BOARD OF GOVERNORS EDITION

UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA MAGAZINE SUMMER 2019 15 Behavioral Economics Artificial Intelligence Nutrition Artificial Intelligence 14 Archaeology Biblical Studies MULTIVERSITY forging new

18 Biology frontiers of Archaeology Zoology knowledge

Neurobiology Genetics Psychology 20 + Psychology THANK YOU Biology CHAIRMAN TAUBER Fine Arts 12 19 HEIGHTS SPECIAL BOARD OF GOVERNORS EDITION

(l-r:) Rafael Beyar, Dalia Dorner, Gila Almagor, Jeremy Isaacs, Oliviero Stock, Lorry I. Lokey, and Sylvia Earle RULE MAKERS & BREAKERS Meet our 7 inspiring honorary doctorates, trailblazers in their respective fields p10

Welcome Governors and guests to the 47th Board of Governors Meeting celebrating academic excellence and social responsibility.

We look forward to seeing you at the Honorary Doctorate Conferment Ceremony that will take place at e Haifa Municipal eatre.

HEIGHTS MAGAZINE Connect to the University of Haifa: Produced by the University of Haifa facebook.com/univ.haifa.ac.il Division for External Relations & Resource Development .com/user/UniversityofHaifa/videos [email protected] twitter.com/haifauniversity

Design: Castronawy Photography: Shuka Cohen; Getty Images; Valentina Klymiuk; ©2019 University of Haifa Ehud Kotliar; Ignacio A. Lazagabaster; Hagai Nativ; Yael Rotem; Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, Elad Sarig; University of Haifa Photo Archives www.haifa.ac.il INNOVATION & FEATURE DISCOVERY [14-20] A Tribute to Prof. Alfred I. Tauber Applying Artificial Intelligence Meet Prof. Ofira Ayalon 14 to Archaeological Tasks 22 Israel’s Environmental Champion 12 Healthy Lifestyle Can Reverse 15 Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease 16 Overcoming Barriers to 2 President’s Update Medication Adherence 4 New Facilities Dedicated Wheat Protein that Promises UofH Art Professor 17 to Improve Food Security 23 Represents Israel Major Awards and Recognition at the Venice Biennale 6 Ancient Food Webs Shed Light Alumnus Spotlight 18 on Present-Day Environmental Student Spotlight 8 Challenges 24 Highest Honors 10 Introducing our Honorary Understanding the Biological Doctorate Recipients, 19 and Psycho-social Mechanisms Game Changers in their Fields Underlying Emotional Processing through Art Therapy

New Research Center to 20 Explore the Full Spectrum of Neurodevelopmental Disorders

magazine.haifa.ac.il Meeting the Challenges of Tomorrow THE MULTIVERSITY VISION

OUR MISSION: The University of Haifa “in and of” the City and the northern region fostering synergies across academic units and with local communities and partners identifying and meeting future human needs and global challenges facilitating an inspirational setting for teaching, learning and discovery supporting an extended physical presence in multiple strategic sites

Professor Ron Robin, University of Haifa President

Home to over 18,000 students from a wide range virtual groundwork required to create a univer- of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, the sity with an extended physical presence across University of Haifa is the largest comprehensive multiple sites in the City of Haifa and the Galilee. research university in northern Israel, and the most pluralistic institution of higher education The ‘Multiversity’ in Israel. Here, Jews, Arabs, Druze, Haredi and The Multiversity is a diverse network, for discov- secular students, new immigrants, and military ery, economic expansion and social mobility. It and security personnel come together to study, is designed to improve interaction between dis- teach and learn. ciplines, broaden access to higher education, and foster collaboration between academia and Since its establishment 47 years ago, the Uni- diverse partners. Through its framework, we can versity has developed into a world-class aca- define ourselves by who and what we include, demic institution with an international repu- and not by who and what we exclude. tation in a variety of fields, including marine sciences, public health, law, security studies, Anchored in multiple “portal campuses”, stra- holocaust research, cancer research, neurosci- tegically situated near sites of cutting-edge ences, bioinformatics, and education. In the economic activity, the Multiversity allows rapidly changing landscape of higher education, faculty and students to enrich their research which calls for the expansion of knowledge in and learning via a presence in key places of the life sciences and engineering, it is critical change without compromising connectivity to that we extend and develop our offerings in the rest of the University. these fields, while embracing digital tech- nology changes that will define to- morrow’s professional, social, and economic world.

As part of our strategic plan for establishing the ‘Multiversity’, we are laying the physical and

2 / UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA MAGAZINE A rendering of the future cable car campus stop, linking the University to the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology and the Lev Hamifratz Transportation Terminal.

We are well on our way… That said, we are well aware that such profound By 2025, the Multiversity of Haifa will leverage changes carry a great deal of responsibility, as its location by creating a network of inter-relat- well as multiple challenges. In order to implement ed specialized portals: the Mt. Carmel Campus the vision of the Multiversity, major steps have (the main campus and administrative and aca- and will be taken in the near future. This can, and demic headquarters); the Lorry I. Lokey City will only, be done with the approval and full Campus (School of Data Sciences); the Marine support of the University’s governing bodies, Sciences Campus (centralizing all oceanograph- whose input and advice are critical for the success ic research and teaching); the Medical Science of the forthcoming transformation. Campus (at the Helmsley Health Discovery Tower, a joint venture with Rambam); the Engineering This year, we expect to reach an all-time fund- Campus in Karmiel; and the Joint Technological raising record. We see this accomplishment as an Institute at East China Normal University (ECNU) indication of trust and faith on behalf of our in Shanghai. donors and partners that we are indeed on our way to a better tomorrow. We are working hard We are confident that this network will upgrade to ensure that this is an ongoing positive devel- and increase student recruitment, transform our opment. Please join us on this exciting journey. academic footprint and interface with the social and economic ecosystems through mutually ben- Sincerely, eficial partnerships. This is our strategy for cre- ating synergies and significantly enhancing our local, national and international impact.

Today, in the “Glocal” era, we create a new “sense of place” and gain new notions of iden- tity and belonging. In offering these multidis- ciplinary and multi-spatial solutions for the Prof. Ron Robin future, we seek to seize the moment with both President humility and daring.

HEIGHTS / SPRING 2019 / 3 NEW & Cornerstone-Laying Ceremony NOTEWORTHY of the Wild Cereal Gene Bank Complex

The University of Haifa is celebrating the dedication of the new Wild Cereal Gene Bank Complex, supporting innovative wild cereal research in the Institute of Evolution and the Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology. The complex is being generously supported by Lady Barbara and Sir Mick Davis, longstanding friends of the University, Prof. Alfred Tauber, Chairman of the Board of Governors, and the Israel Science Foundation (ISF). The new complex will be equipped with state-of-the art-facilities, including a greenhouse, cold storage rooms and a research laboratory.

