2010 Board of Governors Issue

2010 BOARD OF GOVERNORS ISSUE JOHN GANDEL SYMPOSIUM STEINHARDT CONNECTS TO NaTURE Making the Case for Israel • NINE RECEIVE HONORARY Alan Dershowitz joins hard-hitting panel discussion on DOCTORATES improving Israel’s international image • DAN DAVid HOSTS KasPAROV Israel is failing on the public relations bat- war criminals, which he identifies as “guerilla tlefield, and increasing anti-Israeli sentiment is lawfare” against Israel. “We have to regain the • leading to cultural, academic and commercial initiative and retake the narrative,” he said. ANNUAL PRIZES boycotts. The growing threat to Israel’s legiti- “The Israeli government should file a lawsuit macy was the focus of this year’s Annual John in the courts of England seeking to make sure Gandel Symposium, hosted by the Moshe that these forms of universal jurisdiction can- of pro-Israeli professors around the world to not continue to be abused. Israel has to fight publicly defend Israel, while Taub recognized back in every international forum available the need to reach out and build alliances with to it,” said Dershowitz. Diaspora Jews who are either ignorant of the situation in Israel or “We have to regain the initiative fearful of speaking up in their com- and retake the narrative” munities. Speakers stressed the need Prof. Alan Two points that the speakers identified as for Israel to rise above attempts to delegitimize Dershowitz critical for Israel were appealing to the po- the country by vigilant self-evaluation and up- litical center and empowering advocates for holding the highest human rights standards. Israel to speak up and make their opinions known. “The message is spreading that there is something il- Message from the President legitimate about Israel and Israelis,” said Prof. Rabinovich. “What we want to win is the center Dear Governors and Friends, of the intelligentsia, media Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African and public opinion around Our 2010 Board of Governors meeting, my first as Studies and founded by John Gandel of the world.” He suggested president, was by all accounts a success. We worked Australia, TAU governor and honorary doctor. better public speaking train- hard to ensure that Board activities struck just the The symposium brought together three ing for those who represent right balance between working sessions, intellectual content and so- leading scholars and diplomats: Prof. Alan Israel, and said that resum- ciability. I was proud of our scientists and students who gave fascinat- Dershowitz of Harvard University, world- ing a stalled peace process is ing research presentations; both as researchers and as human beings, renowned lawyer, human rights advocate and crucial to defending Israel’s they epitomize the top-notch level of the University. 2010 TAU honorary doctor; Prof. Itamar position. At the Board we grappled with university governance issues and Rabinovich, former Israeli Ambassador to On the subject of peace, emerged with a revised constitution (see page 2 for story). Board Washington and a past TAU President; and Taub discussed the need members also took part in an open debate about faculty who are in- Daniel Taub, Principle Deputy Legal Advisor to help create a positive volved in efforts to have Israeli universities boycotted. at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and former Palestinian national identity. I enjoyed the chance to meet many governors and supporters for Wexner Fellow at the Kennedy School of “The Palestinian national the first time, during the Board, and to host them on campus. Since Government at Harvard University. The sym- identity is predicated on then, I’ve had a chance to reciprocate the visit in some of our friends’ posium was moderated by incoming Dean of martyrdom. Only if there is home communities and I look forward to many more such visits this Humanities and then director of the Dayan a positive yes out there can coming year. Center, Prof. Eyal Zisser. the Palestinians say no to According to Prof. Dershowitz, Israel the negative aspects of their Sincerely, should fight back against the growing tendency identity,” he said. Professor Joseph Klafter of European countries to threaten prosecution Prof. Dershowitz em- TAU President of Israeli politicians and military personnel as phasized the responsibility INTERVIEW WITH ROBERT GOLDBERG The 2010 Board of be appointed to the Search Wiener. We were lucky to get the help of TAU Governors meeting ush- TAU Committee for the remain- Governor Marshall Polk, the AFTAU Board ered in a new era for Tel ing five public representa- Secretary, and his international committee in Aviv University govern- Constitutional tives for the Council. When fine-tuning the amendments in time for the ance, with a large major- it comes to the removal of Board meeting. ity of governors approv- Reform Executive Council mem- ing revisions to the TAU bers, both the Board and Are you satisfied