

Today, the Center fosters a multidisciplinary 

research environment that combines biochemical 

and medical expertise in nutrition and metabolism, 

with an understanding of the chemistry, physics, 

microbiology, and technology of food and food 

components. The Brody Center’s goal is to develop 

more nutritious and sustainable food sources as 

well as reduce food insecurity worldwide, not just 

in Israel. As the age-old saying goes, “You are what 

you eat.” 

“The Brody Center is 

unique in its combination 

of food science, nutrition 

research, and education in 

a single institute,” explains 

Prof. Ido Braslavsky, head 

of the Hebrew University 

Institute of Biochemistry, 

Food Science, and 

Nutrition, who leads the 

Prof. Ido Braslavsky 

interdisciplinary programs 

at the Brody Center. “Biochemistry connects 

food and nutrition so we can take a close look at 

the human body’s metabolic processes. But we 

also use food science to develop less perishable 

produce and explore alternative food resources 

and more nutritious ingredients. Together with 

agriculture research that seeks drought-resistant 

and high-yield seeds, we focus on feeding a world 

facing food insecurity.” 

Food safety and security are prominent Brody 

Center goals. Approximately 100 Hebrew 

University graduate and Ph.D. students, alongside 

250 undergraduate students, are pursuing food 

science degrees. Approximately 300 students 

are enrolled in the nutrition program, widely 

considered the best in Israel. 

The Brody Center has four major areas of 

research expertise: Nutrition and Health, 

focused on the effect of diet on gene 

expression and metabolism, nutrigenomics 

and nutrigenetics; Clinical and Community 

Nutrition Interventions, including educational 

programming for schoolchildren; Functional 

Foods and Nutraceuticals, which focuses on 

investigating the therapeutic properties of food 

products; and Food Science, Technology, and 

Biochemistry, research designed to improve 

food quality and safety and develop innovative 

technologies for new product development. 

In just the past few years, many companies have 

been established based on the innovations of 

Brody Center researchers. Among them are: 

Prevera - Enables safe and healthy food 

production by utilizing food protection proteins, 

which eliminate harmful preservatives and 

reduce food waste. 

SavorEat - AI-based 3-D printing technology 

creates tasty meatless burgers and other 

products cooked by a robotic chef with various 

flavors and nutritional content, which will reduce 

waste while customizing each person’s culinary 

experience. 

ChickP - Breakthrough, patented technology 

for producing functional, 90% chickpea proteins 

that can be used in meat and dairy-like foods, 

beverages, pastries, snacks, and cereals. 

BetterJuice - Empowers food producers to 

introduce more nutrition, creativity, and appeal 

into a wide array of natural fruit-based products 

by dramatically lowering their natural sugar 

content using non-GMO microorganisms to 

convert sugars to dietary fibers. 

WonderVeggie - A startup seeking to marry 

the benefits of fresh vegetables with healthy 

probiotics to help reduce the risk of cancer. 

Fresh vegetables, food, and nutrition are both 

the future of the Brody Center and the legacy of 

the Brody family business. As a teenager, founder 

Herb Brody lived above the local grocery store in 

East Orange, New Jersey. In the early 1950s, he 

opened his own store in Scotch Plains, and along 

with other mom-and-pop grocers joined the 

Wakefern Food cooperative to unify marketing 

and purchasing benefits under a single name — 

ShopRite. 

“My father was a pioneer in the food business 

in so many ways,” says his daughter, Susanne 

Brody. The ShopRite cooperative was at the 

forefront of grocery store innovations. In the 

mid-1960s, ShopRite stores pioneered late night 

and Sunday hours. With Herb as president, 

creative merchandising techniques such as 

watermelon contests, carnival games, pony 

rides, and 10¢ coupons, along with ShopRite’s 

low prices, made food shopping more exciting. 

Ultimately, he left with his partners and formed a 

new company, expanding his food empire to 160 

stores under the Pathmark label. 

Having achieved success feeding Americans in 

the northeast U.S., he then used his food industry 

experience to help the State of Israel. “In 1967, 

after the Six Day War, my father attended a world 

economic conference in Israel,” recounts Brody. 

“At that time, he recognized the need to develop 

international distribution for Israeli food and 

agricultural products to help Israel’s economy, 

so he began importing Israeli food products to 

the U.S.” 

As Herb began working with his food industry 

counterparts in Israel, he became aware of the 

agricultural research and innovation underway at 

Hebrew University. Together, Herb and Frances 

served for many years as board members of 

American Friends of the Hebrew University 

(AFHU). “They established the Brody Center in 

1983, but my father unfortunately didn’t live to 

see that dream come true,” Susanne explains. 

Nevertheless, until her death, Frances and the 

Brody family continued to be involved with 

Hebrew University supporters in a wide range 

of activities, through the Brody Center at the 

Hebrew University Rehovot campus and beyond. 

Fran’s great passion for children led to the 

establishment of the Frances Brody Student Aid 

Endowment Fund for Handicapped Students. 

The Brody family has also generously supported 

several vital Hebrew University programs 

including the Krueger Center for Finance, the 

Lautenberg Center for Immunology and Cancer 

Research, the Rothberg International School, 

and the Avraham Harman Memorial Fund. 

In the wake of the October 7 th tragedy, the 

Brodys have been significant contributors to the 

Hebrew University “We Are One” fund to support 

students called up to serve in the Israel-Hamas 

War. The family is also funding fellowships at 

the Faculty of Medicine for the study of breast 

cancer and focusing on genetic cancer research. 

Contributing to the University is a family affair. 

The Brody Family Foundation is overseen by 

Herb and Frances’ children: Susanne Brody, 

Gordon Keil (the husband of Wendy Brody Keil 

z”l), Patti Lehrhoff, and Andrew Brody. 

The Brody family legacy at the Hebrew 

University has played an important role in the 

University’s agricultural research, which has 

included supporting breakthroughs such as 

the cultivation of seeds for arid climates, drip 

irrigation technologies, and the world’s first

PAGE 16 



disease-resistant, vine-ripened tomatoes. Today, 

research professors and graduate students 

benefiting from Brody Fellowships are working 

on groundbreaking projects in both food science 

and cancer research. Examples of current 

projects include the development of lactosefree 

milk using bacteria, and the use of computer 

simulations to uncover new genes that might 

indicate a predisposition to breast cancer. 

The Brody Family Foundation’s contributions 

will continue to have an impact for decades 

to come. “Our graduates pursue all types of 

food science industries and influence nutrition 

policies in Israel and worldwide,” Braslavsky 

says. “For us, the Brody family’s support is just 

like the resilient seeds they helped to develop. 

Their generosity germinates startup companies 

and breakthrough research and has helped 

cultivate many important advances for Israel and 

the world.” 

Patti and Daniel Lehrhoff 

Brody Family B’nai Mitzvah Trip (1991)

PAGE 18 



Charles H. (Corky) Goodman (z”l) 

Daniel Kahneman (z”l) 

American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) 

and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) 

are deeply saddened by the passing of business 

leader, distinguished humanitarian, and dedicated 

philanthropist, Corky Goodman (z”l). An ardent 

supporter of Israel and Jewish causes, his decadeslong 

devotion to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem 

will live on through his patronage. 

Mr. Goodman instilled a strong sense of Jewish 

affiliation in his children and grandchildren—in 2017, 

four generations of the Goodman family celebrated the 

dedication of the Suzanne and Charles Goodman Brain 

Sciences Building on HU’s Edmond J. Safra campus 

in Givat Ram. Mr. Goodman served as Chairman of 

HU’s Board of Governors and as a Vice President and 

Honorary Board Member with AFHU. In 2005, Mr. 