Inaugurating a New Building for the Faculty of Social Welfare

and Health Sciences Rendering of the Wild Cereal Gene Bank Complex.

A new building for the Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences is being inaugurated at the 47th Board of Governor’s Meeting. The Faculty’s new home, located at the Mount Carmel campus, will be outfitted with state-of-the-art research and teaching facilities. The construction was made possible by generous gifts provided by the University’s long- standing supporters Mr. Maurice Kanbar and Mrs. Irma and Mr. Aaron Spencer, who serves as Chairman of the Advisory Board of The Cheryl Spencer Institute for Nursing. The Faculty, which is one of the University’s fastest growing entities,- comprises three Schools, eight Departments, and the Inter disciplinary Clinical Center.

4 / UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA MAGAZINE Major Accolades Awarded to Members of the University’s The Forum Academic on New Diplomacy Community The Charney Forum on New Diplomacy recently held its in- ternational launch event in , hosted by Mrs. Tzili Awards to Faculty Charney, Founder and President, Chair of the Leon H. Charney Prof. Ofira Ayalon Foundation, Vice Chair of the University’s Board of Governors Department of Natural Resources and honorary doctorate recipient (2018). The event marked and Environmental Management the opening reception for the “The Rise of New Diplomacy” Michael Landau Prize Forum, an assembly of entrepreneurs, professors, and inter- national relations experts. Prof. Deborah Bernstein Department of Sociology The newly established Charney Forum on New Diplomacy at Israel Prize Award the University of Haifa is chaired by Ido Aharoni, a 25-year Prof. Yehudit Henshke veteran of Israel’s Foreign Service and a public diplomacy Department of Hebrew Language specialist. The Forum was established to provide training and Prime Minister’s Prize practical tools in the emerging practice of New Diplomacy. Dr. Rachel Perry Weiss-Livnat MA Program in Holocaust Studies The Ina and Michael Rogatchi Foundation’s Humanist Award

Prof. Sharon Poliakine Department of Fine Arts Jacob Pins Award

Dr. Noga Ron-Zewi Ido Aharoni and Mrs. Tzili Charney at the Charney Forum on New Department of Computer Science Diplomacy international launch event in New York, April 11, 2019. Krill Prize

Prof. Emeritus Nili Shupak Department of Biblical Studies Bialik Prize

New Asia Pacific Desk Awards to Students Dr. Valentina Klymiuk Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology Jeanie Borlaug Laube Women in Triticum (WIT) Early Career Award

Lamma Mansour Department of Psychology Rhodes Scholarship As part of its development - efforts to expand the Univer Nahi Mashool-Shauli sity’s presence in East Asia Faculty of Education and Australia, the Division Presidential Scholarships of External Relations and for Excellence and Innovations - Tsameret Zohar Resource Development re Hila Wiedel cently opened a new Asia Pacific Desk. Headed by Ms. Tsameret Faculty of Social Welfare Zohar, former Managing Director of the International School, and Health Sciences the Asia Pacific Desk is establishing a local presence in China, Presidential Award for Hong Kong, and Taiwan, and will expand its activities to other Excellence and Innovations countries including Singapore and Australia.

HEIGHTS / SPRING 2019 / 5 Women agricultural collective, 1924. Understanding our ‘Israeliness’ Prof. Deborah Bernstein honored with Israel Prize for her deep and insightful work on the evolution of Israeli society

rof. Deborah Bernstein of the Depart- The award committee remarked that “her trail- ment of Sociology has won this year’s blazing research has led to important insights into Israel Prize in the field of Sociology and understanding women and gender, social mar- Anthropology. ginalization, labor relations, law and contempo- P rary Israeli society from the time of the [British] Prof. Bernstein, who has taught at the University mandate until today.” for over three decades, devoted her career to studying inequality and relations of dominance In a congratulatory letter sent to Bernstein, Pres- in Israeli society in its formative periods, during ident Ron Robin and Rector Gustavo Mesch wrote: the pre-state period and early statehood. She “Your original research exploring Israeli society focused on gender inequality in the labor market, has contributed to a deep and unique understand- as well as the social history of women workers ing of ‘Israeliness’ as we know it today. Your and marginalized women during the British achievements are an inspiration to the universi- Mandate. Bernstein contributed to the develop- ty community, especially since your work was ment of new trends in the sociology of Israeli written at the University of Haifa, which aims to society, and to the emergence of ‘critical sociol- be a gateway to social mobility for anyone who ogy’ in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She studied so aspires. Together, through research and action, the evolving ethnic relations (Ashkenazim-Miz- we hope to affect positive change in Israeli rahim) and the formation of the Israeli system of society.” stratification. Bernstein’s research is innovative in combining sociological and historical perspec- Prof. Bernstein received the prestigious award at tives, which she employed in her study of relations the annual state ceremony on Independence Day between Jews and Arabs in Haifa during the in Jerusalem. mandate period. She has published widely, both in Hebrew and in English.

6 / UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA MAGAZINE STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Oxford Bound Interview with Lamma Mansour, BSc Psychology 2019, Rhodes Scholar

amma Mansour is the What brought you to the for me, and all of them managed to complete the second UofH graduate to University of Haifa? one-year course. Two of my students, who are be awarded a prestigious I came here when I was 18 years old recovering addicts, became certified to work with Rhodes Scholarship in from my hometown, Nazareth. The at-risk youths. I am grateful to the Access for All Lthe past two years. At Oxford she University provided me with campus Program for their faith in me and I hope to one intends to pursue her master’s in accommodations and a spot in the day be able to contribute to the advancement of evidence-based social interven- Ofakim Program. Although I chose this incredible initiative. tion and policy evaluation. She psychology as my major, I was able to is following in her grandfather’s take “a bit of everything” including What are your plans for the future? footsteps who studied economics anthropology, political science, com- I hope to connect the diverse fields of study that there as a young adult. munications, education, and gender I learned at the University of Haifa to further in- studies – a mosaic like my lecture vestigate the best way to implement effective notes, which were in three languages, community-led interventions such as the pre- Arabic, Hebrew and English. vention of gender based violence and mental illness stigmas in the Arab community. What are some of your most memorable experiences at the University? My research showcases the interdisciplinary ap- In my second year, I had the privilege of serving proach I am interested in. Under the guidance of as an instructor as part of the Access for All initia- Prof. Zohar Eviatar of the Edmond J. Safra Brain tive, a program that opens the doors of higher Research Center for the Study of Learning Dis- education to adult learners from disadvantaged abilities, I investigated how the multilingual brain backgrounds. I taught a psychology class to 20 responds to spoken Arabic as opposed to literary adults, many of them nearly twice my age. The Arabic and the role of emotions in that process. I classroom discussions often touched on difficult was able to bring my personal experiences and Lamma Mansour (right) at topics such as mental illness and addictions. My background to the academic arena and I hope to the Access for All graduation ceremony with her student students have been a great source of inspiration be able to continue to do this in the future. Samiha from Isfiya.

