Centenary celebrations for Hebrew University founded by Einstein, Freud, Weizmann
On July 24th, this year, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem will mark 100 years of achievement since the laying of its cornerstones. It’s a success story like no other.
How many universities in the world can claim to have been founded by the likes of Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud? With those brilliant minds – and more – all participating in its inaugural board meeting?
Cornerstone
The university was envisioned as a center of intellectual energy and a home for the spirit of inquiry by another of its founders, Dr Chaim Weizmann, who later went on to become Israel’s first President. In a stirring address he delivered when its cornerstones were laid on Mount Scopus, overlooking the city of Jerusalem, on July 24th 1918 (and pictured below), he said: “It seems at first sight paradoxical that in a land with so sparse a population, in a land where everything still remains to be done, in a land crying out for such simple things as ploughs, roads, and harbours, we should begin by creating a centre of spiritual and intellectual development..”
Hebrew University is one of the world’s leading research and academic institutions. Its faculty and alumni have won eight Nobel Prizes, one Fields Medal, 299 Israel Prizes, nine Wolf Prizes, 89 Rothschild Prizes, and 33 EMET Prizes for Art, Science and Culture.
To celebrate this milestone event, Hebrew University will hold the “HUNext100 Global Giving Day.” All alumni, parents, friends, faculty and staff are invited to unite across six continents, racing the clock to see how much they can raise online – in one day – to support another 100 years of knowledge, innovation and excellence.
“We are all excited to be embarking on our next 100 years and immensely thankful for the international support for our first Global Giving Day,” Said Hebrew University President, Professor Asher Cohen.
The university’s ground-breaking fundraising campaign will run on July 24thsimultaneously across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, Israel, Australia, South Africa and Latin America.
Funds donated will go towards areas of greatest need including research breakthroughs, scholarships and faculty recruitment of the world’s best and brightest.
Visit www.hugivingday.com to get involved, sign up for reminders about Hebrew University’s Global Giving Day and to become an Ambassador– creating challenges and sharing news with your own networks, friends and family.
