View, We Share with You Dr

Tel Aviv University | 2020

How COVID-19 Sparked a Learning Revolution th in the world 30,000 8for graduates with successful startups 2,500 students international Israel's largest university students

TOP Reuters 15 TOP global st 100 st film school 1 in Israel: Innovation University in Israel: US patents number1 and impact of scientific publications Officers of Tel Aviv University

Prof. Jacob A. Frenkel Chairman of the Board of Governors Mr. Eli Gelman Chairman of the Executive Council Prof. Ariel Porat President Prof. Mark Shtaif Rector Mr. Gady Frank Director-General Prof. Milette Shamir Vice President Prof. Dan Peer Vice President for Research and Development Mr. Amos Elad Vice President for Resource Development Mr. Robert Goldberg, Dr. h.c. Michael H. Steinhardt Chairmen Emeriti of the Board of Governors Dear Friends, Dr. h.c. Dame Shirley Porter, Dr. h.c. Jeremy The 2020-21 academic year has rolled out under the shadow of the ongoing Coller corona crisis, but this situation hasn’t held back the University, its marvelous Deputy Chairpersons of the Board of Governors people and its remarkable innovations in the service of Israel and the world. Dr. h.c. Sylvan Adams, Dr. h.c. Marcus Besen, In this, the inaugural issue of a revamped TAU Review, we share with you Dr. h.c. Josef Buchmann, Dr. h.c. Boaz Dotan, exciting developments on campus. Leveraging TAU’s ability to get bright minds Mr. James Dubin, Dr. Anita Friedman, Dr. h.c. Sami Sagol from different fields working together, we launched several interdisciplinary Vice Chairpersons of the Board of Governors initiatives such as the Center for Combating Pandemics (a global first); the Jack, Ms. Dafna Meitar-Nechmad, Dr. Anita Friedman Joseph and Morton Mandel Center for the Humanities in STEM; and a cross- Co-Chairs of the TAU Global Campaign cultural Entrepreneurship Accelerator. Two new projects, the Shmunis School Prof. Eyal Zisser of Biomedicine and Cancer Research and the Taube-Koret Global Collaboration Vice Rector in Neurodegenerative Diseases, both further top goals of boosting academic, Prof. Yaron Oz Pro-Rector industry and international research ties. At the same time, the University is Prof. Eran Neuman breaking down gender stereotypes, for example with prominent women scholars Dean of the Yolanda and David Katz Faculty in Talmud Studies. of the Arts And of course there are the students–our great pride and the nation’s Prof. Yossi Rosenwaks promise. Both last spring and this year, our students have had to brave COVID-19 Dean of the Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering restrictions and remote learning. One response we’ve made is to dramatically Prof. Tova Milo rethink online education and pave the way toward more effective digital learning. Dean of the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty Another response has been to recognize the severe financial distress that many of Exact Sciences of our students are experiencing, and to harness TAU and donor funds toward Prof. Rachel Gali Cinamon helping them continue with their studies. Dean of the Lester and Sally Entin Faculty of Humanities During these challenging days, I have drawn strength and inspiration from the Prof. Sharon Hannes TAU leadership and community, and especially from TAU’s global circle of friends Dean of the Buchmann Faculty of Law and supporters. Their dedication is heartwarming. Prof. Abdussalam Azem Dean of the George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences Prof. Moshe Zviran Regards, Dean of the Coller School of Management Prof. Ehud Grossman Dean of the Sackler Faculty of Medicine Prof. Itai Sened Dean of the Gershon H. Gordon Faculty Prof. Ariel Porat of Social Sciences President, Tel Aviv University Prof. Tova Most Dean of Students Prof. Liat Kishon Rabin Dean of Innovation in Learning and Teaching

1 Opening Gates and Scaling Mountains 12

The TAU women who are breaking convention in the Jewish World Combating Pandemics 8

New TAU Center to tackle global pandemics from a strategic, multidisciplinary perspective

Enemies: A Love Story 18

Iran's trapped Jewish minority in photos

Issued by the Strategic Communications Dept. Development and Public Affairs Division Big Ideas 8 Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv 6997801 Tel Aviv, Israel Tel: +972 3 6408249 Fax: + 972 3 6407080 TLV Perspectives 18 E-mail: [email protected] www.tau.ac.il Global Campaign 22 COVID-19 Student Aid 23

Editor: Melanie Takefman COVID-19 Student Aid Campaign Contributors: Rava Eleasari, Ruti Ziv, Idit Nirel, Change-Makers 25 helps students who need it most Lisa Kremer, Lindsey Zemler, Rafael Ben-Menashe, Sugandh P. Ojha Graphic Design: Issi Dvir TLV Blog 28 Cover and Inside Front Cover Photos: Yoram Reshef Contributing Photographers: Yoram Reshef, Alumni 32 Moshe Bedarshi, Hasan Sarbakhshian, Yehonatan Zur, Yoav Klarman, Yael Tzur, Noam Wind, Muki Schwartz, Omer Levi, Engineers without Borders- News in Brief 34 TAU. Administrative Assistant: David Jozsef Printing: Shavit Print The Social Page 36

COVER STORY

The Virtual TAU Team Academic First Responders How TAU spearheaded a learning revolution in the wake of COVID-19

By Idit Nirel four years ago. His course, "Labor Law," hen COVID-19 broke in Israel in is a hybrid course. This means that Wmid-March and the country shut students study theoretical materials on down, Tel Aviv University decided to their own through online videos of his continue teaching all courses online— lectures, and the in-person sessions are almost overnight. dedicated to discussions and analyzing While many professors and students the latest case studies. Mundlak's struggled to adapt, Prof. Guy Mundlak motivation to go digital preceded was ready. COVID-19, and arose for completely Mundlak, who teaches both at the different reasons: “Teaching this course Buchmann Faculty of Law and the for over 20 years, I couldn’t reinvent Department of Labor Studies at the the wheel and find new ways to teach Gordon Faculty of Social Sciences, the same material every time," he says. made the change to online teaching So he decided to make the course

make lessons more engaging. These included splitting the class into virtual workgroups, using shared documents or creating classroom quizzes to spur discussions.

COVER STORY COVER They also conducted large-scale surveys to evaluate how students The coronavirus crisis profoundly disrupted higher learn online and to assess satisfaction. education and forced it to make the transition to the According to these surveys, which reached 7,000 students and 750 digital world—this is exactly the kind of disruption faculty members, the vast majority that was needed. of students said they would like to incorporate online learning into their studies in the future. Like other universities around digital as a way to refresh it. This is the unit responsible for enhancing the world, TAU also faced the new why, for Mundlak, online learning is the University’s digital teaching challenge of conducting online exams not a constraint, but rather it opens environment and resources. and evaluations. While spring semester up new opportunities: "The format According to her, “online courses or exams were conducted from home allows students to learn the general integrating digital methods into other with supervisors overseeing students concepts at their own pace, and I can courses allow for more personalized through Zoom, TAU is now introducing focus my classroom lessons on what learning that is customized to a pilot computerized authentication interests us here and now, without students’ needs.” At the same time, system for online exams. The new worrying if I’ve covered all the material “online learning can provide students technology will secure online exams in the classroom in time for the exam," with skills for lifelong learning, which by verifying students’ identity and he explains. “This approach leaves are crucial for success in today's labor monitoring their presence and me more room for spontaneity, for market—such as time management activities during the exam. Although dealing with matters of the hour, and the ability to learn independently.” this is a big step forward, Soffer is and for diving deep into topics with aware that in the long run adopting the students. As a result, I don’t just COVID-19 Pushes Learning Online more and more of these technologies lecture to my students; I engage and As the coronavirus spread in Israel may be intrusive and make students involve them in issues that touch their and lockdown appeared imminent, feel as if “big brother” is watching. everyday lives—which is actually the Soffer and her team were already “We need to maintain a balance best way to learn.” working around the clock to facilitate between technology and ensuring With the pandemic and the shift to online studies. It was a the students’ privacy.” Rather than lockdown crushing the success. More than 90,000 live relying on anti-cheating applications, economy, Mundlak's online lessons took place over Soffer says, in the future the University course became the spring semester, and should also encourage alternative especially relevant thousands of lessons were evaluation methods. These include to his students. He recorded, to allow students essays, collaborative student projects, dedicated his classes— to study on their own time. or open-book exams that require taught via Zoom—to All in all, online learning students to reflect on the topics employment issues that Dr. Tal Soffer during the first lockdown learned, minimizing the need for emerged during the Corona accounted for more than 50,000 digital exams as the main determinant pandemic, such as the ramifications hours and 10 terabits in digital volume. of success in the course. of layoffs and furloughs. Because most Soffer and her team set up a "The coronavirus crisis profoundly of his students had been working technical support hotline for online disrupted higher education and forced as waiters or in other hourly jobs to learning; they received as many it to make the transition to the digital finance their studies, these subjects as 700 calls per day. In addition to world—and, in a way, I believe this is were not just academic theory, but assisting professors in overcoming exactly the kind of disruption that was reality for many of them. the technicalities of online teaching, needed," Soffer says. "The question is, Providing Prof. Mundlak with the team also created more than how do we move forward from here?" digital tools for online teaching was 50 video guides showing lecturers Yuval Shreibman, Director of TAU Dr. Tal Soffer, Director of Virtual TAU, how to use online learning tools to Online–Innovative Learning Center,