Lamma (second from left) with her students.

HEIGHTS / SPRING 2019 / 7 ALUMNUS SPOTLIGHT

mir Faintuch has held senior manage- Reconnecting with ment positions in leading American semiconductor companies over the course of his career, serving most Amir Faintuch Arecently as Senior VP and Director of Strategic Investments at Intel Capital. He recently joined Pitango Venture Capital as an independent ven- ture partner.

Faintuch, who earned a joint MBA degree from Northwestern and Universities, received his BSc in Economics and Business Administration from the University of Haifa. An avid skier, hiker and scuba diver, he now lives in Los Altos, CA, with his wife Vered and his three daughters.

“It’s an exciting future ahead, and it will challenge our ability to adapt, collaborate and respond to change.”

8 / UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA MAGAZINE Mr. Amir Faintuch CLASS ‘93

During a recent visit to Haifa, he reconnected cialization. Having to do it over again, I would with the University, meeting with members of have paired my major with computer science. the administration and networking with members Given the ‘fanatical’ pace of change in the world, of the University of Haifa Business Leaders Forum. I believe that being an expert in more than one He also joined a scientific working dive led by subject is essential today. Professor Dan Tchernov, Founder and Scientific Director of the Morris Kahn Marine Research Fondest memories from your years Station and Vice-President of Development and at University of Haifa? External Relations. I met my wife at University of Haifa, she studied here at the same time. Why did you choose to study at University of Haifa? The University’s economics and business admin- What vision or motto has guided istration program was considered among the best you throughout your career? in Israel. I was afforded an opportunity to study I believe in being bold – aiming high and setting with some of the nation’s most respected aca- ambitious goals– and at the same time staying demic economists. What also attracted me was humble so that you can truly appreciate other the program’s balanced approach between quan- people’s talents. titative and qualitative economics theories. The broad knowledge base I gained here has been of What predictions can you make about practical value throughout my professional career. the future of our wired world? We must plan for a future where artificial intelli- Any words of advice for students gence and new computer models of human in- Amir Faintuch joined choosing this area of study? telligence affect all facets of human life. This will Professor Dan Tchernov I well remember the challenging classes and rig- require the right technological and ethical, social on a scientific dive at Kibbutz Sdot Yam. orous course load. My advice would be to believe frameworks to co-exist together. It’s an exciting The two also recently in yourself and stick it out, even when it starts future ahead, and it will challenge our ability to presented a fireside chat, getting tough. Looking back, I think it would have adapt, collaborate and respond to change.” The Mediterranean Sea— An Untapped Platform, at been useful to have studied more than one spe- the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, CA.

HEIGHTS / SPRING 2019 / 9 HIGHEST HONORS Meet the University’s 2019 Honorary Doctorate Conferees Individuals whose life’s work have led to exceptional contributions to science, justice, medicine, artificial intelligence, education, culture and the State of Israel.

Mrs. Gila Almagor - Israel Justice Dalia Dorner – Israel

Gila Almagor is one of Israel’s most Retired Judge Dalia Dorner is famous and beloved actresses. She has among Israel’s top legal minds, appeared in over 60 Israeli and foreign recognized for her rulings uphold- film productions, has written several ing human and social rights, and books, and is a role model for students and for her advocacy of freedom of faculty at the School of the Arts. Exception- speech and ethical journalism. She ally active in the public arena, she served as a Tel Aviv Mu- served as Justice of the Supreme Court of nicipality council member (1998-2004) and as chair of several Israel between 1993-2004, and is President of the Israel Press associations including the Israel Cancer Association and the Council. She has headed several state and public commissions Israel branch of the International Association of Theatre for including the treatment of holocaust survivors, the special Children and Young People. She established the Gila Almagor education system and the punishment and treatment of of- Wish Fund, a charity for sick children and children at risk. For fenders, studied by generations of students and researchers her work, she has received countless accolades including the at the Faculty of Law. She is an honorary member of the Israel Prize, and holds honorary doctorates from several Israeli American Law Institute, has been honored by several Israeli universities. universities, and holds honorary doctorates from the Weizmann Institute and Ben-Gurion University.

Prof. Rafael Beyar – Israel Dr. Sylvia Alice Earle – USA

Prof. Rafael Beyar, immediate past Dr. Sylvia Earle is among the most General Director and CEO of recognized figures in marine scienc- Rambam Health Care Campus, is es and conservation in the world. For a renowned cardiologist, professor six decades, she has been an advocate, of medicine, and biomedical entre- scientist, educator, author, policy maker, preneur. His cutting-edge research led inventor, businesswoman, and passionate to innovative technologies in the area of cardiovascular system ambassador for the sea. She was the first female scientific imaging and analysis, and invasive and interventional cardi- director of National Oceanographic Atmospheric Association, ology, including novel designs for metal stents and the first initiator of the Google Earth ‘Ocean’ function, and head of robotic catheterization system in the world. He has held the National Geographic Sustainable Seas Expeditions, working several public roles including Chair of the Public Committee to expand marine protected areas worldwide. For her work, for the Expansion of the Medical Health Basket Services, and she has received over 100 scientific and public accolades Chair of the Public Committee for the National Transplant including the Woman of the Year, and 22 honorary doctorates. Center. He recently partnered with the University of Haifa in For several years, she has collaborated with scientists from a joint vision to establish the Helmsley Health Discovery Tower the Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences on interdis- for innovation and translational research that will advance ciplinary studies in the Mediterranean Sea. patient-centered medicine.

10 / UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA MAGAZINE Mr. Jeremy M. Isaacs, Prof. Oliviero Stock – Italy CBE – UK Prof. Oliviero Stock is a renowned Jeremy Isaacs is a founding partner expert in the field of artificial intel- of JRJ Group, a leading internation- ligence, natural language processing, al private equity investment firm. and cognitive technologies. His He is a very active philanthropist and groundbreaking research focuses on tech- public figure, serving in a range of posi- nologies that interpret human needs. Prof. Stock served as tions including Non Executive Director of Marex Spectron, Chair of the European Association of Artificial Intelligence, Food Freshness Technology, Nomad Foods Limited and Land- President of the Italian AI Association, President of the Asso- scape Acquisition Holdings Limited, Trustee of The J. Isaacs ciation for Computational Linguistics, is the former Director Charitable Trust, Chair of Trustees of the Noah’s Ark Children’s of FBK Center for Scientific and Technological Research, and Hospice, and Honorary Fellow of the London Business School. is an advisory committee member on several international He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British scientific societies. He is a longstanding and active member of Empire (CBE) for being Non Executive Director of Imperial the University’s Board of Governors, and has collaborated on College Healthcare NHS Trust from 2003-2016. Mr. Isaacs international research projects with the Caesarea Rothschild established a Scholarship Fund for graduate studies at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Applications of Computer Science Leon H. Charney School of Marine Sciences. and the Reuben and Edith Hecht Museum.

