2011, Velopment of Software Platforms Techniques

Winter 2010/11

TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY REVIEW

Science and the Sacred

Explosives Detection Digitizing Architectural Design Israel-India Ties Information Overload 9 New faculty member Prof. Ronitt Rubinfeld uses advanced mathematical techniques Cover story: to make sense of the The Science of data deluge. Judaism 2 From digitizing the Cairo Geniza to studying biblical weather, TAU Honing Israel’s scholars are offering fresh scientif- Security Edge 10 ic perspectives on Jewish culture The Yuval Ne’eman Workshop in and religion. Science, Technology and Security influences Israel’s national security policy.

Closing a Circle 14 A community

TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY REVIEW outreach program Winter 2010/11 Winter helps children cope with the loss of a relative from cancer.

Issued by the Strategic Communications Dept. Development and Public Affairs Division Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel Prizes 37 TAU physicist Prof. Yakir Aharonov Tel: +972 3 6408249 sections Fax: + 972 3 6407080 receives the US National Medal of Science from President Barack E-mail: [email protected] Obama www.tau.ac.il innovations 16

Editor: Louise Shalev Contributors: Rava Eleasari, Pauline Reich, Ruti Ziv, Michal Alexander, Sarah Lubelski, Gil Zohar leadership 20 Graphic Design: TAU Graphic Design Studio/ Michal Semo-Kovetz; Dalit Pessach Dio’olamot Photography: Development and Public Affairs Division initiatives Photography Department/Michal Roche Ben Ami, 24 Michal Kidron Additional Photography: Ryan K Morris Photography and the National Science & Technology Medals associations 26 Foundation; Yaron Hershkovic; Avraham Hay, from the Wolfe Family Collection, courtesy of the Bible Lands Museum, Jerusalem; Yoram Reshef digest 34 Administrative Coordinator: Pauline Reich Administrative Assistant: Shay Bramson Translation Services: Sagir Translations, Offiservice newsmakers Printing: Eli Meir Printing 39 Officers of Tel Aviv University a

Harvey M. Krueger Chairman of the Board of Governors Dr. Giora Yaron Chairman of the Executive Council Prof. Joseph Klafter President Prof. Aron Shai Rector Mordehai Kohn Director-General Prof. Ehud Gazit Vice President for Research and Development

Dr. Raymond R. Sackler, Dear Friends, Michael H. Steinhardt Honorary Chairmen of the Board of Governors In line with the University’s efforts to ad- Dr. h.c. Karl Heinz-Kipp, vance priority areas, extend its international Deputy Chairman of the Board of Governors reach, and share academic riches with the wider Dr. h.c. Josef Buchmann, Stewart M. Colton, Prof. François Heilbronn, Israeli public, I am pleased to present a few of our achievements in the Dr. h.c. Raya Jaglom, John Landerer AM CBE, last year. Adolfo Smolarz, Melvin S. Taub TAU recruited 50 new faculty members, up from 34 last year and Vice Chairpersons of the Board of Governors more than any other Israeli university. This is an exciting development. It reflects TAU’s concerted drive to bring home the very best young Israeli Prof. Dina Prialnik scientists from top institutions in the USA and Europe. Vice Rector TAU rose to 11th place internationally in citation impact according Prof. Dany Leviatan st Pro-Rector to the QS 2010 World University Rankings, up from 21 place last year. Prof. Hannah Naveh This affirms our scientists and scholars’ research excellence and TAU’s rd Dean of the Yolanda and David Katz preeminence among Israeli universities. The University also placed 63 Faculty of the Arts in the world, and first in Israel, in the total number of research publica- Prof. Ehud Heyman tions, with just under 4,000 published this last year. Dean of the Iby and Aladar Fleischman TAU expanded its international study programs to 10, and is plan- Faculty of Engineering ning to open seven more. High quality programs in areas as diverse as Prof. Haim J. Wolfson Dean of the Raymond and Beverly Sackler conflict resolution, medicine and music attracted over 800 students from Faculty of Exact Sciences around the world, and helped reinforce TAU’s international academic Prof. Eyal Zisser standing. Dean of the Lester and Sally Entin TAU students performed 305,290 community service hours, both Faculty of Humanities as volunteers in the University’s social involvement programs and as part Prof. Hanoch Dagan of their academic curriculum. Much of their work involved teaching Dean of the Buchmann Faculty of Law children and adults – some 45,000 of them – who were brought to the Prof. Yoel Kloog Dean of the George S. Wise campus from all over Israel for educational enrichment. Faculty of Life Sciences These figures provide an outline; more in-depth coverage of the Prof. Asher Tishler University’s interdisciplinary research and teaching programs, interna- Dean of the Faculty of Management—Leon tional ties, student life and community outreach can be enjoyed in the Recanati Graduate School of Business following pages. Administration Prof. Yoseph Mekori Yours sincerely, Dean of the Sackler Faculty of Medicine Prof. Noah Lewin-Epstein Dean of the Gershon H. Gordon Faculty of Social Sciences Prof. Yoav Ariel Professor Joseph Klafter Dean of Students TAU President The Science of

Piecing Together the Past, Literally Two TAU scientists are taking part in an international project to digitize the Cairo Geniza, a unique trove of fragmented Jewish documents spanning nearly 1,000 years. It contains over 250,000 hand-written items, mainly in Hebrew characters. In conjunction with the Friedberg Geniza Project, Prof. Nachum Dershowitz and Dr. Lior Wolf of the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences have developed a computer program that can analyze and compare handwriting to ascertain if fragments were written by the same scribe. The program uses image processing and data analysis techniques to “piece together” fragments of manuscripts into more coherent and complete texts. The proposed “joins” are then verified by expert scholars. The two scientists received the Best Paper Award at the 2009 post-ICCV Workshop on eHeritage and Digital Art Preservation in Kyoto Japan, for their research.