4 TAU REVIEW | 2020 agrees that the pandemic accelerated not take standardized university personal guidance from the program's digital innovation in education admissions tests. Yet, it also teaching staff, online study forums because the situation provides greater access to and demanding student projects forced people and the University for young throughout the degree. Based on the institutions to step out of Israelis from disadvantaged same high entrance requirements their comfort zones. He backgrounds or outlying as the regular MBA programs led by should know; TAU Online communities, who otherwise the Coller School of Management— has been producing might not be able to study at recently ranked as the 13th school in online courses since long Prof. Guy Mundlak TAU. the world for producing VC-backed before the corona crisis, among TAU is also setting out to entrepreneurs—the program is other initiatives, to make academia launch a new, fully online international expected to attract ambitious students more accessible through technology. MBA program, the first of its kind to from across the globe. "Universities all around the world be offered by an Israeli university. Now COVID-19 underlined the understood a long time ago that in advanced stages of planning and importance of online learning at TAU they have to transform learning and approval, the program is due to launch so much that President Ariel Porat enhance their online and digital tools," in Autumn 2021. It is pre-designed created a new position to oversee it; says Shreibman. "COVID-19 caused us for optimal online learning and will Prof. Liat Kishon-Rabin became Dean to leap forward and address problems combine video courses that students of Innovation in Learning and Teaching that we could previously overlook. will study on their own, along with in July. “TAU has always prided itself At the same time, it shows us that we need to rethink complementary classroom learning to make it more active and engaging." Innovating on All Levels Given the volatile reality and constantly changing regulations, TAU prepared for all possible scenarios for the new academic year. The University had intended to offer first-year students—who are taking their first steps in the academic world—the option to physically attend classes. However, as of press time (November 2020) with Israel still imposing strict measures to curb infection, studies wilI be conducted online for all students, at least for the first semester. To address this challenge, Virtual TAU has launched an unprecedented effort to arm lecturers with versatile presentation tools and introduce additional fully online courses. Among the new courses produced are a multidisciplinary course on climate change and a comprehensive math course for engineering students. Admissions to the University are also going online, with a new admissions track based on participation and success in specific online courses chosen by each faculty. The new track is currently intended for candidates who, as a result of COVID-19, could

Student Michal Ferenz and Archaeology Prof. Erez Ben-Yosef 5

on being a leader in educational innovation, but the coronavirus Brain + Learning = Minducate pandemic has highlighted the need to focus on this field even Minducate is an innovation and learning center that brings together more," says Prof. Porat. "I trust outstanding young researchers at TAU to explore the science of learning and

COVER STORY COVER that Prof. Kishon-Rabin will build create a bridge between education, academia, and industry. The center is a on our existing achievements joint endeavor of the Sagol School of Neuroscience and TAU Online–Innovative and lead us through the post- Learning Center. corona era with vision and A yearly cohort of fellows lead novel, technology-based research combining success.” fields such as neuroscience and psychology to enhance our understanding of learning and teaching. The 2020 fellows focus on the future of learning. For Providing Critical Support example, Dr. Konstantin Sonkin, of the Sagol School of Neuroscience, is creating during Online Learning a robot to enhance the motor and cognitive learning of special-needs children. Despite the positive insights Doctoral candidate Yael Shavit, also of the Sagol School, researches the neuro- gleaned about online learning, mechanisms that drive brain activity in order to improve language-acquisition TAU must take into account skills. Tomer Gal, a doctoral candidate at the Constantiner School of Education, students who struggle with is studying how using automated instructions during a learning exercise can studying remotely. Alberto provide students with personalized feedback. Meschiany, head of the Minducate receives support from the Dr. Garry Rayant and Dr. Kathy Fields- Psychological Services Unit at Rayant Minducate Learning Innovation Research Fund and the Walanpatrias TAU's Student Services Division, Foundation, and is managed by Dr. Michal Shevach. says that at the beginning of the crisis, his unit experienced a 15% rise in requests for psychological support. “For many students, the anxiety resulting from the pandemic to knock on a lecturer's door and As a senior member of the Student itself and its economic implications ask a question or discuss a topic Union, he fielded numerous calls was coupled with the stress of having spontaneously is lost in the context of from students who struggled to to study and take exams online learning." study within the new framework. from home," he says. Meschiany believes that as the Even students who fared well "For students who University adopts more and more felt shortchanged, according to live in the dorms or online learning methods, it should Berkheim. "The social interaction, come from lower make an effort to tailor them to class discussions and campus life socio-economic accommodate students with various are a crucial part of the package levels, this was difficulties. These include students that students expect from university exceptionally difficult. from underprivileged communities studies." Alberto Meschiany Many of them don't who don't have the proper conditions At the same time, Berkheim says have a quiet place to study. to study online; students who suffer that the unusual circumstances Some live in remote towns that don’t from anxiety in general; or others who broke traditional, hierarchical barriers have the Internet network to support feel lonely and vulnerable without a between students and professors. They continuous online studies.” live support network. “They will need found themselves communicating Yet, according to Meschiany, our active help,” he says. directly on WhatsApp groups, it isn't only the logistical and saw each other's homes during technological barriers that make the The Student Viewpoint Zoom sessions, and shared similar shift to online learning difficult for Looking back at lessons learned experiences of life during many TAU students. “Distance from from the “first wave” of online learning, the lockdown. "I hope other students can create feelings there is no question that TAU can learn that the University of alienation and loneliness. All the the most from its students. Jonathan will embrace this technology in the world cannot Berkheim, a master's student in new paradigm for replace the support that students get chemistry and spokesperson for TAU's student-professor from their peers,” he says. “In addition, Student Union when the pandemic relations in the the lack of a personal lecturer-student started, experienced the lockdown future." relationship has a negative effect on and its aftermath from several In addition, as a Jonathan Berkheim academic development. The ability perspectives. teaching assistant, he

6 TAU REVIEW | 2020 experienced distance learning from the other side of the virtual podium: "To hold regular classes on Zoom is not an ideal solution,” he says. “Something gets lost in translation. Students get distracted more easily. It was hard for me to know if they really Building Community during Crisis understood what I was teaching.” Finally, as a student himself, he When COVID-19 broke, hundreds of students who found that watching recorded lessons participated in “TAU Impact,” the University’s flagship at his own pace was convenient. community leadership program, were forced to abruptly "Face-to-face learning in the classroom terminate their field work. is crucial, but combining it with In response, the TAU Impact team, working under the Dean independent online studies is the way of Students, transformed their roster of community service to go and will have great benefits for programs from hands-on to virtual “overnight,” according students,” Berkheim concludes. to TAU Impact Director Rachel Warshawsky. This involved As the 2020-21 academic year guiding schoolchildren who were learning remotely, as well unfolds, it is clear that life with as online and phone work with the elderly, blind, mentally ill COVID-19 has become the new and other groups, among other activities. The popular TAU normal. All players involved in online program offers accredited courses integrating academic learning understand that TAU must knowledge with community service and will soon be a embrace the advantages moving requirement for forward. all undergraduate “Until recently, when I was students. presenting my own field of research— Ravid Yehezkely, which deals with future trends in the a medicine and life labor market and predicts that people sciences student, would increasingly shift to working had been teaching from home—people would tell me a movement class that it sounded too futuristic,” says for physically Prof. Mundlak. “Now it is has become a disabled adults for reality. The future is here.” her TAU Impact course when the pandemic started. With her original Ravid Yehezkely placement canceled, she was immediately recruited by Warshawsky’s team to tutor high school students. In addition to assisting them with schoolwork, she helped them cope with the hardships of the lockdown. In another successful TAU Impact project, students in the course “Ethics of Big Data in Smart Cities” created an app called TAU-Walks, which helps the blind and visually impaired navigate TAU’s campus. “We succeeded in carrying out meaningful social projects which helped many people in the community—even if from a distance—as well as the students themselves, who were gratified that they could contribute to society during this difficult time,” concludes Warshawsky.

BIG IDEAS BIG

Profs. Motti Gerlic (left) and Ariel Munitz

Global First: Center for Combating Pandemics TAU is combining interdisciplinary expertise with Israeli ingenuity to fight COVID-19 and future epidemics

By Rava Eleasari

espite tens of millions of cases Against this backdrop, Tel Aviv coronavirus across campus, as well Dworldwide, SARS-Cov-2, the University recently launched the as provide master’s and doctoral new coronavirus also referred Center for Combating Pandemics, the fellowships, upgrade labs and to as COVID-19, remains largely first of its kind in Israel and possibly the equipment, host visiting professors, misunderstood. The scientific and world. Building on TAU’s innovation run conferences and workshops, and medical communities still do not know record, interdisciplinary culture, and facilitate international collaborations. the causes—or long-term effects strong links with hospitals, industry Seed funding for the Center —of the killer virus’s wide range of and government, the Center has three has been generously provided by symptoms. main foci. It will strive to improve founding donor and TAU Honorary As more and more countries, frontline containment of infection, Doctor Frank Lowy, TAU Governors including Israel, experience a second bolster biomedical knowledge for Dr. Kathy Fields-Rayant and Dr. Garry wave of COVID-19, with rising death developing vaccines and treatments, Rayant, the Yuri Milner Foundation, rates and devastating economic and strengthen the nation's capacity and Yad Hanadiv. The Center was consequences, it is more urgent than to ensure social and economic inaugurated in an online ceremony ever to crack the virus and secure a resilience. It will coordinate among and webinar on October 18. more certain future for all. the 100 groups researching the “In the past 15 years, the world

8 TAU REVIEW | 2020 has seen a string of viral Questions could include: How do we pathogens infect large Developing Vaccines and as a society provide equitable access numbers of people, Therapies to medical services and resources to all among them SARS, Along those in need? How do we care for our MERS, swine flu and with improving elderly, vulnerable and disadvantaged avian flu. Clearly, the emergency groups? How do we strike the right we are not safe response to balance between individual rights and from dangerous the pandemic, public welfare? emerging diseases,” the Center says Center Head will establish Prof. Itai Benhar of a Biomedical Must History Repeat Itself? TAU’s Shmunis School Solutions Task of Biomedicine and Cancer Prof. Itai Benhar Force aimed both at “It was one of the worst outbreaks, Research. “We must look ahead.” deepening understanding of killing 100,000 in just seven months. the basic mechanisms underlying All public entertainment was banned Improving Frontline Performance the virus and at developing up- and victims were forcibly shut into To ensure that Israel—and other to-the-minute, precision drugs their homes to prevent the spread of countries—are better prepared, and technologies to diagnose, disease.” the Center will establish a Frontline treat and prevent it. Dozens of TAU –Account of the bubonic plague Response Program. To this end, scientists are already making widely epidemic in London, 1665 the Center will assemble groups reported breakthroughs, often with Profs. Motti Gerlic (left) and Ariel Munitz of experts from fields such as colleagues at TAU-affiliated hospitals. preventive and emergency medicine, One particularly promising epidemiology, disaster management, direction is the vaccine research psychology, social work and the of Prof. Jonathan Gershoni of the "The COVID-19 pandemic has taught health professions, along with data Shmunis School of Biomedicine us that you can’t separate the medical science, environmental studies and and Cancer Research. His vaccine crisis from the socioeconomic crisis," engineering. These teams will fine- candidate, which targets a says Prof. Sigal Alon of the Department tune tools and protocols for halting vulnerability in the coronavirus’s well- of Sociology and Anthropology, who transmission. known “spike” protein, was awarded studies employment. "The Center Examples include a recent project, a U.S. patent along with major for Combating Pandemics will boost funded by Google, at TAU’s AI and funding from the 3M corporation. my ability to incorporate different Data Science Center for employing AI Other projects include repurposing perspectives in my recommendations techniques and advanced statistical a melanoma “nano-vaccine” to fight to decision-makers to improve the job methods to improve COVID-19 public COVID-19 and the development of an market in the coronavirus era." health measures. Using government antibody cocktail, which is expected to Center Head Prof. Benhar concludes: data, the researchers are building a treat and temporarily prevent the virus. “Over the longer term, we envision model of the spread of the pandemic the Center not only contributing to to assist in planning and testing Supporting Fact-Based global efforts to combat and contain various methods for stopping Policymaking the current crisis, but also building the infection. The Center will scientific and professional foundations In another project, mobilize scholars from to enable us to successfully cope with a team led by Prof. non-biomedical fields the next one.” Motti Gerlic and Prof. including economics, Ariel Munitz, both of law, public policy, TAU’s Sackler Faculty management and of Medicine, has education in a developed a robotic Social and Economic blood test for antibodies Resilience Think Tank against the coronavirus aimed at informing Prof. Sigal Alon and is working with the Israel national policy. Their goal Defense Forces to test the method on will be to objectively look at what’s soldiers. happening today, ask hard questions, and recommend solutions.