Goodman received a Doctor of Philosophy honoris 

causa from HU. 

In addition to his significant support of the Hebrew 

University, Mr. Goodman was a generous donor to 

the Jewish Federations of North America, the Jewish 

Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, the Jewish Agency for Israel, the United Jewish Appeal, and 

Brandeis University. The Goodman family’s philanthropy extends to the Jewish community and 

community development, education, arts and culture, medicine, and health care. 

Mr. Goodman served as vice chairman of Henry Crown and Company, on the board of General 

Dynamics and as an officer of the Arie and Ida Crown Memorial Foundation. 

We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Margie, children Richard (Kitzia), 

Leonard, and Barbara Manilow, grandchildren Daniel, Jordan, and Lily Goodman, Aaron, Jackson, and 

Maya Manilow, and to the extended Goodman family. May they be comforted among the mourners 

of Zion and Jerusalem. 


(AFHU) and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem 

(HU) mourn the passing of Prof. Daniel Kahneman, 

Nobel laureate, graduate of the Hebrew 

University, former lecturer in the Department 

of Psychology, fellow in the University’s Center 

for the Study of Rationality, and holder of an 

honorary doctorate on its behalf. 

During his years at HU, Kahneman developed, 

together with the late Prof. Amos Tversky, the 

Prospect Theory, integrating principles from 

psychology into economic science, and laying 

the foundations for the discipline of behavioral 

economics. 

Their new scientific paradigm overturned 

previous long-standing theories and concepts, 

brought about a revolution in all spheres related 

to decision-making, economic and other, and 

still informs the policies of governments and 

companies globally. 

Kahneman was a prolific scholar and influential 

author whose book, Thinking, Fast and Slow, 

introduced his work to the broader public and 

won widespread acclaim. 

We extend our deepest sympathies to his partner, 

Barbara Tversky, his children, and to the extended 

Kahneman family. May they be comforted among 

the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

PAGE 20 



From Medicine to Intelligence: How 

the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s 

Unique Partnership with Israel 

Defense Forces is Bettering the World 

Since the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks against 

Israel, the students and faculty at the Hebrew 

University of Jerusalem have been focused on 

their continued mission of making the world a 

better place. 

Yishai Fraenkel, vice president and director 

general of the University says the campus 

communities of the 100-year-old institution 

are experiencing a range of psychological and 

emotional traumas. There are those who have 

lost friends or family members or have suffered 

physical injury themselves. Still, they strive for a 

sense of normalcy. 

“We are not stopping. We are not halting or 

looking for excuses,” says Fraenkel. “Hebrew 

University is one of the most important civilian 

institutions in Israel, and we want to continue 

offering a world class education and world class 

research.” 

While their academic offerings cover a broad 

spectrum of disciplines from social sciences 

to medicine, the University’s partnership with 

the Israeli military has resulted in multiple 

programs that have been advancing research 

and development on a global scale for decades. 

“We have three major programs done in 

collaboration with the Israeli military: Havatzalot, 

Tzameret, and Talpiot,” explains Fraenkel. “These 

military programs are very important because 

this is an army to protect democracy, which is 

very precious.” 

Havatzalot: Training future military intelligence 

leaders 

More than a decade ago, the Military Intelligence 

Division established a program to recruit members 

of the Israel Defense Forces with the potential 

to excel as officers in the field of intelligence. 

The program has been at Hebrew University of 

Jerusalem since 2019. 

“Havatzalot is a three-year program that 

allows young students who are also cadets to 

complete a double-major bachelor’s degree 

with a combination of military studies and one 

other science like mathematics, computer 

science, economics, and sometimes philosophy,” 

says Fraenkel. “They finish their training, and 

they serve basically as the backbone of Israeli 

intelligence.” 

Troops who join the program graduate with the 

rank of lieutenant and must join the Military 

Intelligence Unit for at least six years. 

Tzameret: Elite military medicine that save 

slives 

Serving as a military doctor is not for the faint of 

heart, and admission to the Tzameret program is 

highly competitive. Candidates for the program 

must meet rigorous cognitive and physical fitness 

requirements. While participating in the program, 

students are allowed to defer their military service 

and later give five years as military doctors in the 

IDF. 

One of the main objectives of the program is to 

increase the number of career military physicians. 

The more highly trained doctors in the field, the 

better for anyone in need of critical care. The 

program is in its tenth year. As of the 2018-2019 

academic year, the total number of new military 

physicians in training, including those that have 

already finished training, exceeds 590. 

Like many of their other programs, Tzameret has 

a global reach. Up to 20 students in their sixth 

year of study are selected to participate in a onemonth 

exchange program with other militaryoriented 

medical programs around the world. 

Talpiot: Cultivating the next generation of 

leaders in defense and technology 

When you think of Talpiot, think of it as training 

people who develop technologies like the Iron 

Dome. The Talpiot program is one of the most 

prestigious academic and military programs in 

Israel, selecting exceptionally talented individuals 

from across Israel for training in science, 

technology, and leadership. 

“Talpiot takes those extremely bright scientific 

minds, those who excel in mathematics and 

physics so they can apply their talents to the 

development of military technology,” says 

Fraenkel. “Many graduates of this program go 

on to have a successful military career and later 

make their way into civilian life as successful 

entrepreneurs. They’re idea generators.” 

Though these three programs might be the 

most well-known, you’ll also find programs like 

the Institute for Research in Military Medicine 

where research and development in the areas of 

post-traumatic stress disorder, combat casualty 

trauma, and forensic medicine (or identifying 

victims) takes place. Additionally, the six-yearold 

Bina Elite Dentistry Reserve Track allows 

student-soldiers to maintain rigorous combat 

training standards. The Bina cadets serve as 

critical dental officers as needed. 

Solidarity across an ocean 

These programs, Hebrew University and the 

wider community are receiving critical support 

through the We Are One campaign, a special 

initiative organized by American Friends of 

Hebrew University along with the international 

chapters of the organization. 

“First and foremost, the We Are One campaign 

shows the solidarity of people throughout the 

world,” says Fraenkel. “Secondly, given these 

hardships as a university, the campaign makes it 

possible for us to continue our mission. We’re not 

just pursuing life, but the fullness of its potential.” 

Resources from the initiative support a wide 

range of immediate community needs from 

mental health services and legal assistance to 

hosting displaced individuals and funding unique 

scholarships for reservists called to duty. The 

initiative is also looking at rebuilding the future 

with programs promoting mental health, a shared 

society between Arabs and Jews, and even 

agricultural innovation. 

Show your solidarity with the Hebrew 

University of Jerusalem by giving to the We 

Are One campaign. Learn more here.

PAGE 22 



We Are One 

On October 7th, our world changed. 

As Israel and her friends continue to grapple 

with the evil witnessed on that day, the ensuing 

war, and the reverberations of antisemitism 

felt around the world, the Hebrew University 

of Jerusalem has set a course to prevail in 

the face of the current difficulties, and to 

continue to build a better and more just future 

by advancing knowledge through research and 

innovation. The University is continuing to 

address the immediate and long-term needs 

of its 28,000-person community, and the 

wider community, while also pursuing its core 

mission—to generate life-changing research 

and educate future leaders. 

scholarships for the 5,000+ reservists who have 

begun rotating out of active duty to resume 

their studies, as well as easing their integration 

back into courses through academic support, 

including group study sessions, tutoring, and 

recorded classes. 