CARMEL AWARD OF MERIT Mr. Lorry I. Lokey – USA Haifa Municipal Theatre Lorry I. Lokey is Founder and CEO/ Chairman Emeritus of Business Wire, The University of Haifa and Rambam lover of science, staunch friend of Health Care Campus are jointly the State of Israel, and a prominent awarding the Carmel Award of Merit philanthropist. He built a thriving to the Haifa Municipal Theatre, in rec- media relations empire and served on ognition of its role in enriching culture in several business and educational boards in Haifa, and for standing as a symbol of multiculturalism and the US and Israel. Mr. Lokey is widely recognized for his tolerance. The University enjoys a long and fruitful partner- achievements in the field of journalism, and his civic and ship with the Theatre, collaborating with the School of the philanthropic endeavors, giving close to a billion dollars to Arts, and recently with the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Library educational programs in schools and colleges in the US and on the Digital Theatre Archives project. This year, Rambam Israel. He has received many accolades, including nine hon- joined forces with the Theatre in its newly launched produc- orary doctorates. He has partnered with the University to tion of Whose Life is it Anyway, a remake of the popular 1970’s advance our ‘Multiversity’ vision by establishing the Lorry I. play by Brian Clark. Following the performance, a panel of Lokey City Campus in downtown Haifa. Rambam experts joined a panel discussion on ethical issues.

2019 HONORARY FELLOWSHIP CONFEREES

Sheikh Zeidan Atashi - Israel Dr. Tzafrira Ben-Barak - Israel

Sheikh Zeidan Atashi of the Druze Dr. Tzafrira Ben-Barak of the village of Isfiya is a former diplomat Faculty of Humanities is an and politician. He served as Israel’s expert in Ancient Near Eastern Consul General in New York, history and biblical research. She member of Knesset, and as found- is being recognized for her many ing member and chairman of the educational and cultural pursuits Druze Follow-Up Committee. A Uni- in the city of Haifa, and as an out- versity of Haifa alumnus, he has been an standing lecturer at the Department of ardent supporter of higher education in the Arab-Druze sector, Jewish History. Among her most notable works is “Inheritance as well as a devoted and longstanding member of the Uni- by Daughters in Israel and the Ancient Near East: A Social, versity’s Board of Governors. Legal and Ideological Revolution”.

HEIGHTS / SPRING 2019 / 11 10YEARS Laszlo N. Tauber Family Foundation A DECADE OF GIVING

or over a decade, Prof. Alfred I. Tauber N. Tauber Family Foundation, which he es- has been an indispensable force of tablished with his sister Ingrid nearly two change at the University of Haifa. In his decades ago, in memory of their late father. role as Chairman of the Board of Gov- Fernors, he played a pivotal role in advancing “Throughout his accomplished medical and the University’s physical and academic academic career and his philanthropic work, growth, as well as its community-based ini- Fred pursued non-conventional bridges in tiatives. He has also been a staunch support- pursuit of creating a more equal, inclusive and er of the Multiversity plan introduced by just society,” notes President Robin. “His for- President Ron Robin and Rector Gustavo ward-thinking leadership and support helped Mesch, to transform the University into a hub us strengthen our academic foothold in the city for cross-disciplinary teaching and research, of Haifa, forge cross-sector ventures with aca- Alfred I. Tauber is a and catalyst for economic development and demic and business partners, advance commu- Professor Emeritus of social mobility in Israel and the North. nity-based initiatives, educate a new cadre of Medicine and Professor mental health practitioners, and assume a Emeritus of Philosophy, In addition to being a distinguished immu- leading role in the fields of mental health re- specializing in hematology, biochemistry and nologist, Prof. Tauber has taught and written search and bioinformatics.” immunology. He has extensively on ethics, the philosophy of served on the faculties of science, and the history of ideas. For his crit- Prof. Alfred Tauber is the University of Haifa’s Harvard University and ical studies of immunology, he received the largest donor with a history of contributing gen- Boston University, and as Science Medal from the Institute of Advanced erously to a diverse range of initiatives including Chairman of the Board of Governors at the University Studies (ISA) of the University of Bologna student scholarships, innovative study programs, of Haifa since 2013. (2008), and an honorary doctorate from the technology transfer innovation, campus-wide University of Haifa (2011). He was also recog- initiatives, building projects, and pioneering re- nized for his philanthropic activities promot- search studies. ing social welfare, education and research at the University and in Israel through the Laszlo

Carmel Fire Emergency Fund American Society Sequencing Spalax Genome of the University Cancer Research of Haifa Psychiatric Rehabilitation Fieldwork National Outcome Pine Biotech Rehabilitation Monitoring Bioinformatics Mental Health Case Management Implementation and Company Services Study Research Project (Carmel-Haifa)

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

PhD Scholarships Tauber Bioinformatics Dolphin Research in Psychiatric Research Center by Dylan Tauber Rehabilitation MAJOR PROJECTS

Tauber Bioinformatics American Society of the Scholarship Programs Research Center University of Haifa for PhD students in the field developing user-friendly activities and initiatives. of Psychiatric Rehabilitation; bioinformatics platforms Avaloch Fellowship for (T-BioInfo) for fast and easy Dylan Tauber Outstanding Music Ensembles; analysis and visualization of Educational Complex Student Reservists in multi-omics data. new academic home of the Operation Tzuk Eitan Department of Computer Center for Community Science in the Lorry I. Lokey Donor Garden Mental Health Research City Campus. in honor of the generosity Major Projects and Training of our dedicated friends Mental Health Case Carmel-Haifa Activities and supporters. Management Services Study; and Carmel Innovations National Outcome Fund I and II Rehabilitation Monitoring bringing early-stage research Implementation and Research out of the laboratory and into Project; and Psychiatric the marketplace. Rehabilitation Fieldwork Graduate Program. Haifa Research Center for Maritime Policy & Strategy Research Initiatives national maritime think-tank in the fields of neuroscience, on regional security and biofuels, and evolutionary foreign policy, law, energy and sciences (cancer treatment the environment. and protection; wild wheat genome).