Accelerating BIG IDEAS BIG Jewish-Arab Entrepreneurship TAU's jumpTAU program helps bicultural teams found start-ups and friendships

By Lindsey Zemler

f you put a law student, a medical reduce loneliness among the elderly. was a major advantage, especially "Istudent, a social sciences student “We discovered that loneliness is less for the Arab students; finding a and an engineer in a room–it's prevalent among Arab seniors because job, for example, says Watted, not the start of a joke. It's the start they generally live with their families, would otherwise be very difficult of a creative idea," says Yair Sakov, while Jewish seniors do not,” she says. for someone like him, who has no Managing Director of TAU’s Innovation Polevoi adds that she entered the experience or contacts in Israel’s and Entrepreneurship Center and program ready to learn as much as business community. its accelerator program, jumpTAU. possible before graduating, especially In addition to networking The four-month program provides a in the field of digital marketing. opportunities, the program, funded by framework for teams of TAU students Similarly, Arab-Israeli Osaid Watted, a the U.S. Embassy and USAID's Conflict and recent alumni to develop a second-year mechanical engineering Mitigation and Management (CMM) business or social venture. In 2020, student, applied to jumpTAU to Program, provided additional benefits the Center, which promotes the cultivate his entrepreneurial skills. He to participants, says Sakov. integration of diverse communities also wished to forge connections to Jewish students gained a rare into Israel's entrepreneurial ecosystem, the Jewish business world. Watted window into the Arab market through focused on bringing together Arab was part of the team that launched their Arab peers, a huge market and Jewish students. Game On, an online social platform for opportunity locally and globally, he Although Arab citizens constitute amateur athletes to find sports games says. more than 20% of Israel's population, to compete in. The team members’ Polevoi says she emerged from relations between Arab and Jewish different fields of study enhanced the the program with new knowledge Israelis are often characterized by business development process, he and skills and a refined direction in ignorance, prejudice and fear. The says. life. The experience led her to take a same is true on Israeli campuses: The jumpTAU novice entrepreneurs job in a solar energy venture upon "Connections between Jews and Arabs received guidance from industry graduation from TAU. She also became are happening in the workplace," veterans and executives with good friends with her Arab teammate Sakov says, "but in academia we don't decades of experience. and says that participation see it enough." All of the program’s in the accelerator was an According to jumpTAU participant volunteer mentors opportunity to get to know Lena Polevoi, a Jewish biomedical are TAU alumni. a new culture first-hand. engineering student, having Jews Most important, For Watted, the and Arabs working together gave her the mentors experience provided team unique insights into developing provided an enormous personal and a product. She acted as CEO of a entry point into professional benefits; student group developing a digital the business "the entrepreneurial sense platform called Chatty, which aims to world, which in me grew, and I became

10 Osaid Watted TAU REVIEW | 2020 Connections between Jews and Arabs are happening in the workplace," Sakov says, "but in academia we don't see it enough.

Coller Teams Start Up Despite COVID-19 Student Teams Win $100,000 Each in Coller School Venture Funding

Even under this year’s extenuating circumstances, TAU's Coller School more confident in my abilities, like of Management held its annual Start-up Competition, with 10 out of 70 how to actually build a start-up –it's diverse teams reaching the final stage. just priceless." He now plans to start The teams competed in two categories, food and technology. The winner his own company, based on the of the Food-Tech track was Remilk, a start-up formed in the jumpTAU values he was raised on: to provide an Jewish-Arab accelerator program that uses biotechnology to produce dairy egalitarian and empowering products without animal products. The first place winner in the Technology work environment and Entrepreneurship category was X-trodes Ltd., an Israeli biotechnology for disadvantaged start-up that develops a wearable, wireless technology for brain-wave groups within monitoring. the Arab The winning team in each category received an investment of $100,000 community, from the Coller Foundation, and the runners-up received $25,000 from including fresh.fund, a university-focused venture capital fund launched in 2016. Arab women. The competition, established four years ago, is open to all TAU "Respecting students and alumni within 10 years of graduation, and aims to support each other entrepreneurs with exposure, professional guidance, and financial and working assistance. with each other "The competition demonstrates the values at the heart of TAU’s academic Lena Polevoi creates a feeling of ecosystem, which include supporting innovation, encouraging an tolerance," said Watted. entrepreneurial spirit, fostering diverse talents, and instilling managerial By the program's end, two out of tenacity so as to maximize the chances of success," says Prof. Moshe Zviran, eight teams had raised investment Dean of the Coller School of Management. funding for their start-ups to continue The finalists pitched their start-ups live to a panel of over 30 international beyond the accelerator. Yet, to Sakov, and Israeli judges via Zoom. securing funding is but "the icing on the cake." "Professional collaboration is where humanity begins," concludes Sakov. "When you work with someone, you trust them. All of a sudden, the label that says Jewish or Arab disappears, and you see the person behind it." The X-trodes team

BIG IDEAS BIG

I chose academia because I wanted the gates of Jewish learning to open for me.

12 TAU REVIEW | 2020 Opening Gates and Scaling Mountains: The TAU Women Breaking Convention in the Jewish World

By Lisa Kremer

Four scholars bring powerful young girl, captivated by her A family’s lively Talmud discussion perspectives to Jewish around the Shabbat table, is prohibited from studying Talmud at studies, ancient history, school. A frightened girl squeezes her eyes shut as she dunks her body political psychology, and into the ritual bath so that she will gender studies be officially recognized as Jewish. A Hassidic high school teacher steals into university lectures and does not tell a soul when she enrolls in a master’s program. A young ultra- Orthodox (Haredi) woman interviews heads of state, writing under a male byline for her political column in a Haredi newspaper, just happy to be published. These seminal experiences, combined with relentless intellectual curiosity, drive TAU’s Prof. Vered Noam, MA student Daria Tass, Senior Lecturer Dr. Nechumi Yaffe, and PhD candidate Estee Rieder-Indursky to achieve academic fulfillment. They come from different backgrounds and places. Yet, their common ability to overcome the frameworks that might limit them; to break convention; and to forge new academic perspectives led them to find a home at TAU.

BIG IDEAS BIG Opening Gates of Jewish Learning Prof. Vered Noam, outgoing Head of TAU’s Chaim Rosenberg School of Jewish Studies and Archaeology, was awarded the 2020 Israel Prize in Talmudic research—the first woman to be recognized in this subject that women have traditionally been

prohibited from studying. “In my family Schwartz Photo: Muki the Talmud [rabbinic discourse on Jewish law and tradition] was a living, Prof. Vered Noam breathing part of the atmosphere. It was a way that people I loved connected with one another, and I wanted to participate. But the beit Noam believes her first love, A Talmudic Tale about midrash, the Jewish study hall, was the Talmud, encapsulates an Continuity and Change closed to girls. I chose academia open approach to Jewish texts because I wanted the gates of Jewish and tradition. Similarly, she insists Moses ascends Mount Sinai, but learning to open for me, and I knew that her accomplishments should God is not ready: He is adorning they wouldn’t in a traditional way.” not be appraised from a gender- the Torah’s Hebrew letters with Noam’s scholarly work on rabbinic centered perspective; the Talmud crowns for Rabbi Akiva, who will and Second Temple literature and should belong to everyone. “Male be born generations later and the early halachic period is renowned scholars are free to speak of their interpret the Torah through his in academic circles worldwide, research without referring to their understanding of these crowns. yet the Israel Prize committee also gender all the time.” Moses wishes to meet this great noted her tireless efforts to unlock “Talmud is a charming world rabbi, so God directs him to Talmudic literature for all Israelis. brimming with color, humor, and “walk backwards” into the future. For example, she created a virtual logic. It grants freedom to create Moses finds himself in a study beit midrash—the “Yomi” Facebook bold new ideas and a discussion hall. Disoriented, he doesn't group—where learners from different linking generations across time and understand a word of Rabbi Akiva’s backgrounds discuss a daily Talmudic place”, she concludes. teachings, but his ears perk up and page in a friendly and non-hierarchical he settles in comfortably when atmosphere. The Personal Is Powerful Rabbi Akiva says, “This is Halacha Her inclusive vision has been Daria Tass is a recent graduate of from Moses of Sinai.” colored by her many years at TAU’s TAU’s Ofakim program. Tass’s family Entin Faculty of Humanities. She immigrated to Israel when she was “Moses represents written explains: “I am happy that I teach four years old. Like many post- Torah, and Rabbi Akiva oral Torah, at the most Israeli university—with Soviet Jews, she had to undergo a or Talmud,” explains Prof. Vered students from across the spectrum conversion process. Noam. “This tale shows that Jewish of the population—at the center of “I never had a place to process culture has the freedom to change, Israeli life.” She is particularly proud being Russian in Israel—the and the courage to admit change of Ofakim, the Rosenberg School’s emotions you feel when you is possible when continuity and program that trains outstanding hear you are not Jewish enough, ancient texts are honored.” students to teach Jewish culture not Israeli enough. My mother in secular high schools, which was decided for me to go through the founded and supported by the conversion process… To protect Posen Foundation. “Ofakim alumni a collective identity, we do need are leaders in Jewish philosophy guard posts and gateways, but the education, presenting high-level process was hurtful and in no way Jewish studies in a pluralistic way.” spiritual. I was so terrified standing