In a recent letter to faculty members, Hebrew 

University Rector Tamir Sheafer stated: 

“Due to the terrible massacre on October 7th 

and the war that started after it, the semester 

began two and a half months late and in a 

shortened format of 11 intensive weeks. Over 

3,000 male and female students were still 

serving in the reserves when the semester 

began, and they are slowly returning to campus. 

As of today, over a thousand students are still 

recruited. 

program, which will allow them to complete 

the academic year, and in the long term, their 

degrees, successfully. 

I think we can all be proud of the way we 

are handling these challenges so far. The 

extraordinary mobilization of both senior and 

junior academic staff and the administrative 

staff to help students who were drafted into 

the reserves and those who were particularly 

affected by the war is inspiring.” 

[Excerpted from Rector Sheafer’s letter to 

faculty dated March 12, 2024] 

REBUILDING THE FUTURE 

Hebrew University has added three key 

initiatives to We Are One with the goal of 

contributing to rebuilding community, restoring 

hope, and securing the future of Israel: 

to fully realizing human potential. The events 

of October 7th, and those that followed, have 

badly shaken Israeli society and negatively 

impacted the relations between Arabs and 

Jews. The University will offer a number of 

programs—existing and new—to recommit to 

a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment 

for all, with the goal of creating a model to 

restore shared society throughout Israel. 

The We Are One campaign, established on 

October 9th, continues to support students 

and community members, including those 

from southern Israel and returning reservists, 

through the provision of mental health services. 

Donations to the campaign are supporting 

students in distress, providing advocacy 

assistance to families of the hostages, and 

helping to host school-age children in safe 

spaces on its campuses. 

In addition, We Are One is funding unique 

In a joint effort that included the entire university 

community, we built an academic, financial and 

emotional support system that is exceptional 

in its structure and scope, to help reservists 

and their children and spouses, and evacuees 

from their homes, successfully complete the 

semester. 

The second semester will also present us with 

many challenges. Many students will be recalled 

to reserve duty, and we will again help 

them in a targeted manner. Other reservists 

have postponed the start of their studies until 

the second semester, and in order to allow 

them to do so, we will offer a very large number 

of “replicated” introductory courses—courses 

that were given in the first semester and will be 

taught again in the second semester, in a variety 

of formats. It is imperative that we establish 

a personal relationship with each and every 

one of the reservists and the evacuees, and 

make sure that they have an appropriate study 

Mental Health and Resilience 

The University is seeking to establish two 

integrated programs that will pursue basic and 

translational research, professional development, 

and clinical interventions to meet the needs of 

children, adolescents, and adults for patientcentered, 

comprehensive, coordinated care. 

Arabs and Jews: Building a Shared Society 

The University perceives diversity as a 

condition for academic excellence and essential 

Partnership to Strengthen the Southern City 

of Ofakim 

In 2022, Hebrew University’s Robert H. Smith 

Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment 

began a partnership with the city of Ofakim, 

which was struggling with the loss of its textile 

manufacturing base to overseas competitors. 

Located in the south of Israel, 15 miles from the 

Gaza border in Israel’s agricultural hub, Ofakim 

was devastated by the October 7th attacks. 

Today, Ofakim’s leaders and University faculty 

have recommitted to their shared vision of 

restoring academic and economic opportunities 

for the city’s residents by advancing agriculturerelated 

education, and agri-tech development 

and innovation. 

Efforts to Support the We Are One Campaign 

As of April 1st, HU has raised over six million 

dollars in support of We Are One initiatives from 

supporters around the world, with American 

Friends accounting for half of all donations.

PAGE 24 



United States – 3,000,000 USD (50.5%) 

Europe – 1,506,000 USD (25%) 

Israel – 591,000 USD (10%) 

Latin America – 453,000 USD (7.6%) 

UK – 210,000 USD (3.5%) 

Canada – 210,000 USD (3.5%) 

WE ARE ONE 

While there is much work to be done, the Hebrew 

University of Jerusalem is committed to serving 

Israel by continuing to pursue knowledge, 

cultivate leadership and share its discoveries and 

achievements with the world. AFHU is deeply 

grateful for the outpouring of support received 

since October 7th, and we hope that you will 

continue to support these further initiatives. 

It helps to know that you are with us—because 

We Are One. 

To make a donation, click here. 

“American Friends of the Hebrew University will 

do everything we can to support our community 

members during the war and its aftermath, which 

we hope will bring lasting peace,” said Joshua 

Rednik, AFHU’s CEO. “We are inspired by the 

Hebrew University community’s commitment 

to volunteering in many capacities in Jerusalem 

and throughout Israel. As they serve us, we wish 

to serve them through the We Are One fund.” 

Hebrew University students, faculty, and staff 

mobilized volunteer efforts immediately following 

the terrorist attacks on October 7th. As the 

diverse, expanding needs of the country became 

clear over the ensuing days, the urge to contribute 

sparked a wave of volunteerism across Hebrew 

University campuses, where students and faculty 

came together to provide aid to people affected 

by the war. Agriculture students helping farmers, 

law students helping evacuees understand their 

legal rights, medical students putting their 

studies to work in hospitals, and dental students 

treating survivors and identifying victims—HU 

minds and hearts continue to be applied across 

the country. 

The Hebrew University 

Law Clinics At Work 

In Case You Missed It 

On Sunday, November 5, the Hebrew University 

of Jerusalem hosted a Zoom webinar titled 

“Fighting for the Israeli Hostages.” Featured 

speakers: Prof. Yuval Shany, the Hersch 

Lauterpacht Chair in Public International Law; Dr. 

Shiran Reichenberg, Executive Director of the 

Clinical Legal Education Center; and Prof. Tomer 

Broude, Dean of the Faculty of Law. Click the 

image above to view.

PAGE 26 



Charitable Gift Annuity – a 

Versatile Strategy for Personal 

Investing and Philanthropy 

Neal Myerberg 

Principal, Myerberg Philanthropic Advisors 

For decades, the charitable gift annuity (CGA) has 

been a valuable vehicle for individuals who sought 

high, lifetime, fixed-rate income accompanied 

by tax benefits. Rates, governed by approved 

life expectancy tables, enabled individuals to 

establish lifetime income plans (for one or two 

beneficiaries) in order to assure a predictable 

stream of income throughout their retirement 

years. The fact that the balance of the annuity 

would be paid to the issuing charity at the end of 

the lifetime/s of the beneficiary/ies, and not to a 

commercial annuity company, added significant 

meaning to the CGA for many. 

Over the years, many individuals established 

multiple CGAs in order to obtain higher fixed 

rates at older ages and to build a nest egg of 

assured fixed income to help pay for their costs 

of living. Often, CGAs became akin to a “lifetime 

certificate of deposit” with the additional benefits 

of income tax charitable deductions and annual 

tax-free income. 

The rules were quite clear. The charity would be 

qualified in regulated states to issue gift annuities 

and would assume the obligation to pay the 

annuitants throughout their lifetimes, even if the 

annuitants outlived the life expectancy tables. 

In highly regulated states such as New York 

(where AFHU has its principal offices), charities 

issuing gift annuities are required to maintain 

statutory reserve amounts in segregated trusted 

accounts in order to assure that obligations for 

payments of annuities are fulfilled. 

Here’s how it works 

Assume an individual, age 75. The fixed, lifetime 

gift annuity rate from the approved tables is 7%. 