Carmel-Haifa Portfolio Companies Co-Existence Initiatives on Campus by Dr. Ingrid D. Tauber I II Haifa Research Center for Maritime Policy Carmel Innovations The Interdisciplinary & Strategy Fund I Clinical Center Operation of the Recording Donor Garden Carmel Innovations Studio at the Department Fund II of Music 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Avaloch Fellowship Dylan Tauber Educational NAVIGATE Mental for Outstanding Complex Health Initiative Music Ensembles Research Projects in Jewish-Arab Center Tzuk Eitan Scholarship Translational Neuroscience Employment Initiatives Fund Wild Cereal Gene Bank Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research Artificial Intelligence Archaeology Biblical Studies

To meet the complex USING AI challenges and opportunities TO PICK A novel AI algorithm developed by a that the future team from the University of Haifa and holds, the UP THE the Technion is able to piece together University is archaeological fragments “perfectly” committed to PIECES using computer vision. building data fluency and empowering or Prof. Ilan Shimshoni of the Department of Information its faculty and Systems, putting AI to practical students to uses has turned into a lifelong Fpassion. His recent collaboration with work across Prof. Ayellet Tal and Niv Derech from the disciplinary Technion, has produced a sophisticated digital tool that can assist archaeologists boundaries. and curators reassemble ancient arti- - Prof. Ido Izhaki, facts efficiently and reliably. Vice President and Dean of Research “Using computer vision, the system takes a picture of each fragment and extrapolates what the area around the fragment might look like based on color and structure,” explains Shimshoni, “even in ment matches based on patterns and pieces where edges and colors have been eroded. breaks in the loose fibers along the edges of the It then points the user to fragments that match papyrus parchment. Both of these projects are that prediction.” examples of applied research in digital humanities – at the intersection of computational tools and The project, funded by the EU-supported Gravitate humanities disciplines. project, has received extensive media attention over the last several months. Articles on the work “There are countless applications for this tech- have been published in the Times of London and la nology in biology, medicine and even drug de- Republica to name a few. velopment,” adds Shimshoni. “I am also working on another exciting project whose goal is to create Shimshoni is putting a digital health screening tool to prevent falls in this technology to older adults. The system under development uses Prof. Ilan Shimshoni received a BSc. in mathe- further use to decode 3-D imaging to assess risk of falling based on matics from the Hebrew University and an MSc. the last few undeci- skeleton images that can be taken from the safety in computer science from the Weizmann Institute phered Dead Sea scrolls. of the patient’s home.” The Ministry of Health of Science. After receiving his Ph.D. in computer Working with Prof. Jon- has identified senior fall prevention as a top pri- science from the University of Illinois at Urbana athan Ben-Dov from the ority. This is an interdisciplinary project being Champaign (UIUC), he completed a post-doctor- Department of Biblical undertaken together with Prof. Hagit Hel-Or of ate at the Technion. He joined the Department of Studies and doctoral the Department of Computer Science. It involves Information Systems at the University Haifa in student Roy Abitbol, a team of physiotherapists from the Western October 2005. Shimshoni is using the Galilee Hospital in Nahariya and The Israel Inno- system to identify frag- vation Authority.

14 / UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA MAGAZINE Behavioral Economics Artificial Intelligence Nutrition

Rethinking & exercisefood LIFESTYLE CHOICES CAN REVERSE NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE NATURALLY

on-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) Although Prof. Zelber-Sagi maintains that govern- has quietly reached epidemic levels, ment policies play an important role in nutrition afflicting roughly 25% of the worldwide and health promotion, she fears it will not be population. Commonly affecting over- enough to ensure the health of the next generation Nweight children, adolescents as well as young and without education and support services. To this older adults, NAFLD is characterized by excessive end, she is spearheading a multidisciplinary digital accumulation of fat in the liver. If left unchecked, platform that will combine expertise in nutrition, advanced forms of the disease can lead to liver behavioral economics and artificial intelligence. damage and related adverse health effects such as Working with Prof. Mor Peleg from the Department diabetes and cardiovascular disease. of Information Systems and Prof. Doron Kliger of the Economics Department, the mobile application A pioneering study led by Prof. Shira Zelber-Sagi is designed to both educate and motivate young of the School of Public Health with researchers at people to make smart food choices and take re- Tel Aviv Medical Center found that NAFLD is a sponsibility of their general health. preventable disease. “According to our findings, a healthy lifestyle can reverse the disease,” explains “We need to start thinking differently about nu- Zelber-Sagi. “Even a 5% weight reduction has trition and fitness,” adds Zelber-Sa- shown positive liver fat reduction as measured in gi. “Instead of counting calories, ultrasound examinations and liver biopsies. Our we should focus on the ingre- recommended health guidelines for the manage- dients going into the foods we ment of NAFLD recently published by ATID – The eat. Cutting back on heavily Israeli Dietitians Association for the Advancement processed foods and sweet- of Healthy Nutrition– suggest lifestyle changes that ened beverages, as well as include regular physical activity of up to two and staying active are key to a a half hours a week, and a Mediterranean-style healthy liver.” diet.” The Mediterranean diet emphasizes veg- etables, fruits, legumes, nuts, whole grains, fish, mono-unsaturated fats found in olive oil, and Prof. Shira Zelber-Sagi is the Head of the Program only small amounts of red meat. of Nutrition, Health and Behavior at the School of Public Health and a member of the Liver Unit at NAFLD is also a growing public health concern the Department of Gastroenterology in Tel Aviv in Israel. “There are usually no symptoms, so Medical Center. She is also a member of the Na- most people don’t even know that they have the tional Committee of Gastroenterology, Hepatol- disease,” notes Zelber-Sagi. Physical inactivity ogy and Nutrition at the Ministry of Health, and and a diet rich in saturated fats and added sugars several European public health committees. are the primary causes of NAFLD.

HEIGHTS / SPRING 2019 / 15 Data Science Clinical Medicine Computer Science

Health

KNOWLEDGE-BASED AND DATA DRIVEN Management DECISION SUPPORT FOR PHYSICIANS Made Easy Following successful pilot testing in Spain and Italy, University of Haifa researchers continue to lead the way in mobile patient support systems and are now developing PERSONALIZED PATIENT increasingly sophisticated knowledge- DECISION AND SUPPORT SYSTEM based and data-driven decision-support tools for physicians.

