Doctorate for Stuart Silbert

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Perth solicitor Stuart Silbert will join Israel’s president Reuven Rivlin as one of 11 conferees of an honorary doctorate from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem next week.

Stuart Silbert

Silbert has a distinguished record of support for the West Australian Jewish community and to Zionism, following the tradition of his parents, grandparents, and great-grandfather – extending back to the 1880s when they first came to Western Australia from Russia.

Stuart Silbert sees the Hebrew University as a vital element in guaranteeing a strong and vibrant future for the State of Israel.

Through his devoted efforts, many major research projects and scholarship programs have been established as part of his goal to establish a strong foundation for the University and the State. He has provided wise counsel to the University’s top leadership and continues to serve on its International Board of Governors.

He has helped forge important bi-national academic and scientific programs between the Hebrew University and universities in Western Australia as part of his efforts to foster close relations and strong ties between Australia and Israel.

He was made an Honorary Fellow of the university in 1996.

For more than 37 years acting as Hon. Solicitor and active board member, Stuart Silbert has generated practical support for the Jewish Aged Home, the Perth Hebrew Congregation, the Jewish National Fund, the UIA, the Australia-Israel Chamber of Commerce, and others.

In 2008, in recognition of his outstanding service to the Jewish community, he was awarded the prestigious Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

The President of the State of Israel, Mr. Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin, will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate and deliver the keynote address.

President Reuven Rivlin Photo: Henry BEnjamin

Since graduating from the Hebrew University, President Rivlin has served as a Member of Knesset, Minister, and Speaker of the Knesset.

At the centre of his many public activities stands Rivlin’s birthplace and Israel’s capital, the city of Jerusalem.

The city’s leading institutions, among them the Hebrew University, have benefited from his longstanding dedication.

Since his election, President Rivlin has led efforts in support of Israeli university leaders to combat the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement and its objective to de-legitimise the State of Israel and Israeli academics.

President Rivlin maintains a strong and active connection to the Hebrew University: the day after his election as President, he invited the Hebrew University’s Board of Governors to meet with him at the Knesset. The following day, he joined with his former classmates to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their graduation from the Hebrew University’s Faculty of Law.

A spokesperson for the Australian Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem told J-Wire: “This is more than well-deserved honour. Stuart has been a mainstay of the organisation for years and we are very proud of him.”