Assume that the contribution amount for the 

gift annuity is $20,000. Therefore, the annual 

annuity amount for the individual’s lifetime would 

be $1,400, usually payable quarterly. If cash is 

used to fund the gift annuity, 67.4% of the annual 

annuity amount would be paid to the individual 

tax-free for the first 12.4 years (life expectancy). 

If the individual outlives life expectancy, the 

annuity continues to be paid and is taxed as 

ordinary income. In addition, there is an income 

tax charitable deduction in the amount of $8,303 

which can be used to reduce taxes (if the 

individual itemizes) in the year the gift annuity is 

established. 

Gift annuities may be for one or two lives. The 

rates for two life gift annuities are lower than 

the rate for the younger person individually since 

joint life expectancy is calculated actuarially to be 

longer than the life expectancy for the individual 

life of either party. 

The rate from the gift annuity tables is based on 

life/lives to the nearest birthday. Thus, if in the 

example above the individual is currently age 75 

but will be age 76 in less than six months, the gift 

annuity rate would be based on age 76 (7.2%). 

Using IRA funds to establish a gift annuity 

While IRA withdrawals could always be used to 

fund a gift annuity, they would first be subject 

to federal (and, sometimes, state) income taxes. 

While the income tax charitable deduction and 

the high, fixed, lifetime annuity rate would soften 

the tax cost of the IRA withdrawal, there wasn’t 

much appetite for this strategy. 

For years there was debate in the U.S. 

Congress about some tax-advantaged use of 

IRA withdrawals for gift annuities since they are 

charitable in character and benefit the charity 

when the annuitant dies. Nothing resulted until 

the passage of the Legacy-IRA Act as part of 

Secure Act 2.0, effective on and after January 

1, 2023. 

Beginning on that date, an IRA owner could 

establish a gift annuity using IRA funds (most 

often funds that would be part of a Required 

Minimum Distribution - RMD) to fund a one-life 

gift annuity (or for two lives if the other is the 

spouse of the IRA owner) without obligation 

to pay income tax on the IRA withdrawal. This 

vehicle, often called a Qualified Charitable 

Distribution (QCD) CGA, has specific rules since 

tax-free IRA funds are used to establish it. 

For 2024, the amounts that can be withdrawn 

tax-free from an IRA for a QCD CGA cannot 

exceed $53,000 and must be applied up to 

that limitation in the calendar year. There is no 

carryover permitted for unapplied IRA funds to 

a subsequent year. If spouses both have IRAs, 

they can withdraw up to $106,000 (2 X $53,000) 

to either establish individual gift annuities or a joint 

and survivor gift annuity. 

In exchange for the tax-free withdrawal from the 

IRA (thus, a tax-free withdrawal of all or a portion 

of the RMD), there is no income tax charitable 

deduction (which does not impact those who do 

not itemize deductions), and the annual annuity 

amount is taxed as ordinary income. 

Many individuals made use of this opportunity in 

2023 when the maximum amount was $50,000. 

Adjusted based on inflation to $53,000, those 

who waited until 2024 can take advantage of the 

higher allowable amount. It is important to note 

that under the current law, the use of one or more 

QCD CGAs must occur in one calendar year. 

It is evident that more individuals are taking 

advantage of the QCD CGA in 2024 now that 

there has been a positive experience in 2023 with 

this vehicle. 

How to proceed 

Feel free to ask AFHU to provide you with a 

confidential calculation of a traditional or QCD gift 

annuity. That information can also be shared, if 

you wish, by AFHU with your professional advisors. 

AFHU will be pleased to provide information to you 

without obligation on your part. 

Please contact us at plannedgiving@afhu.org 

or 212.607.8524.

PAGE 28 


AFHU NEWS VOL. 32 26 PAGE 29 

NEWS & UPDATES

PAGE 30 



Awards & Prizes 

Hebrew University Congratulates Professor Avi 

Wigderson on Prestigious 2023 Turing Award 

Photo credit: Peter Badge 

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) extends its 

heartfelt congratulations to former faculty member 

Prof. Avi Wigderson for being honored with the 

esteemed Turing Award—often referred to as the 

“Nobel Prize of Computing”—for his groundbreaking 

contributions to the field of theoretical computer 

science. The Turing Award is presented annually by the 

Association for Computing Machinery to individuals 

who have made significant contributions of lasting 

importance to the field of computer science. 

Prof. Wigderson’s research spans various topics within 

theoretical computer science, including randomness in 

computation, interactive proof systems, and the power 

of algebraic methods in algorithm design. His seminal 

contributions have profoundly impacted various 

areas of computer science, inspiring generations of 

researchers and forever shaping the field. 

Notably, quite a few of his papers that earned him acclaim were written during his tenure at Hebrew 

University, with several of his momentous papers being collaborative efforts with his former colleagues, 

HU’s Noam Nisan and Michael Ben-Or. This era marked a dynamic period in theoretical computer 

science—with HU emerging as a pivotal hub for computer science—largely due to Prof. Wigderson’s 

contributions and presence. Prof. Wigderson was a cherished Hebrew University faculty member for 

nearly 15 years. Today, he works as a mathematics professor at the Institute for Advanced Study in 

Princeton, New Jersey. 

Hebrew University’s Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy 

Awarded Prestigious Israel Prize for Investigation of 

Hamas Crimes Against Humanity 

Photo credit: Martine Hami 

Hebrew University of Jerusalem Professor Dr. 

Cochav Elkayam-Levy has been awarded the 

prestigious Israel Prize, the State’s highest honor, 

in the field of Solidarity (Arvut Hadadit) for 

her dedication to raising international concern 

surrounding crimes committed by Hamas around 

the October 7th attacks. 

Elkayam-Levy established the “Civil Commission 

on October 7th Crimes by Hamas against Women 

and Children,” an independent, non-governmental 

collaboration of international human rights experts 

and women’s rights organizations created to 

advocate for and support the investigation of 

war crimes committed by Hamas against women 

and children during the massacre of October 7th 

and the continuous war crimes towards abducted 

women and children. The Civil Commission 

obtained and distributed credible information and 

lent its expertise to relevant bodies in Israel and 

internationally. 

In the award committee’s deliberations, it was underscored that Dr. Elkayam-Levy’s unwavering 

commitment and dedication propelled her to act both nationally and internationally, culminating in 

the establishment of a Civil Commission dedicated to promoting human rights and gender equality. 

Dr. Elkayam-Levy is the Sophie Davis Fellow on Gender, Conflict Resolution, and Peace at the 

Hebrew University Leonard Davis Institute for International Relations. She teaches human rights 

law, international law, climate justice, and feminist theories at Hebrew University and at Reichman 

University. She is also the founding head of the Dvora Institute for Gender and Sustainability Studies, 

a Senior Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, Doctor of Juridical Science and 

former Human Rights Scholar of the University of Pennsylvania Law School; former Perry World 

House Fellow; A Salzburg Global Fellow for Outstanding Scholars in International Law, Washington 

D.C., and a member of the Israeli President’s new Climate Forum.

PAGE 32 



Three Hebrew University Researchers Awarded 

Prestigious Research Grants by the European 

Research Council 

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is thrilled 

to announce that three of its esteemed 

faculty members, Professor Maren R. Niehoff, 

Professor Nathan (Nati) Linial, and Professor 

David Kazhdan, have been awarded prestigious 

research grants by the European Research 

Council (ERC). 