14 TAU REVIEW | 2020 this knowledge can change their The Essence of Human Dynamics professional decision-making and Senior Lecturer Dr. Nechumi Yaffe make a real difference.” gazes out her window at TAU’s Growing up on her father’s coattails Department of Public Policy and on the men’s side of the synagogue, feels thankful. Yaffe is the first Haredi she was often told that she would woman on a tenure-track at an have made a great rabbi if she were Israeli university and, for her, the a boy. Yet finding an outlet for her green academic village reflects the intellectual curiosity was challenging. possibilities before her. As a history teacher armed with a BA, Yaffe studies poverty in the Haredi she was tasked with rewriting the Daria Tass community, and “how psychological curriculum and textbook for Haredi mechanisms, social norms, and high schools in Israel. To do so, she rabbinic authority play a role in accessed the National Library on in the mikveh—the purifying ritual creating and perpetuating poverty.” the Hebrew University campus in bath.” Tass continues, “Ofakim helped Yaffe seeks to give her MA students, Jerusalem. “I saw students studying, me understand my connection to read fliers about courses and lectures, Judaism, and realize I could and should and knew I had to become part of talk about these things. I can use my what was happening—I even snuck personal Jewish history to reach out into classes,” she laughs. Yaffe chose to secular students and communicate an interdisciplinary degree to grant Jewish culture in a way that will speak her broad knowledge. to them.” Tass’s feelings reflect the She began MA studies in experiences of many Jews from the conflict resolution without telling former USSR, who were persecuted for anyone—including her husband, being Jewish in their birth countries, who was surprised to find a and then upon arrival in Israel were tuition receipt in the mail. “I didn’t not considered Jewish. know political psychology existed,” Starting this academic year, Tass will Yaffe says. “But I was interested in be teaching at a Tel Aviv high school group dynamics and power structures, and continuing at TAU as a master’s Dr. Nechumi Yaffe something I became aware of as student in ancient history, specializing a child when my parents divorced in Persia. While both of her parents who come to TAU’s Gordon Faculty of and my siblings and I dealt with the and her grandmother hold master’s Social Sciences with strong opinions reaction of the community and our degrees, having grown up as a new formed by years in public and private school. We were judged for something immigrant in a periphery town, Tass sectors, “a completely different we had not done, and we knew that does not take her career in academia narrative for thinking about poverty, was wrong.” for granted. Similarly, her choice of and how it interacts with psychology, After earning an MA and PhD at topic for graduate research comes sociology and public policy.” Hebrew University, Yaffe moved her from a personal place. “I am interested Yaffe continues, “My students had family to Brooklyn, New York, for her in purity as a concept in ancient times. to swallow hard when they saw post-doc at Princeton University. There, Obviously, my research connects to me—I mean I wear a sheitel [wig, for she worked at the research center my experience of being regarded modesty]. Many hold assumptions of Nobel Prize winner Prof. Daniel as somehow unclean or not Jewish about the poor as being unmotivated Kahneman, together with Eldar Shafir, enough, as well as my experience as and lacking character, making bad the center’s director, and MacArthur a woman, the idea of the mikveh, and decisions, and leading unbalanced Prize Winner Betsy Levy Paluck—both aspects of purity relating to women. lifestyles. Yet those living in poverty of whom she continues to collaborate Female historians bring a different are trapped by social structures. with today. perspective to the study of history; And so I present how the burden of Transitioning her family back to it’s not just about chronicling famous change should fall on social systems, Jerusalem, she found her daughter battles. I have been inspired by both rather than on the individual. I have in a similar position to hers after her men and women scholars at TAU, but not had one class end on time, as my parents’ divorce: a persona non grata in the women, I can see my future self.” students ask question after question. due to Yaffe’s occupation. “People They hold leadership positions, and

in the community are nicer than to question that—I was happy to Her MA thesis on Haredi women and anticipated about my career,” Yaffe be working, published, and able to political activity was published in an continues, “but the system is meaner. It support my son. award-winning Hebrew book, Invisible took a long time to find a good school “Growing up, I had a public Women. The book—and her unique BIG IDEAS BIG that would accept my daughter.” library card, which was rare in our perspective in Israeli academia— Yaffe has tirelessly pursued what community. I was a voracious reader, made waves. In addition, former she wants—to expand her intellectual which I guess taught me to write. TAU President Joseph Klafter advised universe and remain within the folds Later, when I interviewed academic with her on integrating Haredim into of her community. These two desires experts for work, I loved visiting academia. Now, alongside her doctoral may seem at odds, but Nechumi Yaffe campuses and would come early and research, she teaches two TAU courses, insists she is simply being herself: leave late just to soak it all in,” says “Media, Activism, and Multiculturalism A Hassidic woman with intense Rieder-Indursky. After she was granted through a Feminist Prism” and “Women curiosity and intellectual ability. “It is a divorce, she remarried at age 38 in Politics—The Personal Is Political.” not a contradiction for me to be in and began undergraduate studies in “Students have told me that my academia,” she explains. “Hassidism government at IDC–Herzliya. “I was courses transform the way they think looks at the essence, the inner reason debating about the Haredi community and speak,” Rieder-Indursky says. “If you for why things happen. My scientific with a professor and he said, ‘If you had told me 20 years ago that I would work discovering the essence of want to be taken seriously, you need be pursuing a PhD and teaching at human dynamics is another form of a doctorate.’ And I thought to myself, Tel Aviv University, I could never have Hassidism.” ‘Okay, I am going to be you.’” And she believed it. Back then academia was a meant it. beautiful mountain that I never knew I Scaling the Beautiful Mountain At around the same time, she would have the chance to climb.” of Academia experienced a feminist awakening Estee Rieder-Indursky is when she was invited to completing a PhD in a meeting of Haredi the Gender Studies women in a Bnei Brak Program at the basement. “We shared Porter School of our experiences. I Cultural Studies, listened to myself Entin Faculty tell my story, and I of Humanities. listened to others’ She is the stories about 2020 recipient being a wife, a of the Dan mother, a woman David Prize for in our community. Doctoral Students By the time I climbed for her research Estee Rieder-Indursky the steps out of that on discourses of Haredi basement, I was a feminist. women who study the Talmud. "I am interested in uncovering “As a Haredi woman, I never the theoretical structure of Haredi considered that women would learn feminism. I want to give voice to Talmud," says Rieder-Indursky. “Now, women who have not been heard I have interviewed over 30 for my from before in academic research." She research.” In fact, many things have is a board member of Itach Maaci– come to pass that she could not have Women Lawyers for Social Justice, imagined earlier in her life. and took part in the No Voice, No Vote Rieder-Indursky married in her early campaign—a political movement for twenties and quickly separated, a Haredi women’s representation. She young son in tow. She worked as a was an active member of a coalition journalist, “interviewing experts and that petitioned the Supreme Court heads of state and writing about and, in 2018, achieved a historic politics for Haredi newspapers under correction: Haredi political parties can a male byline, because it is a ‘men’s no longer bar women from their ranks subject.’ It didn’t even occur to me de jure.

16 TAU REVIEW | 2020

BIG IDEAS on mobile phone sensors which measure step counts, sleeping habits and other parameters. Think Viral, Tweet Viral Before joining TAU, Yamin completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Yale University's School of Public Health. While there, he was disturbed by the level of anti-Israel sentiment on American social networks and its ability to go viral. Based on the same patterns he studied in disease transmission, Yamin began creating a system that uses artificial intelligence to identify how certain groups use viral marketing tactics to spread anti-Semitic and anti- Israel messages. Yamin explains that people who TAU Researcher Fights Epidemics retweet posts casually are much like asymptomatic disease carriers. Many Twitter users will pass on information Both Viral and Virtual with covert or explicit anti-Semitic messages unintentionally. Dan Yamin can detect any kind of contagious outbreak Choosing when to respond on social media is a delicate matter. Hence, By Rafael Ben-Menashe Yamin suggests using AI to assist with Analytics, Yamin developed a tool for the decision-making process. “Being AU’s Dr. Dan Yamin has developed predicting transmission dynamics proactively pro-Israel on social media Ta data tracking system applicable based on people’s movements tracked is not always the best approach,” says both to infectious diseases like on their mobile phones. Yamin. “Most anti-Israel tweets are not coronavirus and to anti-Israel bias on When COVID-19 first broke in Israel, viral, so why waste time on tweets that social media. He cites human behavior Yamin consulted for Israel’s Health won’t go anywhere?” as a key factor in the transmission of Ministry, predicting local outbreaks both. with this phone data system. Next Generation of Disease Control Yamin, who heads the Lab for “The tool is not only helpful for Looking ahead, Yamin believes Epidemic Modeling and Analysis local detection of the virus but also data-based methodologies like his at TAU's Fleischman Faculty of for creating simulations of the virus's will be crucial for managing future Engineering, says that his approach spread, telling us what will happen if viral diseases. As such, he will be a key is based on what traditional one policy is replaced with another,” he member of TAU’s multidisciplinary epidemiology lacks—data on human says. Center for Combating Pandemics, the behavior. Additionally, Yamin found that first center of its kind in the world. “At the core of any transmission targeted lockdowns for high-risk “Data systems such as this one can process lies contact mixing patterns,” groups and localized infection clusters substantially improve the accuracy explains Yamin. “These patterns are up to 5 times more efficient in of medical diagnosis in the future,” he represent the social interactions of reducing mortality as opposed to a says. individuals,” and, when it comes to the nationwide lockdown strategy. This spread of diseases, “whoever doesn’t finding led the Israeli government to consider these elements misses the adopt a targeted approach as opposed point.” to general lockdown. Together with Prof. Irad Ben-Gal, Now, months later, Yamin and his head of TAU’s Laboratory of AI, team are developing a tool for early Machine Learning, Business & Data detection of COVID-19 infection based