he MobiGuide system, which provides management is in the hands of patients and care- patients and health care professionals givers, there is a critical need for tools that will with real-time clinical information and make it easier on patients to stick to their medi- suggestions, has recently completed cation plan. Ttwo successful pilot trials. The results indicating patient compliance –the degree to which patients “There are a number of reasons why patients do adhere accurately to medical advice– surpassed not always follow their medications,” explains the expectations of researchers and clinicians. “We Peleg. “Multiple prescriptions can be confusing, were delighted to discover that in a clinical study symptoms may be intermittent, or patients alter of pregnant women with gestational diabetes in their prescriptions because they don’t like the Spain, all of the users persistently followed their side effects. Digital technology can personalize monitoring and treatment recommendations as therapy by monitoring patient status and enabling prescribed by their physicians,” explains Prof. Mor real time interaction with doctors. MobiGuide Peleg, scientific coordinator of the MobiGuide proj- was designed with this in mind – to improve ect and former head of the Department patients’ quality of life, help facilitate patient of Information Systems. “The high rate trust, reduce medical errors and hospitalization of adherence, nearly 99%, resulted in admissions, and lower doctors’ work loads.” stabilized blood sugar, significantly Prof. Mor Peleg is Chair of the lower blood pressure, and a trend for “Building on the success of MobiGuide, we are new Data Science Program, a fewer C-sections. Likewise, findings now working with colleagues at Stanford Uni- member of The Caesarea Edmond from a pilot conducted with atrial fibril- versity and Rambam Health Care Campus on ex- Benjamin de Rothschild Founda- lation (irregular heartbeat) patients in tending the automated intelligence system to tion Institute for Interdisciplin- Italy indicated a 75-82% compliance handle patients with chronic multimorbidity ary Applications of Computer rate as well as an increase in patient conditions, ranging from diabetes, cardiovascu- Science, and recipient of the 2019 satisfaction, due to increased safety.” lar disease, osteoporosis, schizophrenia, and Outstanding Researcher Rector’s more, considering patient preferences in treat- Award. After earning her PhD at The high success rates are anything but ment decisions. In the new system, patient clin- the Technion, she completed her trivial, given that 20-30% of prescrip- ical goals are shown as trees, with ‘green trees’ postdoc in biomedical informat- tion medication in the US alone are representing goals that are satisfied by the current ics at Stanford University. never filled, and that 50% of medica- treatment. The algorithm checks for ‘non-green tions for chronic disease are not taken trees’ (unmet goals) and alerts both patients and as prescribed. Since 99% of disease physicians about critical changes in health status.”

16 / UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA MAGAZINE Biology Computer Science Biochemistry A STEP CLOSER TO ENDING WORLD HUNGER: Uof H researchers discover wheat protein that promises to improve food security

Scientists are warning that global wheat production is facing a serious threat from fungal diseases. Yellow rust attacks wheat leaves and spikes, stopping their photosynthesis and shriveling the grains, consequently threatening global food supplies and contributing to billions in economic losses. Currently, farmers are spraying infected fields with fungicides to limit the damage.

pioneering study led by Prof. Tzion that can be used by seed companies and wheat Fahima and researchers at the Insti- breeders around the globe.” tute of Evolution (IOE) recently identified the structure of a new resis- The cloning of the Yr15 gene led to an even more Atance gene called Yr15 in wild emmer wheat that important discovery – the presence of the protects plants against the yellow rust epidemic. members of Tandem Kinase-Pseudokinases “Wheat accounts for 20% of calories and proteins (TPK), a protein family found in many plant consumed by humans. The identification of the species. “We suggest that TPK regulates the ‘cell natural disease resistance gene in wild emmer death’ mechanism in the immune system that wheat will reduce the use of harmful pesticides stops the invasion of a pathogen,” explains and pave the way towards ensuring global food Dr. Valentina Klymiuk, a co-author of the security,” explains Fahima. study who completed her PhD at the Labora- tory for Plant Genomics and Disease Resistance The breakthrough discovery is the culmination under the supervision of a 25-year research project. Researchers utilized of Prof. Tzion Fahima the genetic assembly of the bread wheat genome, and Prof. Abraham Prof. Tzion Fahima has taught and mentored an recently published by the International Wheat Korol. “This finding entire generation of Israeli and international wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC), to sheds light on the mo- researchers. He serves as the Director of the complete the study. “Due to its enormous size lecular evolution of Institute of Evolution, Head of the Laboratory for – five times larger than the human genome – it immune defense re- Plant Genomics and Disease Resistance, and is a took a consortium of more than 200 scientists sponses in plants, corresponding member on the IWGSC Coordination from around the globe over a decade to crack the animals and humans,” Committee, Scientific Board of the Israeli Gene Bank, code,” adds Fahima who is among the represen- notes Fahima, and several local and international advisory boards. tatives of Israel in the coordination committee of “thereby opening up a IWGSC. “Once unlocked, we were able to develop whole new field of sci- Dr. Valentina Klymiuk received the 2019 Jeanie perfect markers that can distinguish between the entific inquiry.” Borlaug Laube Women in Triticum (WIT) Early functional Yr15 gene, and about 20 other Career Award from the Borlaug Global Rust Initiative non-functional copies of this gene scattered (BGRI) for her contributions to the Yr15 gene study across the wheat genome. This is a powerful tool and the discovery of the TPK protein family.

HEIGHTS / SPRING 2019 / 17 Biology Archaeology Zoology Human Involvement in Ancient Food Webs May Shed Light on Resolving 21st Century Environmental Challenges

Scientists from the University of Haifa are leading a Photo: Dr. Yael Rotem cutting-edge study – merging archaeology and biology – to investigate human-environment interaction in antiquity, and its effects on ancient food-webs and the fragile Judean Desert ecosystem.

he unique topography and arid climate “Our goal is to decipher how human meddling in at the ancient village of Ein Gedi situat- food webs in antiquity might have caused the ed 400 meters below sea level, presents degradation of local pastoral resources, which led the perfect backdrop for reconstructing to the reliance of human communities on exter- Tthe ecological footprint of prehistoric peoples. nal supplies of livestock animals and wood.” “Clues from the past coupled with genetic ad- vances and new genomic technologies can help The DeadSea-Eco project is being funded by the us develop predictive models that could be ex- European Research Council through a major grant r e t s tremely beneficial for the design and implemen- of 1.5 million euros. The study involves the exper- a b a g tation of conservation strategies,” explains Dr. tise of a multidisciplinary team, comprised of ar- a z a L Nimrod Marom who is heading the DeadSea-Eco chaeologists, paleontologist, paleogeneticists and

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i project. “We are applying bioarchaeological archaeozoologists from the University of Haifa,

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I methods to uniquely preserved remains found in University of Kiel, the Israel Antiquities Authority,

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o the area, which date as far back as the Holocene Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv Univer-

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h P Epoch 10,000 years ago.” sity, and the Weizmann Institute of Science.

Scientists are studying the “The DeadSea-Eco project is setting the infra- Dr. Nimrod Marom is an archaeozoologist and remains of predators and structure for the advancement of archaeozoology member of the Leon Ricanati Institute of Maritime their prey indigenous to at the University of Haifa.” Civilizations and the Leon H. Charney School of the region – namely Marine Sciences. He received his BSc at the Hebrew leopard, ibex, hyrax, hyena University and did his graduate studies at the Uni- and fox. “Prehistoric versity of Haifa under Prof. Guy Bar-Oz of the Zinman leopard traps and walled Institute of Archaeology, a prominent Israeli archae- enclosures point to an in- ologist specializing in archaeozoology. Marom com- tensity of human involve- pleted his postdoc at the University of Chicago. ment in the desert land- scape in different periods,” adds Marom.