Professor Maren R. Niehoff, Max Cooper Chair 

of Jewish Thought in the Faculty of Humanities 

at HU, has been awarded the grant for her 

research on the interface between Judaism 

and Greco-Roman culture, with a particular 

focus on the influence of Rome. Professor 

Nathan Linial, from the Rachel and Selim Benin 

School of Computer Science and Engineering, 

the Einstein Institute of Mathematics, and the 

Federmann Center for the Study of Rationality 

at HU, has been awarded a grant for his research 

into error-correcting codes. Professor David Kazhdan, from the Einstein Institute of Mathematics 

HU, has been honored with a grant for his research on uncovering hidden symmetries across various 

mathematical fields and exploring their applications. 

ERC grants stand among the most prestigious and competitive research grants offered by the 

European Union. They are bestowed upon leading researchers with substantial achievements in their 

respective fields over the past decade. 

Hebrew University of Jerusalem Celebrates Three Israel 

Prize Recipients Among Its Faculty 

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is honored 

to announce that three of its esteemed faculty 

members have been awarded the prestigious 

Israel Prize for their outstanding professional 

achievements. These recipients, both past 

and present faculty members, represent the 

University’s commitment to excellence in research, 

education, and innovation. 

Recipient of the Israel Prize in Psychology, Prof. 

Gershon Ben-Shakhar hails from the Department 

of Psychology at the Hebrew University, where he 

embarked on his academic journey after completing 

his doctorate at the Hebrew University. Proficient 

in cognitive psychophysiology, his research delved 

into various aspects, including the examination 

of physiological and behavioral responses to 

significant and unexpected stimuli. 

Recipient of the Israel Prize in Statistics Research, Prof. Ya’acov Ritov distinguished himself as a full 

professor within the Department of Statistics and Data Science at the Hebrew University, where 

he earned his doctoral degree. Widely recognized as a leading authority in the field, Prof. Ritov 

has made significant contributions to statistical theory, with a particular focus on high-dimensional 

models, empiric Bayes methods, and nonparametric and semiparametric models. 

Recipient of the Israel Prize in Life Sciences Research, Prof. Hagai Bergman is a neuroscientist and 

physician at the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Research and Faculty of Medicine at the 

Hebrew University and the Neurosurgery Department of the Hadassah Medical Center. He became 

known for his important contribution to the study of Parkinson’s disease and its treatment, using 

a neurological and psychiatric treatment method based on electrical stimulation and changing the 

activity of brain areas, also known as ‘deep brain stimulation’.

PAGE 34 



First Israeli Scientist, Hebrew University Prof. Haim 

Sompolinsky, Awarded Prestigious 2024 Brain Prize 

by Lundbeck Foundation 

Hebrew University of Jerusalem Prof. Haim Sompolinsky was 

named the first Israeli scientist to receive the prestigious 

Brain Prize from the Lundbeck Foundation in 2024, the 

world’s largest award given to pioneers in the neuroscience 

field. 

Prof. Sompolinsky, a physicist and neuroscience researcher at 

the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Neuroscience (ELSC) 

at the Hebrew University and Professor at the Center for 

Brain Science (CBS) at Harvard University will share the 

$1,412,066 (1.3 million euros) with Professor Larry Abbott 

at Columbia University and Professor Terrence Sejnowski at 

the Salk Institute (U.S.). 

The Hebrew University Tops ERC Consolidator Grant 

Wins for 2023, Garnering Around $12 Million 

On November 22, the European Research Council (ERC) declared that six researchers from the Hebrew 

University secured grants at the “Consolidator Grant” level. These individual grants, ranging from one and a 

half to two million euros each, cumulatively amount to 11.5 million euros (about $12,508,320). 

The recipients of the ERC grants from the Hebrew University include Dr. Erez Zohar from the Racah 

Institute of Physics, Prof. Yair Furstenberg, who chairs the Department of Talmud and Halacha, Prof. Oren 

Ram from the Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, Dr. Yonatan Anahory also from the Racah 

Institute of Physics, Prof. Katrina Ligett from the Rachel and Selim Benin School of Computer Science 

and Engineering, who also oversees the Federmann Center for the Study of Rationality at the Hebrew 

University, along with Dr. Nicholas Stone, also from the Racah Institute of Physics. 

Sompolinsky is renowned for his groundbreaking work in 

theoretical and computational neuroscience, particularly 

in the study of neural circuit dynamics in the brain. His research has significantly contributed to 

our understanding of how neural circuits process and encode information, map the external world, 

and participate in learning and memory. Through a combination of theoretical and computational 

approaches, his work has elucidated key computational principles underlying brain function. 

The Brain Prize, initiated in 2011 and awarded annually by the Lundbeck Foundation, is the largest award 

in neuroscience. It recognizes researchers whose work has advanced the field, from fundamental 

research to clinical applications. Prof. Sompolinsky’s research not only deepens our knowledge of the 

brain’s inner workings but also holds promise for applications in brain-inspired artificial intelligence.

PAGE 36 



Research Updates & News from HU 

New Method to Assess Water Efficiency 

to Increase Chickpea Crop Yields 

Natural Psilocybin Mushroom Extract 

Might Demonstrate Superior Efficacy 

for Psychiatric Disorders Compared to 

Chemically Synthesized Version 

Plant Lifecycle Insights: Big Data Can 

Predict Climate Change Impact 

High Adolescent BMI Increases Risk of 

Early Chronic Kidney Disease, According 

to JAMA Study by Hebrew University 

Researchers 

A new non-invasive technique for evaluating 

chickpea water efficiency, offers farmers a 

powerful tool to fine-tune irrigation and potentially 

elevate the sustainability of chickpea cultivation. 

New Model for Understanding Causes 

of Type 1 Diabetes 

A new study indicates that natural psilocybin 

mushroom extract might be more effective 

compared to a chemically synthesized version, 

offering more potential applications for treating 

conditions such as depression, post-traumatic 

stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia. 

cCMV Infection: Successful 

Implementation of Pooled Saliva Tests 

In a recent study, researchers successfully 

introduced pooled saliva polymerase chain 

reaction (PCR) tests for the universal screening 

of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection. 

This new method helps detect and intervene early 

in the most common congenital infection, known 

for causing hearing loss and developmental issues. 

A study published in the journal Nature examines, 

for the first time, the lifecycles of plants on a 

global scale, via the creation of a unique database 

containing huge quantities of data. The study was 

led by Dr. Niv DeMalach of the Robert H. Smith 

Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment 

at the Hebrew University; Prof. Itay Mayrose of 

the George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences at 

Tel Aviv University; and Dr. Tyler Poppenwimer, 

formerly a post-doctoral student at the Hebrew 

University and Tel Aviv University and now a 

researcher at the FDA. 

Mysteries of Mongolian Wall System 

Revealed 

Adolescent obesity significantly increases the risk 

of developing early chronic kidney disease (CKD) 

in young adulthood, according to a large cohort 

study led by Hebrew University researchers. 

The Dead Sea 

Scrolls: Shifts and 

Transformations 

A new model challenges the long-held belief that 

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is caused by viral infection. 

Oral Bacteria May Accelerate Pancreatic 

Cancer Development 

A new study indicates that oral bacteria leading 

to periodontal (gum) disease could accelerate 

pancreatic cancer development, one of the 

deadliest types of cancer. 

Veterinary Researchers Highlight 

Recurrent Outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth 

Disease (FMD) in the Middle East 

A pattern of recurrent Foot-and-Mouth Disease 

(FMD), a highly contagious viral infection affecting 

hooved animals, continues to persist in Israel and 

neighboring areas, despite vaccination efforts, 

requiring a more targeted and collaborative 

approach to disease management. 