Enemies: TLV PERSPECTIVES TLV A Love Story Synagogue worshippers Isfahan TAU's Alliance Center for Iranian Studies is a world authority on Iran and its Jews

By Melanie Takefman

ven though they have been Eenemies in official channels for decades, Iranians and Israelis have a mutual fascination with each other. "Young Iranians are very intrigued by Israelis and are eager to contact them through social media," says Dr. Liora Hendelman-Baavur, the new Director of TAU's Alliance Center for Iranian Studies and a historian of Iranian women and media in the 20th century. "They want to know what is beyond the image of the ‘Zionist enemy’ as presented by Iranian sources." In parallel, the popularity of Tehran, a critically-acclaimed TV series about a Mossad agent in Iran, attests to Continued on page 20 Jewish cemetery Pir Khaneh

18 TAU REVIEW | 2020 Jewish cemetery Isfahan

A Captivating Glimpse of a Trapped Minority rominent Iranian photographer, filmmaker Pand TV producer Hasan Sarbakhshian started documenting Iran's Jewish community at the start of this century, when his wife discovered she had Jewish roots. As they dug deeper into this intriguing group which lives under a radical Muslim regime, the couple suspected they were being followed by the authorities. Sarbakhshian and his family fled Iran and now live in Prague. The result of Sarbakhshian’s work is a beautiful and haunting

Yousefabad synagogue Yousefabad Tehran photo collection. A corresponding exhibit entitled "Trapped Minority" was planned at TAU in honor of the 15th anniversary of the University's Alliance Center for Iranian Studies, but was postponed because of COVID-19. In the meantime, a sampling of the exhibit is featured on these pages. All photos Jewish women celebrate Sukkot appearing here were taken in 2007-2008. Tehran

19 Enemies: the complex perception of Iran in Flourishing Center A Love Story Israel; Israelis view Iran as a threat but Founded in 2005, the Center was the many are also nostalgic for the good vision of TAU governor and honorary relations the two countries enjoyed doctor Lord David Alliance of the UK until 1979. as well as David and Laura Merage of At TAU, this interest goes beyond the USA and TAU Prof. Emeritus David curiosity. Now, in its 15th year, TAU's Menashri. United in their fondness for Alliance Center is the region's leading their birth land's language, culture and TLV PERSPECTIVES TLV hub for academic research on Iran history, they dreamt of establishing outside of Iran itself. With the Iranian- a center that would generate new Israeli conflict constantly in the news, insights into Iran. the Center is more relevant than ever. Fifteen years later, their vision has No group encapsulates the become a reality. precariousness of this relationship The Center has cultivated a more than Iran’s 20,000-member generation of Iran scholars who work Dr. Liora Hendelman-Baavur Jewish community, says Hendelman- in think tanks, major media, diplomacy, Baavur. Recent Iranian legislation security institutions and other related enshrined its boycott of Israel and fields. Hendelman-Baavur and her The Center also publishes the underscored local Jews' status as a colleagues Prof. Meir Litvak (former ACIS Iran-Pulse, a digital newsletter minority at risk. The law even makes it director of the Center) and Dr. Miriam regularly cited by top international illegal for Iranians to meet with Israelis, Nissimov are highly sought-after organizations. a hard blow to Iranian Jews who until experts in international academic The unusual situation of being an now could meet Israeli relatives in a forums. The Center has published expert on a place she has never visited third country. and co-sponsored 20 books and and probably never will doesn't faze Because Iranian Jews are a main has hosted dozens of conferences, Hendelman-Baavur. On the contrary, focus of the Alliance Center's research, workshops and other events in its she says it has made her a more a photo exhibit documenting the short existence. Moreover, it has thorough scholar. She often checks community entitled "Trapped become a keeper of Iranian Jewish multiple sources and cross-references Minority" was planned to celebrate the heritage under the auspices of the information. Because she cannot Center's 15th anniversary. Although Habib Levy Program for Iranian Jewish contact her Iranian colleagues, she the exhibit was postponed indefinitely History and its sizable archive as well has developed a robust network of due to COVID-19, some of the photos as the Program for the Study of Iranian Iran scholars around the world with by Iranian exile Hasan Sarbakhshian Jews in Israel under the auspices of the whom she can collaborate. She follows are published exclusively here. Iranian American Jewish Federation of Iranian Twitter and Telegram feeds New York. and Persian-language news apps religiously. The Center also attracts international students from the region and beyond, including the United States and Turkey. This, Hendelman-Baavur says, is proof of its continuing relevance. Looking forward, she sees TAU strengthening its role as a global authority on Iran's modern history and Iranian Jewry, specifically because of this unique perspective.

Jewish Iranians demonstrate in support of Gaza in 2008 Tehran

20 TAU REVIEW | 2020

TLV PERSPECTIVES

Seeing Light in Unexpected Places For Glaser Scholar Lea Tamanyo, making positive

By Melanie Takefman change starts with helping individuals

AU graduate student Lea Tamanyo time at the same facility, alongside background or social identity, is a Tisn't afraid of challenges; she’s had graduate studies at TAU. guiding principle for her. to overcome many herself, both in her personal life and academic career. Overcoming Adversity Personal Goals, National Impact For example, as an undergraduate Tamanyo herself, the seventh "Lea is a very talented, ambitious and student in social work, she chose to of eight children, is no stranger to forward-looking young woman," says gain practical experience in one of the adversity. Her parents immigrated Doron Kochavi, TAU Governor, who, most difficult and complex subfields— to Israel in 1991 from Ethiopia. She with his wife, fellow TAU Governor mental health. As she enters her says that it was difficult for them to Tammy Glaser Kochavi, selected second year of a master's degree at learn Hebrew, acclimate to the Israeli Tamanyo as one of the recipients TAU's Bob Shapell School of Social mentality, and earn a living. of the Herbert and Sharon Glaser Work, Tamanyo realizes that this field, "We studied by the skin of our teeth," Foundation Scholarship. "We believe despite its complexities, is her calling. says Tamanyo. "Our parents couldn't that the way to create positive change Even before becoming a social help us with schoolwork, and there in this country is to support individuals worker, Tamanyo, a recipient of the was no money for private tutors or like Lea who want to strengthen it. In Herbert and Sharon Glaser Foundation extra-curricular courses. I learned how this respect, social workers play a vital Scholarship, worked at an assisted to be self-reliant and teach myself." role because they help the weakest living facility for men who suffer Despite her parents' modest means, members of society." from mental illnesses. Many of them they instilled in their children a strong "I am grateful to the Herbert and have had particularly difficult lives. sense of purpose, perseverance, and Sharon Glaser Foundation, and the At first, it wasn't easy, she says, but the value of education. Kochavi family for my scholarship slowly she became absorbed in their Tamanyo says her parents because it frees me from financial stories. She developed especially encountered ignorance about their worries and allows me to focus on my strong relationships with three of her culture. "Sometimes, it's a lack of studies," says Tamanyo. "Especially now clients. "I quickly understood that their awareness, not something intentional... in the coronavirus era, it is diseases don't define them. They have At the end of the day, we are all truly a blessing." so much more to them than that. immigrants, and we have to accept "I was drawn by the fact that I could the other. Everyone brings with them a be the one to make a positive change, different color." that I could help them lead their best Although Tamanyo herself hasn't lives. I felt like I had reached the right encountered the difficulties her place," she says. "The work fulfills me parents did, it's clear that their and gratifies me immensely." experiences have shaped her identity Now, armed with an undergraduate and professional path. Seeing the Doron Kochavi and Tammy degree in social work, she works part- best in every person, beyond their Glaser Kochavi

21 Rosalie and Harold Rae Brown Core Cancer Research GLOBAL Facility Supports Critical Studies The field of cancer research at TAU received an additional CAMPAIGN boost with the establishment of the Brown Core Cancer Research Facility. Thanks to the generosity of the Rosalie and Harold Rae Brown Charitable Foundation, the Facility will ensure that TAU cancer specialists have access to state-of-the-art equipment to accelerate their research. The facility will comprise refurbished labs and equipment of vital importance to cancer research.

Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Recent Shmunis School achievements: Research • The Gershoni Lab was awarded a US patent for a Solidifying Israel’s novel vaccine against the coronavirus Vlad and Sana Shmunis Leadership in Battling • The Stern Lab’s genetic sequencing of the Disease coronavirus tracked the spread of COVID-19 in Israel • The Ehrlich Lab is developing virus-based el Aviv University inaugurated the Shmunis School of immunotherapies for cancer Biomedicine and Cancer Research, in the presence of T • The Lederkremer Lab developed a therapeutic Israel’s Minister of Science and Technology Izhar Shay and approach for Huntington’s disease, for which no benefactors and TAU Governors Vlad and Sana Shmunis, treatment exists online, via RingCentral. The new School, part of the George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, will enable a leap in biomedical research. The School's 300 researchers, students and staff in the fields of cancer research, cancer immunity, bioinformatics, microbiology, biotechnology and more will work to Taube-Koret Global Collaboration identify mechanisms that drive cancer and other diseases. Moreover, they will develop new pharmaceuticals and TAU Partners with Bay Area Foundations improve patients' quality of life. on Neurodegenerative Diseases "In supporting biomedicine and cancer research at TAU, my wife Sana and I firmly believe that we have found an y 2050, an estimated 140 million people worldwide are ideal partner to move the needle towards curing cancer Bexpected to contract neurodegenerative and other terrible diseases," said Vlad Shumnis, founder diseases, including Huntington's and CEO of RingCentral Inc. "Cancer is a disease that disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s has unfortunately touched our family and far too many and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis other families around the world. We hope that our gift (ALS). None are curable and to TAU will solidify Israel’s place as a leader in molecular major pharma companies have biomedicine and cancer research … and improve the lives drastically minimized drug of people in Israel and around the world.” development in the field due to The new partnership will enable the University to low success rates. recruit the finest researchers, award the annual Shmunis Now, with the support of Fellowships to exceptional PhD students, collaborate the Koret Foundation and Taube with leading academic institutions, host Shmunis Visiting Philanthropies, Tel Aviv University Scholars, organize conferences and more. researchers have embarked on a "I am grateful to the Shmunis family for their important groundbreaking collaboration with top Bay and generous gift," said Prof. Ariel Porat, President of Area institutions to understand and find therapies for Tel Aviv University. "Meeting high standards of other these diseases. Photo: renowned centers for cancer research around the globe, Anchoring the partnership is the Koret Foundation, a the School will be a hub for the brightest Israeli and Jewish philanthropic organization based in San Francisco Noam Wind international researchers to join as faculty.” which supports education, the arts, and the Jewish