18 / UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA MAGAZINE Psychology Biology Fine Arts Behind the science of creative art therapies

pproximately one-third of women The research also aims to study how women of coping with breast cancer expe- different ethnic and religious backgrounds rience symptoms of depression, respond to the art therapy process. “Expressing anxiety, pain and fatigue, and emotion is inconsistent with social norms in some Aare not responsive to conventional talk therapies. ethnic minorities. As art therapy makes expres- A new study at the School of Creative Arts Ther- sion and communication possible within a safe apies is shedding light on the healing power of and supportive relationship, it is likely to elicit a art therapy in the promotion of wellness in more favorable response among more tradition- cancer patients. al and collectivist ethno cultures,” explains Czamanski-Cohen. “We are working closely with “We aim to study the biological and psycho-social Prof. Faisal Azaiza, Dean of the Faculty of Social mechanisms underlying emotional processing to Welfare and Health Sciences, and Prof. Miri better understand the mind-body connection in Cohen, Head of the School of Social Work, whose pioneering research explored perceptions and coping mechanisms of Arab women living with breast cancer in Israel and the West Bank.”

The research is being conducted by a multidisci- plinary team with expertise in art therapy, psy- cho-neuro-immunology, psycho-physiology, health psychology and social work from the Uni- versity of Arizona, Monash University, as well as Rabin and Ziv Medical Centers. Their findings from the pilot study was recently published in the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology.

The drawing, made by a breast cancer the healing process,” explains Dr. Johanna patient, depicts a desire for overcoming the Czamanski-Cohen of the School of Creative Arts emotional pain and Therapies, who is conducting the study with Dr. Dr. Johanna barriers still remaining Karen Weihs from the University of Arizona. Czamanski-Cohen after treatment. heads the University’s The research initiative, being funded by the Na- art therapy wet labora- tional Institute of Health (NIH), is studying a tory and is a research culturally-mixed group of 240 Jewish and Arab member of the Emili Sagol Cre- breast cancer patients who are undergoing an ative Arts Therapies Research Center, established 8-week program of outpatient art therapy ses- with the generosity of longstanding University bene- sions. During this period, Czamanski-Cohen factors, Tova and Sami Sagol. She received her mas- and her team will monitor physiological markers ter’s of Art Therapy from New York University and responsible for inflammation in the immune completed a PhD in Social Work and Health Scienc- system using blood samples, heart rate variabil- es at Ben Gurion University. Shortly after completing ity using ECG, and social-psychological respons- her postdoc at the University of Arizona, she became es as self-reported by the participants. a faculty member at the University of Haifa.

HEIGHTS / SPRING 2019 / 19 Neurobiology Genetics Psychology

Transforming our knowledge of the brain to understand and treat neurodevelopmental disorders

he human brain has the astounding capac- lecular, cellular, and circuit levels,” explains Prof. ity to control all major body systems. While Kobi Rosenblum, Director of the NDD Center, recent technological advances have broad- Head of the Laboratory for Molecular and Cellu- ened our understanding of how the brain lar Mechanisms Underlying Learning and Memory, Tdevelops and functions, many questions remain. and the former Chair of the Sagol Department of How is information encoded in neurons? How are Neurobiology. memories stored and retrieved? How are emotions regulated? What are the molecular, cellular, and “We know that neurodevelopmental disorders genetic mechanisms underlying degenerative dis- have a strong genetic basis, as well as causal en- eases, such as Alzheimer’s disease? vironmental factors. These factors interact during various phases of brain development and trigger An interdisciplinary research team of the Univer- disease in ways that are not yet clearly under- sity’s leading neuroscientists, psychiatrists, neu- stood,” adds Prof. Rosenblum. robiologists, and psychologists will soon join forces to explore these and other pressing neu- The researchers in the Center will also be using roscience questions at the new Center for Neu- neuroimaging to study the psychological and rodevelopmental Disorders (NDD). The team will neural mechanisms of emotions and social be- pool their scientific expertise towards a shared haviors associated with neurodevelopmental goal: deepening the understanding of the root disorders. Prof. Simone Shamay-Tsoory and a causes of neurodevelopmental disorders, and team of psychologists are using fMRIs to study ultimately advancing medical treatments for mil- brain activity during real-life social interactions, lions of individuals suffering from debilitating to gain insight into the emotional and social con- neurodevelopmental diseases. sequences of developmental disorders, including affective disorders, personality disorders, and The innovative Center will be the first research schizophrenia. facility in Israel to study the full spectrum of neu- rodevelopmental disorders. Home to the Sagol “The new Center aims to position the University Department of Neurobiology, the University of of Haifa and Israel as a leading NDD research hub Haifa has gained an international reputation for in the region. It will provide scientists and out- research across fields of study including biochem- standing young researchers with a technolo- istry, cell biology, psychology, and neuroscience. gy-rich environment to fuel collaborative projects that will translate basic research into state-of “The new center will enable us to further inves- the-art patient care,” notes Prof. Rosenblum. tigate neurodevelopmental disorders at the mo-

20 / UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA MAGAZINE The Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Cellular Imaging Clinician Electrophysiology Child/Psychologist/Neurologist DCS NDD Researcher

mRNA Translation Social learning Regulation Behavior and Brain Imaging

Animal NDDs iPSCs Models Human Human Disease Genetics Model

Planned to facilitate dynamic interdisciplinary fMRI Imaging, and Deep Phenotyping. Each of work, the Center will include state-of-the-art these units will afford researchers access to labs, an integrated research and treatment center modern, innovative technology and attract leading for patients with NDD, and collaborative spaces scientists worldwide. The close proximity of re- for hosting international researchers. In its initial searchers and clinicians will enable a collaborative phase, the Center will be staffed by 14 scientists environment leading to a better understanding within four cutting-edge technological sub-cen- of mechanisms underlying NDDs and the devel- ters: Personalized Medicine, Single-Cell Analysis, opment of novel therapeutic approaches.

The University of Haifa is The Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders will seeking partners in support be housed at the Helmsley Health Discovery Tower, of the Center for our unique joint venture with Rambam Health Care Neurodevelopmental Campus, which promises to become one of the most Disorders. For more information, please contact advanced facilities in Israel in the fields of medicine and the Office of the Vice- life sciences. Bringing together physicians, researchers, President for External clinicians, and biotechnology start-ups, the Health Relations and Resource Discovery Tower will offer optimal conditions for Development. Moochly-Eldar Architects creating synergies that will accelerate innovations in patient-centered care. Rendering of the Helmsley Health Discovery Tower.