Credit: Gideon-Shelach 

A new study on a previously overlooked 

Mongolian Arc—a monumental wall system in 

eastern Mongolia—reveals new insights about the 

motives and functionality behind the construction 

of this colossal architectural marvel. 

Learn more about the history of the Dead Sea 

Scrolls through this illuminating and in-depth 

interview with Hebrew University professors 

Michael Segal and Esther Chazon. Click the 

image above to view.

PAGE 38 


AFHU NEWS VOL. 32 28 PAGE 39 

EVENT RECAPS

PAGE 40 



54th Annual George A. Katz Torch of Learning Award 

Milbank LLP Chairman Scott A. Edelman and 

Prudential Financial General Counsel Ann M. 

Kappler received the 54th Annual George 

A. Katz Torch of Learning Award (TOL), 

presented by American Friends of the Hebrew 

University (AFHU) in Midtown on Thursday, 

May 9th. 

At the annual luncheon event, attended by 

over 300 guests, AFHU President Pamela 

Emmerich said, “AFHU is proud to honor Ann 

Kappler and Scott Edelman, two extraordinarily 

accomplished individuals who add luster to 

the Torch of Learning Award. Throughout their 

careers, they have distinguished themselves 

in the legal profession and their community.” 

The George A. Katz Torch of Learning Award 

is named in memory of the late George Katz 

(z”l), founding partner of Wachtell, Lipton, 

Rosen & Katz. 

As executive vice president, general counsel 

L-R: Scott A. Edelman; AFHU President Pamela Nadler Emmerich, Ann M. Kappler 

and chief compliance officer at Prudential 

Financial, Ann M. Kappler is the head of Law, Compliance, Business Ethics, and External Affairs, 

leading a global team of over 1,100 employees. She serves on the boards of directors of the Pro 

Bono Partnership (treasurer), and the National Health Law Program (chair). She has also actively 

served on the boards of the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, 

Appleseed Foundation, and Global Rights and was a longtime member of the board of trustees of 

the Lowell School in Washington, D.C., where she served as chair. Ann is a frequent speaker on 

topics such as legal and compliance best practices, diversity, and inclusion, and is an advocate for 

workplace mental health issues. 

Scott A. Edelman is Chairman of Milbank LLP and a member of the firm’s Litigation & Arbitration 

Group. He specializes in high-stakes, bet-the-company litigation across several substantive areas of 

the law, including securities, commercial, and white-collar crime. Prior to joining Milbank, he served as 

an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York from 1990 to 1994. Edelman 

started his career at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and is a member of the Board of Directors of the 

Legal Aid Society. 

Atara Miller, a New York partner in the firm’s Litigation & Arbitration Group and a Member of Milbank’s 

Global Executive Committee presented Edelman with his award. 

“I am honored and humbled to receive this award, together with my esteemed colleague, Ann 

Kappler,” Edelman said. “The Hebrew University of Jerusalem serves a vital role in educating Israel’s 

next generation of leading minds. In these uncertain times, the support that American Friends of the 

Hebrew University provides to this critical institution is more important than ever.” 

In addition, featured speaker, Prof. Tomer Broude Dean of the Hebrew 

University Faculty of Law, gave a talk on “October 7th and its Aftermath: 

Legal Challenges and Responses.” 

Now in its 54th year, the Torch of Learning Award has an illustrious history, 

raising awareness and important support for the Hebrew University 

Faculty of Law and the mission of its American Friends. 

Hebrew University’s Faculty of Law is a dynamic institution where 

traditional legal research is conducted along with trailblazing programs in 

international law, multidisciplinary studies, and human rights research. 

HU law alumni include the majority of Israel’s former Supreme Court 

justices (many now faculty members), legislators, attorneys-general, 

social activists, and heads of NGOs. 

Dean of the Hebrew University Faculty of 

Law Prof. Tomer Broude 

David Ogden, chair of the WilmerHale Government and Regulatory Litigation Group, presented 

Kappler with her award. 

“I am so honored to be receiving the prestigious George A. Katz Torch of Learning Award together 

with Scott Edelman,” said Kappler. “Hebrew University’s Faculty of Law is the preeminent law 

school in Israel, which educates outstanding future global leaders and innovators. I am humbled to 

be recognized by an institution that has graduated so many distinguished legal scholars. I thank 

American Friends of the Hebrew University and am supportive of their efforts.” 

Co-Chairs and Honorees of the 54th Annual Torch of Learning Award

PAGE 42 



Las Vegas Scopus Award 

David Z. Chesnoff, Las Vegas philanthropist and 

nationally renowned attorney, was honored with the 

Las Vegas Scopus Award on January 20, presented by 

American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU). 

The event was held at the Encore at Wynn Hotel in 

Las Vegas. 

The AFHU Scopus Award event raised more than $1 

million to support student scholarships and the Clinical 

Legal Education Center at the Hebrew University of 

Jerusalem, Israel’s premier institution of research and 

higher learning. 

Named for Mount Scopus in Jerusalem, the AFHU 

Scopus Award reflects the University’s highest 

ideals of achievement, leadership, and philanthropic 

engagement. The Scopus Award is given to individuals 

with a legacy dedicated to humanitarian concerns. 

At the event, AFHU Western Region Board Vice Chair, 

Patricia Glaser said, “David has strengthened 

David Z. Chesnoff and AFHU Western Region Board Vice Chair- 

Patricia Glaser 

the connection between Las Vegas and the Hebrew University. He is deserving of this award for his 

dedication to Israel, his service to the community, and his support of University initiatives.” 

Hebrew University President Prof. Asher Cohen and Prof. Tomer 

Broude, Dean of the Faculty of Law, paid tribute to Chesnoff at an 

exclusive event meet and greet for VIP guests. Alex Yemenidjian, 

Chairman of Armenco Capital, LLC presented the Scopus Award to 

Chesnoff. 

around the country as well as your commitment to Israel have made meaningful contributions to the 

lives of so many.” 

“David deserves the Scopus Award because he exemplifies everything the award represents,” said 

Governor Lombardo. “David brings our community together through his volunteerism, benevolence, 

and leadership – there is no one more deserving of this Award.” 

“During these dark and challenging times for Israel, American Friends of the Hebrew University is 

pleased to pay tribute to David,” said AFHU Chief Executive Officer Joshua Rednik. “He has given so 

much to Israel and has been a leader in the Nevada Jewish Community. His recent visit to Israel to 

serve as a hospital volunteer is just one example of his commitment and of why he is so deserving of 

this accolade.” 

A leading criminal defense attorney and a partner at Chesnoff & Schonfeld, a top law firm in the 

United States, Chesnoff counts Hollywood celebrities and well-known public figures among his clients. 

However, he is deeply committed to helping the underdog prevail against a more powerful entity. 

“My role is to see that the Constitution is followed and that every one of my defendants receives 

the best defense available,” Chesnoff said. “I am humbled to receive this award and that I am being 

recognized for having tried to be a good person.” 

“I feel honored to be named the 2024 recipient of the AFHU Scopus Award,” Chesnoff continued. 

“Israel needs us now more than ever and amidst these turbulent times, the Hebrew University of 

Jerusalem stands as a beacon of hope, offering students a world-class education and enabling 

economic and social mobility for young people from all walks of life.” 

Previous Scopus Award recipients include Barbra Streisand, Leonard Bernstein, Bob Hope, Frank 

Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, and Elie Wiesel, among others. 

Among the local government dignitaries were Nevada Governor Joe 

Lombardo, and Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson. 

HU Pres. Prof. Asher Cohen 

“I think David deserves this award for the many, many ways he 

contributes,” Wolfson said in a tribute video. “A lot of people talk the 

talk, but David walks the walk. He’s a great humanitarian, and his 

contributions have really made a difference.” 

Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen sent a video greeting, stating, “We’re here tonight to recognize the work 

and dedication of my friend, Scopus Award recipient David Chesnoff. Mazel Tov and congratulations, 

David. Your service to the Las Vegas community, support of Jewish philanthropy in Nevada and 

L-R: Daniel Schlessinger, Marcy Schlessinger, David Z. Chesnoff 

L-R: Sami Freedman, Marilyn Wallace, Joyce Brandman

PAGE 44 



2024 Palm Beach Scopus Award 


(AFHU) presented the 2024 Southeast Region 

Scopus Award to philanthropists Lisa and 

Michael Rome on Saturday, March 23 at the 

Four Seasons, Palm Beach. 

The event proceeds will support the Hebrew 

University of Jerusalem We Are One emergency 

campaign, which provides funds for 

psychological counseling services, tutoring, 

scholarships, and acute financial relief for 

students and faculty impacted by the war. 

It will also provide funding for the recently 

established Center for Computational Medicine 

Michael and Lisa Rome, HU Pres. Prof. Asher Cohen, AFHU CEO Joshua Rednik 

at the Hebrew University. Computational 

Medicine holds the promise to revolutionize healthcare by harnessing the power of big data and 

Artificial Intelligence to replace the traditional one-size fits-all model with personalized, data-driven 

treatments for cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. 

Council of Weill Cornell Medicine and support several community-focused institutions, including UJA 

Federation, MorseLife Health System, and the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. Michael Rome is Chief 

Executive Officer of Rome Capital Management of Palm Beach. He is also the managing principal of 

Rome Capital Partners, a family office. 

“Lisa and I believe that problems in the Middle East can be eased and possibly solved through 

education, job creation, and entrepreneurship,” said Michael Rome at the event. “No other institution 

has a more forward-looking impact on the next generation of leaders than Hebrew University. We 

happily accept the Scopus Award in the hope that we encourage others to see the importance of 

advancing this unique center for academic excellence in Israel.” 

Among the speakers were Hebrew University President Professor Asher Cohen, who presented the 

Scopus Award, as well as Barbara and Richard Rothschild, who offered greeting remarks. 

Named for Mount Scopus, where the Hebrew University’s (HU) first cornerstones were laid in 

1918, the award has come to symbolize the University’s highest ideals of achievement, leadership, 

and philanthropic engagement. The Scopus Award is bestowed upon individuals with a legacy of 

humanitarian concerns throughout their lives. Previous Scopus Award recipients include Barbra 

Streisand, Leonard Bernstein, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, and Elie Wiesel, among 

others. 

“We are delighted to honor Lisa and Michael Rome who have been 

steadfast supporters of Israel and Hebrew University for so many 

years,” said AFHU Chief Executive Officer Joshua Rednik. “During 

these challenging times, It is important to help Hebrew University 

students continue to pursue their studies through the We Are 

One campaign and to support future endeavors like the Center for 

Computational Medicine, which will advance research and treatment 

through AI and personalized medicine.” 

Lisa and Michael Rome share a deep commitment to educate the 

next generation of leaders on the importance and role the Hebrew 

University plays within Israel and around the world. A supporter of 

AFHU/HU for over 40 years, Michael serves on the International 

Advisory Council for ASPER-HUJI Innovate, the University’s center 

for young entrepreneurs and innovators. In addition to their generous 

support of the Hebrew University, Lisa and Michael sit on the Dean’s 

Lisa and Michael Rome 

L-R: Richard and Barbara Rothschild, Lisa and Michael Rome

PAGE 46 



2024 Leaders of Distinction Event 

Among the evening’s honorees, Ety Alcalay serves on AFHU’s National Board of Directors, AFHU’s 

Southeast Region Advisory Committee, and Hebrew University’s Board of Governors. She has a 

long association with Hebrew University where she earned a B.A. in Russian and Jewish studies 

and where she met her husband, David. Ety and David have hosted several Southeast Region AFHU 

events in their home and enjoy engaging donor prospects in the Boca Raton area and beyond. 

John and Sherry Bauman have generously provided scholarships for Hebrew University’s students 

in need. In 2004, the philanthropic couple was recognized on HU’s Wall of Life and in 2017, John 

received an Honorary Fellowship from the Hebrew University. John Bauman is a member of the 

Hebrew University Board of Governors, the AFHU National Board of Directors, and the Southeast 

Region Board. Past positions include membership on AFHU’s Northeast Region board, the National 

Campaign Committee, and the Real Estate and Financial Services Division. Sherry serves on AFHU’s 

National Board of Regents. 

AFHU CEO Joshua Rednik and the Leaders of Distinction Honorees 

American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) held its annual Leaders of Distinction event to 

support Israel, fund scholarships at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU), and benefit the We 

Are One fund for students, faculty, and family affected by the war and its aftermath. 

The event was held at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach on Sunday, March 3rd, and 

honored area philanthropists and supporters including Ety Alcalay; Sherry Norris and John Bauman; 

Jane and Dr. Peter Feinstein; Rina Frankel; and Annette Pakula. Leaders of Distinction Honorary 

Chairs were Tamar and Milton Maltz of Palm Beach Gardens and Cleveland. The evening’s Chairs 

were Elaine and Dr. Beno Michel of Palm Beach Gardens and Cleveland. 

The event proceeds will provide counseling services, tutoring and scholarship assistance for 

students returning to the University after military reserve service, as well as financial relief for 

those who have lost their homes and belongings. 

“Thousands of Hebrew University students have 

been called to active duty in Israel’s defense, so it 

is important that the AFHU community in Florida 

is joining to support Israel’s foremost academic 

institution when the needs are so great,” said Dr. 

Beno Michel. “We are especially grateful for our 

honorees who exemplify the steadfast commitment 

to community, education, and the advancement of 

knowledge for the betterment of humanity.” 

L-R: AFHU CEO Joshua Rednik, Beno Michel, Amb. (Ret.) Yossi Gal 

Rina Frankel has been a dedicated supporter 

of the Hebrew University for many years. 

She serves on the AFHU Board of Regents. 

In 2012, she and her late husband, Samuel 

Frankel z”l, established an endowment 

fund to provide scholarships for Ethiopian 

students at Hebrew University. In addition, 

Rina continues the couple’s support for HU 

Professor Yaakov (Koby) Nahmias and his 

diabetes research. Together with Sam, Rina 

is inscribed on Hebrew University’s Wall of 

Life in Jerusalem. 

L-R: Daniel Schlessinger, Amb. (Ret.) Yossi Gal, Rina Frankel. AFHU CEO Joshua Rednik 

Jane and Dr. Peter Feinstein currently serve on the AFHU National Board of Directors and the 

Southeast Region Advisory Board, of which Jane is President. They chaired the 2019 AFHU Annual 

Leadership Education Forum (ALEF) in Palm Beach and are frequent hosts of AFHU annual events 

in Frenchman’s Creek. 

A member of the Hebrew University’s Board of Governors, Annette Pakula also serves on the 

Executive Committee and National Board of AFHU. She recently provided funding for significant 

equipment in the new Hebrew University Center for Computational Medicine. In 2023, she was 

presented with an Honorary Fellowship at the 86th Hebrew University Board of Governors meeting 

in Jerusalem. 

The evening’s special guest was Ambassador (Ret.) Yossi Gal, Hebrew University Vice President 

for Advancement and External Relations, who discussed the situation in Israel and its impact on the 

University.