22 TAU REVIEW | 2020 community. Koret has directed $2.5 million to TAU researchers. Simultaneously, Taube Philanthropies has directed the same amount to a group led by Stanford University. The Taube-Koret Global Collaboration in Neurodegenerative Diseases was the brainchild of Tad Taube, Chairman of Taube Philanthropies and President Emeritus of the Koret Foundation, who sought to initiate research cooperation in the field between TAU and Bay Area institutions. The partnership was launched with a symposium held COVID-19 Emergency Student Aid Campaign at TAU in January 2020. The goal of the collaboration is expanding brain research while strengthening US-Israel Helping Students Who Need It Most academic ties. The partner institutions are Stanford, the Gladstone Institute at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), and the Buck Institute—a biomedical research institute specializing in aging. Stanford University pediatric oncologist Dr. Harvey Cohen’s involvement was key in making the Collaboration possible, which he directs from the Bay Area side. Dr. Anita Friedman, TAU’s Global Campaign Co-chair and President of the Koret Foundation, was approached by Taube to support the TAU component. Research conducted during the five-year initiative aims to characterize biomarkers to identify patients at risk of contracting neurodegenerative diseases and to test new drugs. Now, the researchers are advancing new strategies for drug development and creating personalized platforms for diagnosis and drug screening. The ability to exchange adult stem cells derived from patients in both the US and Israel makes this research Sofi Winitz unique and effective, according to Prof. Karen Avraham, Vice Dean of the Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Taube- he economic crisis resulting from the coronavirus Koret Collaboration Steering Committee member. Tpandemic hit TAU students hard. About 70% of Prof. Uri Ashery, outgoing Head of the Sagol School of them work to support themselves during their studies, Neuroscience and a researcher in the Collaboration, says but thousands lost their jobs due to recent lockdowns that thanks to the Collaboration, they can apply new and layoffs. As a result, many are at risk for dropping drugs and treatments to these harvested stem cells—an out altogether. Others, often from the most vulnerable important advance. groups, are suffering crippling anxiety and depression arising from the pandemic. Thanks in great part to the generosity of our donors, the University urgently awarded scholarships and psychological counseling grants to 2,200 students, and expects an additional 1,400 to be eligible for aid in the near future. Sofi Winitz, a theater student who immigrated to Israel from Russia alone as a teenager, received an emergency grant after she lost her job. She said she was grateful to the University for supporting her in this time of need and enabling her to “continue studying without worries.” The TAU leadership is intensifying efforts to provide aid to all students affected by the coronavirus crisis so that not even one will miss out on an academic education.

23 Coller-Menmon Animal Rights and Welfare Program TAU Establishes Israel’s First Legal Framework for Animal Advocacy

t the onset of the ACOVID-19 pandemic, TAU law students and staff played a critical role in the protection of animal rights as part of the Coller-Menmon Animal Rights and Welfare Program. They successfully advocated pro bono to ensure that animal An animal refuge served by the Ukrainian Jewry Research Initiative care was considered an "essential Coller-Menmon Program profession," thereby ensuring Unearthing Treasures of Jewish History that animal sanctuaries and rescue organizations could continue to provide food and medicine to their charges wo Eastern European Jewish during lockdown. Torganizations have established Jointly funded by Jeremy Coller of the Coller Foundation the Ukrainian Jewry Research and Israeli company Menmon Ltd., the Program was Initiative at TAU, the first to launched in 2018 at TAU’s Buchmann Faculty of Law with study the unique history of this a single academic course. The same year, the prominent community. legal clinic for environmental justice expanded its scope to "Studying the Ukrainian address animal rights issues. Jewish community in its own Today, the Program includes two academic courses, right is a groundbreaking research fellowships and grants, conferences, the Coller- endeavor," said Dr. Michael Menmon Chair, and the Environmental Justice and Mirilashvili and Mr. Boris Lozhkin, Protection of Animals Rights Legal Clinic. The Clinic Presidents of the Euro-Asian Jewish conducts research, informs policy-makers, litigates, and Congress and the Jewish Confederation provides legal aid to NGOs and activists. of Ukraine, respectively. "We chose TAU because of its "Bringing together research, education, and legal aid reputation for innovation and out-of-the-box thinking." under one roof is essential in promoting animal rights The Initiative, which will be carried out by the Goldstein- and welfare," says Program Coordinator Attorney Amnon Goren Diaspora Research Center in the Entin Faculty of Keren. Humanities, will focus on Ukrainian Jewish history from Keren says that the Buchmann Faculty of Law aims to ancient times until the present. Researchers will rely on expand the Program into an interdisciplinary research archival documents, periodicals and more. center in the coming years. In the meantime, thanks to "The Initiative is a welcome addition to the mosaic of increased support from the founding donors, two post- Jewish studies, and we are grateful to the organizations doctoral fellows in anthropology will join the Program for for their vision and generosity. Although almost all of the the 2020-2021 academic year. major movements of eastern European Jewish history took place in Ukraine, it was always subsumed as part of 'Soviet Jewry,'" says Prof. Simha Goldin, Director of the Goldstein- Goren Center. "The time has come to study the distinctive characteristics of the Ukrainian Jewish community."

24 TAU REVIEW | 2020

CHANGE-MAKERS “A Scientific Discovery Can Never Be Undone”

Change-Maker Yuri Milner talks to the TAU Review about why he supports TAU and Israel

Yuri and Julia Milner

By Ruti Ziv

theoretical physicist turned tech investor and Breakthrough Listen, which addresses the the essential A philanthropist, Russian-Israeli Yuri Milner was a question, "Are we alone in the universe?" prescient early backer of Facebook and Twitter, and later of other successful companies. In the past decade, he and his If a message from aliens reached Earth, wife, Julia, have focused on diverse philanthropic initiatives, how would you respond? among them the Breakthrough Prize Foundation, which supports the Breakthrough Prizes—the "Oscars of I think the only currency and the only sensible exchange Science"—and the "70 for 70 Doctoral Fellowship Initiative" between two civilizations that are separated by thousands allocated to TAU and other Israeli universities on the of light years or more must involve asking something that occasion of Israel’s 70th birthday in 2018. The Milners also is really essential. So I would answer them with a question, contributed major emergency funding to TAU and other “What do you know about the origins of our universe?" Israeli institutions at the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. and compare our answers to see if they’re more advanced TAU Review’s Ruti Ziv spoke to Mr. Milner about his than us. connection with TAU and Israel, his lifelong interest in science and technology, and his big idea—that scientists You are greatly devoted to the Breakthrough Prize should be treated like celebrities. and other Breakthrough initiatives. Why?

What is your first science-related memory? Science is not appreciated enough. You would think if My parents named me after cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, this is our main currency, we’d invest more in it. But we who became the first man to be sent into space that same don’t. Essentially everything that we are thankful for from year. My first real memory of science is a book I read as our predecessors is based on science and technology, for a child about the possibility of other civilizations in our example improved life expectancy, standards of living and universe. Decades later, I co-launched an initiative called economic progress.

due to the COVID-19 crisis, I think science is one of those elements that brings us all together. What lies behind your idea that scientists should be A relatively small nation like compensated like celebrities? Israel with limited natural In today’s world, recognition is based CHANGE-MAKERS resources really has only on either celebrity status or financial one path—applying its wealth. Few people are celebrated intellectual potential to the for their intellectual achievements. What the Breakthrough Prize is problems of the world. trying to achieve is to bring about a more balanced world whereby intellectual achievement will be Do you view TAU as a breakthrough celebrated at least on par with other university? achievements, and where scientists will receive the recognition they TAU is known around the world, not just Milner at a TAU event deserve. We thought that celebrating in Israel. I think it is definitely one of the most the most brilliant minds could maybe preeminent global institutions, and I think that the inspire kids interested in science to pursue an contributions of TAU are numerous and distinguished. academic career. Although we work with other scientific partners in Israel, we selected TAU as a prestigious partner and an What advice would you give to young Israeli scientists administrator of some of our activities. who dream of changing the world? When the coronavirus crisis hit, we committed major funding toward COVID-19 research at TAU labs, alongside Although I tried for a number of years to do this myself, contributions to Magen David Adom and Ichilov Hospital I wasn’t too successful. My advice would be contrary [Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center], as well as a shipment to my own experience—try to focus on fundamental of one million vitally-needed face masks for those essential science. If you put your name on a building, that building workers who continued to go to work every day during will not survive over hundreds of years. But if you make a the pandemic. In this case, we asked TAU to advise us on scientific discovery, this is something that cannot ever be what would be the proper way to contribute. And their undone. In a thousand years from now, Einstein will still advice was very, very helpful to enable us to very quickly— be remembered for his theory of general relativity, while and speed was critical in this situation—identify the most many other great men will be forgotten. So if you really efficient ways to support Israel in a difficult situation. want to leave a lasting legacy for our civilization, the only sure way is through fundamental science and making You marked Israel’s 70th anniversary with a focus on discoveries. science—you established a major doctoral I envy people who choose basic science as their fellowship fund and produced the "70 & 70" list occupation. Not being able to make a contribution myself, I am trying to focus our foundation on supporting those recognizing Israel’s greatest scientists with the who can. Washington Post and Ha’aretz. What was your goal in doing so? Tell us about your connection to Israel and making Aliyah. Israel is already famous for its science and technology, but I thought that its international reputation could be I became an Israeli citizen over 20 years ago. This was further enhanced by these initiatives. A relatively small really an important calling for me because, growing up in nation like Israel with limited natural resources really has the Soviet Union, I had limited ability to connect with my only one path—applying its intellectual potential to the heritage and ancestors in a meaningful way. As soon as it problems of the world. was possible, I decided to become an Israeli citizen and, to We must also recognize that science is global and the extent possible, to contribute to the State of Israel. universal. It is one of the few fabrics that connects the world and brings us all together. Especially in the world now, when people are feeling separated from each other

26 TAU REVIEW | 2020 CHANGE-MAKERS New Mandel Center Fosters Well-Rounded STEM Graduates Expansion of humanities offerings ushers in new era in Israeli academia