HEIGHTS / SPRING 2019 / 21 CHAMPIONING ISRAEL’S SUSTAINABILITY BLUEPRINT

Prof. Ofira Ayalon is among Israel’s foremost sustainability experts and an internationally renowned leader in waste management. Her pioneering environmental research over the past two decades has served as a basis for environmental management strategies and policy making in Israel.

n recognition for her far-reaching contribu- development of environmental policy – the gov- tions to climate change, sustainable energy, ernment and the public. I believe that academia waste and natural resources management, must play a leading role in providing evidence Prof. Ayalon was awarded the 2018 Mifal and guidance for a better informed citizenry.” IHapais ‘Michael Landau Prize’ for the Sciences and Research in the field of sustainability. Ayalon is no stranger to environmental stew- ardship and advocacy. Her research on alterna- On receiving the award, Ayalon confides she was tive fuels led to the Israeli government reforms in both honored and surprised, “I am extremely the fuel sector, such as its recent decision to offer outspoken on environmental issues and have a Prof. Ofira Ayalon incentive grants totaling over $8 million to local reputation for being a ‘rebel’, so I wasn’t expect- Department of authorities to install charging stations to electric ing this.” She has written extensively on sustain- Natural Resources vehicles and $28.5 million to companies willing and Environmental ability issues related to biofuel potential in Israel Management to integrate compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling and energy policy, agriculture and its impact on Former Director, infrastructure within public gas stations. At the the environment, business opportunities in en- Natural Resource and University, she has been a driving force behind vironmental technologies (clean-tech), trans- Environmental Research the administration’s environmental agenda, Center (NRERC) portation-related air pollution, household waste which has developed into an integral part of its management, and adaptation to climate change. Head, Environmental organizational culture on campus. Projects at the Samuel Neaman Institute for “The application of research to decision-making National Policy Research A great part of her research also focuses on the is like turning an ocean liner,” explains Ayalon. development of renewable technologies, for “A time lag exists between scientific assessment which she has received the prestigious Iraj Zandi of environmental problems and their legal regu- Award from the Widener University School of lation and enforcement. My goal is to try to close Engineering for her contributions to the field of this gap.” She believes a key component to reach- solid waste technology management. She is cur- ing a solution is through behavioral change. rently collaborating with the Innovation and University of Haifa Technology for Development Center at the Tech- became Israel’s first “Sustainability is about education,” notes Ayalon. university to achieve nical University of Madrid on transdisciplinary “There are two major players that determine the “Green Campus” status sustainability projects. over a decade ago.

22 / UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA MAGAZINE The Hospital as Art: “Field Hospital X” Exposes Social Ills

The University of Haifa’s School of the Arts will have a unique presence at the 58th International Art Exhibition - La Biennale di Venezia, also known as the Art Olympics. Prof. Aya Ben Ron’s project “Field Hospital X”, chosen as Israel’s art pavilion, is a powerful and bold multisensory hospital that communicates personal stories of social ills and injustices.

Field Hospital X (FHX) is a new between, they visit the hospital’s ‘Safe-Unit Area’, project that challenges the way in where they can learn how to produce a ‘Self-Con- which art can act and react in the tained Shout’. face of social ills in society. “Learning from the structure and practice of Among the project’s most enthusiastic support- hospitals, health maintenance orga- ers is Tzili Charney, Vice-Chair of the Univer- nizations and healing resorts, FHX sity’s Board of Governors, art patron and Jewish provides a space in which silenced philanthropist, under the auspices of the Leon voices can be heard and social injus- Charney Resolution Center. Currently, the ‘Care Kit’ videos are a collection tices can be seen,” explains Prof. Ben Ron. of four personal stories Field Hospital X was created by Ben Ron with of social injustices Like in a hospital, FHX’s visitors take a number and curator Avi Lubin and producer Miki experienced and recounted by invited artists. wait in a reception area. “Our goal is for all our Gov. Following its launch at the visitors to receive equal treatment,” explains Ben Venice Biennale, it will travel Ron, “this is why no private or ‘skip the line’ visits to other venues around the are available.” While waiting, visitors watch the world and produce addi- FHX TV Program - a video that provides information tional Care-Kits with new about the hospital’s ideology, its Care-Areas and participating local and Care-Kits. In it, FHX presenter Victoria Hanna international artists. repeats some of the hospital mottos: “Take care; be patient; be a patient; care needs time.”

At the reception desk, each visitor receives a hos- Aya Ben Ron is an award-winning artist and art pro- pital ‘Risk-Wristband’ that determines which of fessor at the University of Haifa and Hadassah Aca- the four Care-Kits they will watch in the ‘Care- demic College. Her works range from site specific Chair Area’ before being discharged. Each Care-Kit projects and installations to moving-image, docu- contains a video by an invited artist, telling a per- mentary, and film, and includes collaborations with sonal story and revealing a social injustice. In medical institutions and hospitals.

HEIGHTS / SPRING 2019 / 23 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Esti Kampinski is not your typical university student. She is an ultra-Orthodox high school teacher, mother of nine and grandmother of five. She is a student in the rigorous MA program in Creative Art Therapies offered at Mivchar – the Haredi College in Bnei Brak that partners with the University of Haifa to offer a variety of academic degrees.

“I love my work and really care about my students. games, group-dynamic games, mime, puppetry, I chose to go back to school so that I could gain face painting, mask work and storytelling. tools that could help my students cope with learn- ing and social challenges in and outside of the “I make the two-hour journey from Jerusalem to classroom.” University of Haifa academic pro- Bnei Brak once a week. I am the oldest person in grams offered at Mivchar have been tailored to the class (most of the girls in the program are my meet both the religious and academic needs of daughter’s age), but it has been well worth it. My the Haredi population. Women study in the classes are stimulating and insightful, and for me morning hours while the men study in the after- the experience has been transformative − not only noon and evening hours. in my classroom, but also in my personal life.”

“The combination of drama and psychodrama Esti Kampinski is the granddaughter of Rabbi appealed to me because it complements my back- Pinchas Menachem Alter Z”L , the seventh Rebbe ground in acting and love for the stage.” Partic- of the Hasidic Ger dynasty. “Growing up in an ipants in the Drama Therapy and Psychodrama intellectually stimulating environment, I de- track explore internal conflicts through dra- veloped a thirst for knowledge and inquiry-based ma-based exercises such as role-play, theater learning.”

“I am so thankful for the constant support and encouragement I receive from my husband and children. This experience has taught me Mivchar was founded with a goal of The University of Haifa is committed to its that it is never too late to further your educa- creating a framework to allow Haredi mission of expanding academic opportu- tion. In fact, I am thinking of pursuing my men and women to pursue careers while nities for all members of society, and studies in advanced psychotherapy after com- maintaining their religious lifestyles. promoting upward mobility. At the Bnei pleting this degree.” Today the college offers academic degrees Brak campus, the University is training a from leading Israeli Universities. new generation of Haredim to enter and succeed in the Israeli workforce, and improve their standard of living.

24 / UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA MAGAZINE Ehud Kotliar

anks to the generous support over the last decade from longstanding friends Younes and Soraya Nazarian (pictured above), the Library has become an active hub of research and intellectual life on campus. BACK TO BASICS Join the University of Haifa community in CAMPAIGN GOALS promoting our new crowdsourcing campaign, For more information inviting the public to support activities at 1 Extended 2 Expand Digital 3 Assistive please contact the office the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Library – Library Hours Collections Technologies of the Vice-President for External Affairs and Israel’s premiere academic library. Resource Development

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