PAGE 48 



An Evening of Community and Solidarity Featuring 

Consul General Yinam Cohen 

On January 7, 2024, the AFHU Northeast Region hosted an “Evening of Inspiration and Solidarity” 

with young professionals and two students from Tzameret, Hebrew University’s elite military medicine 

training program at Houston Hall, an iconic NYC beer hall. The Tzameret students spoke about their 

experiences, from collecting post-combat data from soldiers to improve military medicine to being on 

rotation in New York City and their aspirations for the future. The event was hosted by NE Region 

LEAD (Leadership Empowerment and Development) members Sammi Edelson, Spencer Anson, and 

Marty Pollack. A special thank you to AFHU Northeast Board Member Jeremy Merrin and his wife 

Linda Blum for generously underwriting this special evening. 

As the preeminent trailblazer in clinical medicine and research, HU’s Faculty of Medicine was selected 

by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in 2009 to provide essential and specific training for future IDF 

physicians. The Tzameret program offers Hebrew University degree candidates the opportunity to 

receive specialized training in medicine and infrastructure that equips them to function as triage 

military personnel. 

L-R: Andy Glick, Bobby Gerber, Carol and Steven Edelson (hosts), Ayelet and Consul General Yinam Cohen, Dan Schlessinger, James Matanky, and Paul Saharack 

On Wednesday, January 24, 2024, AFHU Midwest Region Board President and National Board 

Secretary, I. Steven Edelson and his wife, Carol, hosted an intimate gathering of friends, colleagues, 

and AFHU Midwest Board members to hear directly from Yinam Cohen, Consul General of Israel to 

the Midwest, to discuss the current war in Israel and its effects across the Midwest. 

New Tzameret Commander Dr. Nir Hirshoren Visits the 

Southeast Friends 

Yinam Cohen is a career diplomat with 16 years of experience in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign 

Affairs. He holds an MBA cum laude, as well as a B.Sc. in Computer Science, both from the Hebrew 

University of Jerusalem. 

NextGen Evening of Inspiration and Solidarity with 

Hebrew University’s Tzameret Students 

Northeast Region LEAD members pose besides new NextGen connections 

L-R: Arnold Kanarick, Dr. Nir Hirshoren, Barbara Rothschild, Hedy Kanarick, HU Student Amb. Elad 

Babayof 

Ety Alcalay and Dr. Nir Hirshoren 

In March 2024, Dr. Nir Hirshoren, Director of Tzameret Medical Corps, and HU student, Elad Babayof, a 

sixth-year student in the Tzameret program, visited South Florida. Dr. Hirshoren and Elad were hosted 

by Ety Alcalay, a Southeast Regional Board Member and member of AFHU’s Board of Directors, in her 

home in Boca Raton, FL. In addition, Hedy and Arnold Kanarick welcomed Dr. Hirshoren and Elad to a 

gathering at Frenchman’s Creek Beach and Country Club. Hedy and Arnie serve on AFHU’s Southeast 

Regional Board, and Arnie is a member of the Board of Regents. Dr. Hirshoren and Elad met with 

young professionals for an intimate dinner, arranged by LEAD graduate, Dr Jillian Frieder, and were 

keynote speakers at the Palm Beach Scopus Gala, honoring Lisa and Michael Rome.

PAGE 50 



Dental Medicine & Israel 

On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, American 

Friends of the Hebrew University’s Mid-Atlantic 

region hosted a lunch for Professor Avi Zini, 

Dean of the Faculty of Dental Medicine. At this 

intimate gathering, Dean Zini shared the history 

of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and an 

update about life on campus during the Israel- 

Hamas War. He shared news from the Faculty 

of Dental Medicine, the Robert I. Schattner Oral 

Health Center, and his hopes for the school as 

Hebrew University prepares to celebrate its 

100th anniversary in 2025. 

Since its founding, the Hebrew University- 

Hadassah School of Dental Medicine has devoted 

itself to training dentists and dental auxiliary 

professionals, providing outstanding dental care 

to the community, and engaging in innovative 

research. The Robert I. Schattner Oral Health 

Center for People with Disabilities will be the 

first of its kind in Israel and the Middle East to 

provide oral care to the over 1.5 million Israelis 

living with disabilities. Under the supervision 

of Faculty specialists, dental students in the 

undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate 

programs will provide care to patients, acquiring 

the skills and expertise to treat patients with 

disabilities. The Center is poised to transform 

oral health care for people with disabilities in 

Israel, making it accessible to all. 

Mid-Atlantic Region Board and Dean Avi Zini 

Western Region Sinai 

Temple Series 

Guests gathered at Sinai Temple Israel Center to hear from Amb. (Ret.) 

Yossi Gal 

On February 20, 2024, American Friends of the 

Hebrew University’s Western Region and Sinai 

Temple Israel Center in Los Angeles co-hosted 

their annual Speaker Series featuring Hebrew 

University Vice President for Advancement and 

External Relations, Ambassador (Ret.) Yossi Gal. 

This free, community event presented leading 

Hebrew University faculty and leadership in 

a public forum that connected the greater 

Los Angeles community to the innovation 

and knowledge at the Hebrew University in 

Jerusalem. Despite it being a rainy night, 30 

guests participated in Ambassador Gal’s lecture 

on the “Challenges Facing Israel Since October 

7.” He discussed the impact of the war on the 

Hebrew University and beyond. Sinai Temple 

Rabbi, Erez Sherman, provided a warm welcome 

to all attendees and Renae Jacobs-Anson and 

Helen Jacobs-Lepor provided Ambassador Gal 

with a resounding introduction. Ambassador 

Gal took questions from the audience and the 

event concluded with attendees socializing over 

coffee and dessert. 

We Are One Webinar Series 

“Gender-Based War Crimes in Hamas’ 

Massacre in Israel on Oct 7th 2023.” Featured 

speaker: Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy. Click the 

image above to view. 

“The Development of Hamas in Light of its 

Relations with Israel and the Palestinian 

Authority.” Featured speaker: Abigail Jacobson. 

“The Meaning of Holocaust Remembrance 

Day: Facing Evil Yesterday and Today.” Featured 

speaker: Prof. Moshe Halbertal. Click the image 

above to view. 

“Shifting Sands: Adapting the Israeli Economy 

to a Changing Security Landscape.” Featured 

speakers: Prof. Karnit Flug and Prof. Eugene 

Kandel. Click the image above to view. 

“The Rise and Fall of the Israeli-Palestinian 

Peace Process.” Featured speaker: Dr. Lior 

Lehrs. Click the image above to view. 

“Uncharted Territory: Treating the Trauma 

Victims of Hamas.” Featured speakers: Prof. 

Asher Ben-Arieh and Prof. Ofrit Shapira-Berman. 

Click the image above to view. 

Visit Our Website for Upcoming Events!


Tel. 212.607.8500 | AFHU.ORG | info@afhu.org 

Northeast Region 

T: 212.607.8510 

E: northeast@afhu.org 

Southeast Region 

T: 561.750.8585 

E: southeast@afhu.org 

Pacific Northwest Region 

T: 415.299.8692 

E: pacificnorthwest@afhu.org 

Mid-Atlantic Region 

T: 202.363.4600 

E: midatlantic@afhu.org 

Midwest Region 

T: 312.329.0332 

E: midwest@afhu.org 

Philadelphia Office 

T: 215.330.6722 

E: philadelphia@afhu.org 

Western Region 

T: 310.843.3100 

E: western@afhu.org

AFHU News Spring 2024

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