By Rafael Ben-Menashe

eginning in the 2021-2022 Bacademic year, 1,500 incoming undergraduate students in engineering, exact sciences and life sciences will encounter a new opportunity in their studies: They will be able to take humanities courses as part of their regular degree requirements. The force behind this move—a first in Israel—is the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Center for Humanities in STEM at TAU. Enrolment in the humanities Michal Levin and Amit Alkoni has fallen steadily worldwide. The number of humanities students at TAU dropped from 2,600 in 2003 to 1,600 in 2018, a reduction of 38% over 15 years. In response, the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation, under the leadership of the late Morton L. Welcoming Uncertainty ultimately acquired through studying Mandel, founded the Program for Students enrolled in Mandel Center- humanities.” Humanities in Engineering at TAU in sponsored humanities courses say Shortly before his death in 2019, 2016. New on the Israeli academic they provide a break from the more Morton Mandel, entrepreneur and landscape, the Program allowed a regimented styles of thinking in STEM lifelong Israel supporter, received a group of 25 honors students to add a subjects. TAU honorary doctorate. sizeable humanities module to their “In the sciences, we fear questions “The Mandel Foundation’s engineering studies. After a successful that don’t have definitive answers,” says generosity has enabled TAU to pilot, the Program was expanded to Michal Levin, 4th-year engineering rejuvenate the humanities, ensuring include outstanding exact sciences student. “In the humanities, we are that TAU students benefit from this and life sciences students as well. taught to embrace those types of crucial school of thought, which in The newest Mandel expansion will questions.” turn benefits Israeli society as a whole,” extend humanities offerings to all Levin also points to the Mandel says TAU President Prof. Ariel Porat. incoming STEM students at TAU, with Scholarship she received as a Prof. Jehuda Reinharz, President a focus on courses that instill essential tremendous aid in her studies. “It and CEO of the Mandel Foundation, skills of humanistic thought such eliminated the stress of finding work adds: “Tel Aviv University is a pioneer as critical thinking, debate, creative and financing my life while studying.” in this far-sighted work across the writing, ethical analysis and more. Amit Alkoni, a 3rd-year engineering disciplines, and I am quite certain that “Students will take a refreshing jump student, says: “During my army service it will become a model for many other into a pool for the mind,” says Prof. in the Intelligence Corps, I saw how institutions in Israel and abroad." Yochai Oppenheimer, Academic Head effective evaluation of communication of the Mandel Center. and ethics could expand my professional horizons. These are tools I

TLV BLOG TLV Souvenirs of Sand and Sea A TAU International student shares her Tel Aviv experience

By Sugandh P. Ojha

t was thrilling to receive my Iacceptance letter from Tel Aviv University. As an International Relations graduate with an interest in global security, it was a dream-come- true moment. At 25 years old, with two years of work experience under my belt as a journalist in my native India, I saw it as a perfect plan: to explore an often misinterpreted country such as Israel. I already had a great impression of the country through articles I'd read and YouTube videos. Upon my arrival, I rented an Airbnb for my first few days with a classmate from the U.S. By chance, the owner had cousins from Russia visiting as well. My very first interaction in Israel

Continued on page 30

From top left, clockwise: Sugandh P. Ojha; Jerusalem's Old City; a market in Israel; Sugandh with friends at Millie Phillips Student City and in Tel Aviv Center; Sugandh with Fauda co-creator Lior Raz. All photos courtesy of the author.

28 TAU REVIEW | 2020 Jewish cemetery Isfahan

29 A TAU International

started with a conversation about These people of multiple identities student shares her Tel Aviv the World Wars, the reunification of are united by the strong emotion that experience Jewish families, and how these folks they belong in this country; I know this found each other later in life, each because of the many conversations TLV BLOG TLV assuming the others had died in World I’ve had with different Israelis. Even Mumbai and Delhi, the pollution War II. From that moment, I knew I members of the younger generation level is low. Electric scooters and was going to have an enriching global feel attached to this land and feel safer bicycles are very popular. The buses, experience in this country. here than anywhere else. trains and cabs are also excellent Israel hasn't disappointed me in that Tel Aviv is an amalgamation of old- modes of transport, and the country regard. world culture and next-gen lifestyle. is well-connected by an easy-to-use After a week, I moved into a You see traditions such as Shabbat— transportation network. beautiful studio apartment in the wherein Orthodox Jews refrain from Millie Phillips Student City complex using electricity and gadgets on on the TAU campus. Our welcome weekends—alongside modern session was organized by the TAU nightlife. Clubbing is a favorite International Student Life Team and Israeli pastime, for example. held at the Sarona Beer Garden – an My first semester courses absolutely breathtaking bar which included field trips which gave us epitomizes the Tel Aviv lifestyle. a comprehensive understanding Israel is where the Bible took place. of Israel’s culture, politics, Even if a person is not religious socioeconomic structure and (which I am not), it is a very mystical regional threats, as well as people, experience to live in a place that is food, and most important, wine a holy land for the three Abrahamic from the Golan Heights! From faiths. Beyond religion, Israel is a these experiences, I can attest melting pot of cultures where Jews that the best way to learn about a from over 80 countries made aliyah country is to visit places and live like a Living on campus, the Carmel to settle in their homeland, importing local. Market and the Jaffa Flea Market are their diverse traditions and recipes The most memorable experience I nearby, must-visit places to buy cheap with them. I see this diversity as I had was a Shabbat dinner at Israel's products and beautiful souvenirs; walk Tel Aviv's streets: I witness food first kibbutz, Deganya. The community these markets also have the best vendors serving different cuisines functions as a family. As I entered collection of mamash ta'im (truly including Syrian, European and the kibbutz's dining hall, the room delicious) spices and candies in town! Moroccan; people dressed in different felt like a museum, adorned with old Even if you are not buying anything, traditional styles wearing kippas and pictures showing the community's visiting these places on Fridays headscarves; and people of different establishment and its first inhabitants before Shabbat is a fun experience, nationalities speaking mostly in from more than 100 years ago. Israelis watching people singing and playing Hebrew. are very close to their history, and it instruments on the streets. was touching to hear the kibbutzniks What will I miss most about Israel? share their stories! The way people tahini and shawarma; hummus and welcomed me in the community lip-smacking Arabic desserts—knafeh made me feel at home; eating with to name one! Most of all, I'll miss the everyone at the same table full of amicable people, with whom you can countless dishes was a heart-melting talk in any situation, whether you are experience. The dining hall was a stuck in an elevator or enjoying the huge room with tables seating 20 beach—it doesn't matter if you know people each which means around them or not! 100 people can eat there at once. Sounds crazy during the COVID-19 era The author graduated with a master's right? I’m glad I could experience it degree from TAU International in 2020. I also often witness Arab and Jewish before the virus ruined the beauty of Israelis eating the same food at the togetherness. same place, which shows how they Israel is a very eco-friendly country. coexist in this tight-knit society. Compared to Indian cities such as

30 TAU REVIEW | 2020 Studio Dinitz

Meet Our Newest Ambassador Roohi to India India MSc Life Sciences

Every year thousands of students from over 100 countries discover TAU and return home as enthusiastic Goodwill Ambassadors. To date, this translates to 15,000+ global alumni, who take their energy and inspiration from TAU International back home to share among their community.

STUDY ABROAD | SHORT-TERM | UNDERGRADUATE | GRADUATE | PHD

www.international.tau.ac.il

ALUMNI Finding Humor in Imperfection

By Melanie Takefman TAU Review held a Zoom interview with well-known Israeli comedian, writer and TV and radio host Einav Galili, who earned her BA degree Photo: Shay Bachar in psychology and arts from TAU in 2001

olocaust jokes are a wonderful “Comedy is a way to expose our dark In Israel, “you must be radical to “Hthing,” says TAU alumna Einav side without anyone dying.” have a presence…People want short, Galili. “When you laugh at something, For decades, Galili has brought a extreme and click-baity. I often try to it doesn’t dishonor it; it’s another sharp, intellectual and hilariously wry give a fuller picture.” way of dealing with something voice to Israeli media. Yet, with her The same is true about the range of that’s impossible to deal with…the influence comes responsibility: Galili subjects she broaches on the morning Holocaust intrigues me and in that believes that she has a role to play radio show she co-hosts: from politics way it is totally mine to laugh about.” in shaping public discourse. “It’s part to the connection between koalas and By contrast, if a German told a of my job to extract topics from their human diseases. For Galili, comedic Holocaust joke, “I would shoot him,” conventional molds and clichés and and serious content need not be she says jokingly, maintaining her forge something more complex,” she separated. “The most interesting trademark poker face. says. people are those whose humor is