with the reform? Constitution at the opening plenary session Senate now have roles, and the procedures and There’s room for improvement still. I’d like on May 9th. We spoke to Robert Goldberg, grounds for dismissal have been better defined. to see the Board and the Senate be able to outgoing Chairman of the Board, about the In addition, the Senate now has greater present amendments to the TAU Constitution significance of the reform. powers to decide on academic matters and, in without the prior approval of the Executive certain instances, it will have the final word. Council. I’d also like to see the Board con- sulted when it comes to firing the university What was the purpose of the revisions? How were these changes decided? president. Mainly to create a system of checks and bal- All the changes pertaining to the Board of But I think that, overall, the integrity of ances between the Board of Governors and the Governors and the Executive Council were the TAU Board of Governors was restored. Executive Council. based on a memoran- Trust and trans- dum of understanding The Robert Goldberg parency were What were the main changes? signed last December Scholarship Fund: Bobby revitalized. The The most important one was that the TAU between myself and Goldberg was feted by TAU University lead- governors, friends, faculty and Board of Governors was reinstated as the high- Dr. Leora Meridor, the staff at a reception honoring his ership can move est authority of the University. That status had Chair of the Executive four-year term as Chairman of ahead now, with a the TAU Board of Governors. been eroded over the last few years, but we Council. Additional In recognition of his service sounder founda- managed to reverse this trend. changes relating to the and his devotion to students, tion underneath, a scholarship fund in his name The other big change can be summarized Senate, President and was established. to what’s most as better representation. Two members of Rector were recom- important to all the Board, to be appointed by a new Board mended by an ad-hoc of us who love committee called the “Standing Committee,” committee appointed by the TAU President, TAU – and that’s supporting the faculty and will now be included among the seven pub- Prof. Joseph Klafter, and made up of Prof. students who make the University the excel- lic representatives in the Executive Council. Ori Cheshnovsky, Mrs. Raya Jaglom, Dr. lent place it is. Additionally, two Board members will likewise Yehoshua (Shuki) Gleitman and Prof. Ina KANTOR CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF CONTEMPORARY EUROPEAN JEWRY Reviving the Jewish Diaspora From a height of ten million prior to World TAU President Joseph Klafter said that the Anti-Semitism and Racism, the world’s most War II, Jews in Europe and Russia number establishment of a research center on European comprehensive collection on the subject and only one and a half million today. Despite its Jewry at TAU, one of the few in the world, an invaluable resource for researchers. small size, however, the European Jewish com- will contribute to the growing momentum Representing the European Union at the munity has been undergoing a remarkable re- in Europe to appreciate its rich Jewish past event was Spanish Ambassador to Israel Alvaro vival since the 1990s in the cultural, political, and rejuvenate Jewish culture. He praised Dr. Iranzo. He said, “we must affirm the impor- intellectual and spiritual spheres. Kantor for his commitment to Jewish commu- tance of the contribution of contemporary This phenomenon is the focus of TAU’s nity life in Russia and Europe. European Jewry to the Europe of the 21st cen- new Kantor Center for the Study of tury that we are building.” Contemporary European Jewry, founded by The event, which was attended by Dr. Moshe Kantor, President of the European 25 European ambassadors and heads of Jewish Congress. The center’s mission is to mission, as well as a delegation from the conduct interdisciplinary research into the European Jewish Congress Executive, history, tradition and cultural legacy of con- featured a discussion on European Jewish temporary European Jewry and endeavor to history by TAU scholars Prof. Dina Porat, play a key role in strengthening the identity of Head of the Roth Institute and designated From left: Diaspora Jews in Europe. head of the Kantor Center, Dr. Raphael Adv. Arie Dr. Kantor, a scientist, businessman and Vago and Dr. Havi Dreyfuss Ben-Sasson. Zuckerman, Prof. Dina philanthropist, has been instrumental in Also participating were Dr. Kantor’s close Porat and Dr. founding several programs dedicated to bat- advisor, Advocate Arie Zuckerman, and Moshe Kantor tling extremism and promoting tolerance in Prof. Klafter announced that within the former TAU President and ambassador to the Europe, as well as strengthening European framework of the Stephen Roth Institute for USA, Prof.

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