32 TAU REVIEW | 2020 laced with pain and whose pain is documentary about the anti-aging laced with humor. In the end, it’s all industry. discipline and the value of hard work, different layers of the same thing.” Galili is one of several well-known she says. If you put in the effort, you Yet, sometimes being funny comes at female comedians in Israel, but see results. a cost. women are still the minority in the Her studies also armed her with As a main panelist on one of the field. An avowed feminist, she says critical thinking skills—how to country’s longest- differentiate between reliable and running TV satires, unreliable information—an important State of the Nation The most interesting people are ability in the era of social media and (later renamed Back of those whose humor is laced with fake news. the Nation), Galili is no Galili recalls her time at TAU as stranger to controversy. pain and whose pain is laced enjoyable and enriching. She was “What we say with humor. completely immersed in her studies, makes people alongside “amazing” classmates and uncomfortable…..It’s inspiring professors. She remembers a program that’s a big headache to that she insists on having at least one Prof. Ina Weiner, a “fascinating” support and maintain. You have to female writer on the Back of professor who taught her withstand pressure and you receive the Nation team. What honors psychology, and angry phone calls.” separates her from her art historian Dr. Henry Still, she has never been censored. male counterparts, Unger, who “taught Photo: Adi Orni With governments around the world she says, are the me elementary terms cracking down on journalists and jokes she doesn’t about the arts world. limiting freedom of speech, she make. She will It was precisely doesn’t take that for granted and never make a joke enough to know what considers herself “spoiled” in this about a woman to look for.” respect. At the same time, she says being old or ugly or As an alumna, that viewers themselves often quash fat, she says. Galili is one of 85,000 serious programming. She will, however, members of the TAU “You come home in the evening. Life soliloquize about her Alumni Organization, which is is tough…it’s hard to make a living… children's hamsters, their proclivity for celebrating its fifth anniversary this You don’t have the energy for another reproduction, and what happened year under the direction of Sigalit burdensome investigation about when she had to eulogize one of two Ben Hayoun. The Organization’s goal violence against women. You want identical pets (she didn't know which is to leverage the influence of TAU Netflix!” she says. “I understand them.” one died). alumni as a positive force in Israeli Her various endeavors have given society and serve alumni through Exposing National Neuroses her insights into the human psyche. shared knowledge, networking and That being said, satire is “like the ”We live in a society preoccupied with opportunities. vital signs of a human body. If we perfection: We strive to look perfect, Upon receiving her BA, Galili don’t have it, it’s like declaring death.” to make a good impression, to portray completed the coursework for a Humor is especially important during ourselves as more than what we master’s degree in psychology, but crises such as the corona pandemic. are, more beautiful, younger, more never submitted a thesis. Even though “Sometimes humor can be divisive; confident, more successful in our she is happy with her career, she has one group laughs at another. But careers, taller, skinnier.” never stopped dreaming of returning when people laugh about a common To her, perfect is boring. It is exactly to TAU to complete her MA. experience such as corona, it brings in imperfection—“the defects and We hope she realizes that dream. people together.” the cracks”—that she finds her most In addition to her radio show and engaging and inclusive material. Back of the Nation, she hosts the Israeli version of the BBC TV program Room Drawing on Academic Training 101, in which she interviews Israeli Analyses like these exemplify how personalities about their biggest psychology permeates Galili’s many fears or pet peeves. She also lectures professional roles. Her TAU studies left about humor and writes newspaper an imprint on her in other ways too. columns. She recently produced a Studying at the University taught her

Three TAU Israel Prize Laureates in 2020

This year, three Tel Aviv University faculty members were among the winners of the Israel Prize, the country's highest TAU’s Mints Prize Awarded to Poverty Expert honor, bestowed on Israelis who have made outstanding contributions in various fields. The ceremony, which is NEWS IN BRIEF IN NEWS traditionally broadcast live on TV on Israel’s Independence Prof. Sabine Alkire Day, was pre-recorded without an audience for the first received the 2020 Prize of time because of COVID-19. TAU’s Boris Mints Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions to Prof. Joseph Klafter of the Global Challenges (BMI) for Raymond and Beverly Sackler her “exceptional contribution School of Chemistry, immediate to the understanding of the past President of TAU (2009-2019), dynamics and implications of received the prize for Chemistry poverty” at a digital ceremony and Physics. He was cited for last month. contributions in the dynamics of Alkire, director of the Oxford Poverty and Development anomalous motion in varied systems Initiative, made poverty studies a more exact science in the fields of chemistry, physics and biology. "Over the when she developed the Multidimensional Poverty Index years, the immense and universal importance of his work to provide accurate and actionable data to policy-makers, has become evident, as more and more systems can be together with Prof. James Foster. The Index has already exhaustively described using the methods he developed," been applied to 101 countries. the Prize committee said of Prof. Klafter. “It is obvious to everyone that the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic will dramatically aggravate the Prof. Vered Noam, outgoing problem of poverty, and not only in the less economically Director of the Chaim Rosenberg developed countries,” said Dr. Boris Mints, President of School of Jewish Studies and BMI. “Against this landscape, the scientific and practical Archaeology, received the prize in activities and civic position of our laureate, Sabina Alkire, Talmud Studies. She was recognized take on special significance, arousing great respect and for developing an important admiration.” methodology for the study of Since 2017, the $100,000 BMI Prize has been given to an Talmudic literature, among other exceptional individual who has devoted his or her research achievements. Prof. Noam is widely lauded for mentoring to solving a strategic global challenge, and whose public junior scholars and for making Jewish texts accessible to action and ideas have made a transformative impact on the general public. She is the first woman to receive the global policy formation and contributed to the welfare of award in the Talmud category. a significant number of communities worldwide. The Boris Mints Institute was founded in 2015 at TAU. “It’s so heartening that the Institute would recognize Prof. Gideon Rechavi, of poverty to be a global challenge that needs a strategic the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, policy solution,” said Prof. Alkire in recognition of her award. received the prize for medicine. Members of the Institute’s International Advisory Board He is the founder and director of attended the ceremony remotely, among them former the Sheba Medical Center's Cancer Prime Minister of Montenegro Igor Lukšić and former Research Center and has spent Prime Minister of Armenia Prof. Armen Darbinian. Also most of his professional life at TAU present online was Prof. Michael Kremer of Harvard in parallel. Prof. Rechavi's studies on University, 2018 BMI Prize Laureate and 2019 Nobel Prize the molecular basis of childhood cancer have won him Laureate. numerous awards and have been the subject of more than 500 academic articles.

34 TAU REVIEW | 2020 Outstanding Year for TAU Math Teams

TAU took home top honors in two prestigious math competitions in 2020. TAU students won three Grand First Prizes competing for Israel in the International TAU Students Ensure Safe Water Mathematics Competition, and a team of high schoolers trained at TAU won three medals at the European Girls' Supply in Tanzania Mathematical Olympiad. Thanks to TAU students, schoolchildren of the Babati district, Tanzania, can drink clean water at school. As part of an ongoing project run by the TAU chapter of Engineers Without Borders, six TAU students flew to Tanzania during the 2019-2020 winter break to build and improve local water infrastructure. With the help of local students and teachers, the team installed a 40,000-liter rainwater collection system on the roof of the Babati District School, where 1,000 children study daily. They also maintained previously installed systems and provided training to local residents. Tanzania suffers from an unreliable clean water supply, with a long dry season, poor infrastructure, competition with wildlife over water sources, and a high concentration Only 10 Grand First Prizes were awarded to the of fluoride in water which is harmful to humans. 546 competitors at the International Mathematics "We take all of our theoretical ideas learned in the Competition. "The Israeli students performed fantastically, classroom and implement them in order to change achieving great personal results. It is a privilege and a lives," explains TAU student Assaf Pras, a member of the pleasure to see such wonderful minds at work and to delegation. see the enthusiasm and joy with which they approach The main focus of the most recent trip was to provide mathematical challenges," says Dan Karmon, team leader drinking water to schools, but the team provided further and a PhD student at TAU's Raymond and Beverly Sackler support to the community, such as establishing a new School of Mathematical Sciences. library, he says. "Every time we are in Babati, we work on At the European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad the the next step—for example, how to provide water not only three Israeli winners represented a TAU program to to schools but to homes," says Pras. support and train young students in partnership with the This was the fifth TAU delegation to the school district, Future Scientists Center and the Ministry of Education. led by TAU Prof. Dror Avisar, head of the Water Research Mathematics professor Eilon Solan trained the delegation. Center and the Moshe Mirilashvili Institute for Applied Both competitions took place online. Water Studies.

35 @sourasky_central_library (Dr. Mor Cohen-Raz) Social @TAU

@tau.international

Rocking it

@tauinternational (David Ryan) @TAU2go Arabic (Kareem Yahia) # # #

BATTing # LOVE + Peace

@globaltau (Moshe Bedarshi) @yovelbatlab (Ksenia Krivoruchko) 36 INDIA SWITZERLAND Tel Aviv University Aaron Solomon, President Patrick Loeb-Meyer, President Indian Friends of Tel Aviv University Swiss Friends of Tel Aviv University Lay Leadership ISRAEL UK Amnon Dick, Chairman David Meller, Chairman Israeli Friends of Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv University Trust Worldwide Glen Watson, Chairman, Scottish Group KAZAKHSTAN Tel Aviv University Trust Dr. Alexander Machkevitch, President ARGENTINA Kazakhstani Friends of Tel Aviv University URUGUAY Polly Mizrahi de Deutsch, President Bettina Szames, President Uruguayan Friends of Tel Aviv University Argentinean Friends of Tel Aviv University MEXICO Jaime Murow Troice, President AUSTRALIA Mexican Friends of Tel Aviv University USA Rosie Potaznik, President Clement Erbmann, National Chairman American Friends of Tel Aviv University Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University (Victoria) NETHERLANDS Dutch Friends of Tel Aviv University Jenny Hillman, President Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University (New South Wales) NORWAY Clive Donner, President Jan Dante, Chairman Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University (WA) Norwegian Friends of Tel Aviv University Chairperson, AFTAU Pty Ltd. PANAMA AUSTRIA Millie Bettsak, President Dr. Bernhard Ramsauer, President Panamanian Friends of Tel Aviv University Austrian Friends of Tel Aviv University PERU BRAZIL Roberto Lerner, Liaison David Ades, President Peruvian Friends of Tel Aviv University Brazilian Friends of Tel Aviv University São Paulo Renée Cohen Zaide PORTUGAL Brazilian Friends of Tel Aviv University Rio de Janeiro Lucienne Kampel, President Dr. Mario Gurvitz Cardoni Portuguese Friends of Tel Aviv University Brazilian Friends of Tel Aviv University Porto Alegre RUSSIA Viktor Vekselberg, President CANADA Russian Friends of Tel Aviv University The Honourable Jerry S. Grafstein QC National President SOUTH AFRICA Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University Jonathan Osrin, Chairman David Altshuller, Regional Chair South African Friends of Tel Aviv University Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University Ontario and Western Canada SPAIN Josh Cummings, Regional Chair Patricia Nahmad, Co-President Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University Ottawa, Isaac Querub, Honorary President Quebec and Atlantic Canada Spanish Friends of Tel Aviv University ECUADOR SWEDEN Ketty Grun, Liaison Ecuadorian Friends of Tel Aviv University Peter Seideman, President Swedish Friends of Tel Aviv University FRANCE Prof. François Heilbronn, President French Friends of Tel Aviv University (AFAUTA)

GERMANY Uwe Becker, President German Friends of Tel Aviv University

HONG KONG Sharon Ser, Chairperson Hong Kong Friends of Tel Aviv University Studio Dinitz

IT’S YOUR TURN

You can help Israel’s brightest students continue studying and pursue their big ideas, despite the COVID-19 crisis. Support TAU’s COVID-19 Emergency Student Aid Campaign today.

Be Part of the Next Big Idea TAU Global Campaign

[email protected] http://campaign.tau.ac.il