Science Science of Judaism barked on a dramatic revision of the of the revision on adramatic barked em university the ago done. years Six Tel what Aviv has exactly University is but that Studies, into Jewish life new to breathe city secular afamously in It open and pluralistic,” continues Prof. continues pluralistic,” open and culture.” of Jewish investigation critical and tic ahumanis we’re to leading committed “As such, philosophy. Jewish of scholar aTAUProf. Lorberbaum, Menachem science,” and says culture of general are we as just of Judaism, treasures of the inquiry. scientific on emphasis an with framework tive a new, create to integra fields other and philosophy Kabbalah, Bible, TAU between fences tore the down scholarship. of Jewish forms traditional apparently takes a secular university university a secular takes apparently “We We’re no have predispositions. “As auniversity, we’re curators the intheworld Studies Jewish of department largest interdisciplinary HebrewCulture –the of atitsDepartment passion intellectual TAU inspires - - - Prof. Zohar and University Noam Princeton of Walzer Michael Prof. Tradition book His says. one under roof,”porary Lorberbaum contem the and historical the together for bringing means ideal an as well as vibrant department, for a makes “This philosophy. and Hassidism Kabbalah, rabbinics, Talmud, Hebrew language, adds. he waters,” endless and deep those plying TAU mariners then are ocean, scholars Torah of the an as analogy ditional tra the one If uses tradition. textual Jewish vast of the breadth entire the teaches university “The Humanities. of Dean was summer this who until philosopher the Biderman, Shlomo of Jewish Studies, combines Bible, combines Studies, of Jewish School Rosenberg Chaim Culture, The Department of HebrewDepartment The , which he co-edited with with he co-edited , which Winter 2010/11 The Jewish Political Political Jewish The TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY REVIEW of - - 3 By Gil Zohar Bar-Ilan University, embodies TAU’s commitment to sparkling fresh – yet rigorous – scholarship. The ground- breaking opus brings the little-known and unexplored Jewish history of political thinking and writing into the light.

Prof. Ishay Rosen-Zvi Shaking up the system For many, the word Talmud may call to mind the dogmatic Judaism of past centuries. At TAU, however, it is far from an antiquated area of study. “Talmud is great intellectual fun. It expresses Jewish critical acumen at its best,” beams Prof. Ishay Rosen-Zvi with an electric smile. “You just have to make students aware that such a magnificent text exists.” Talmud expresses Jewish critical acumen Thanks to Rosen-Zvi and his as- at its best. sociates, the university is today an academic powerhouse in Talmud and hallways to engage in the noisy back- what we’re doing – shaking up the rabbinics. This is the vast corpus of and-forth discussion that character- system.” Biblical law, commentary and legend izes Talmudic study. This is followed Rather than request permission to that developed in the Land of Israel by a concluding lecture by the two teach in such a manner, Rosen-Zvi and Babylon in the centuries follow- teachers. and Noam simply invited then dean ing the destruction of the Second Why adopt yeshiva methods along- Biderman to observe a lesson. “After Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE. For side standard university ones? he saw it, he had no second thoughts,” the last three years, Prof. Rosen-Zvi “The idea of havruta is that it al- Rosen-Zvi says. “It’s the only place in and Prof. Vered Noam have been lows students to experience the study Israeli academia that this happens. teaching Talmud using a group study of Talmud in a direct way, to experi- And we’re really proud of it.” technique, plucked straight out of the ence the joy of struggling with such Another first, not only for Israel but yeshiva world, called havruta (from a fascinating, cryptic text. No frontal for the entire Jewish Studies commu- the Hebrew haver, or “friend”). lesson can give you this,” responds nity, is the upcoming edition by Dr. During havruta study sessions, Rosen-Zvi. “Havruta study challenges Ronit Meroz of Zohar – the mystical students pair off, spreading out in the the formality of academia. And that’s 24-volume commentary on the Bible that is the mainstay of Kabbalah. Ranging Far and Wide Interest in Zohar has spiraled in recent years with the proliferation of Jewish Studies at TAU are enriched by the activities of 25 centers, institutes and endowed chairs in a wide range of fields, among them the Goldstein-Goren populist Kabbalah study centers. Diaspora Research Center | Kantor Center for the Study of Contemporary European Meroz's study promises to be Jewry | Cymbalista Jewish Heritage Center | Goldreich Family Institute for Yiddish vastly different, however, than other Language, Literature and Culture | Andrea and Charles Bronfman Institute for Media published editions and aims to settle of the Jewish People | Stephen Roth Institute and Alfred P. Slaner Chair for the Study longstanding questions of how Zohar of Anti-Semitism and Racism | Abraham and Edita Spiegel Family Foundation Chair was written and by whom. for European Jewish History | Jacob and Shoshana Schreiber Chair in the History of “This will completely change the the Hebrew Language | Zvi and Sara Berger Chair in the History of Russian Jewry | way we view Zohar,” enthuses Prof. Samuel L. and Perry Haber Chair on the Study of the Jewish Experience in the United Lorberbaum. “It will be the work of States | Joan and Jaime Constantiner Chair in Jewish Education | Benyamin and a generation.” Chaya Schapelski Chair of Holocaust Studies | Jacob M. Alkow Chair for the History Prof. Biderman adds, “Meroz’s at- of the Jews in the Ancient World. tempt at scientific analysis of such a 4 Winter 2010/11 TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY REVIEW

large and complex body of work is an teacher than you would normally see Biblical Climate example of how TAU is contributing in the classroom,” observes Yassif. to modernizing Jewish Studies and “Every year we accept 15 students Jewish Studies at TAU making them relevant to our times.” who are chosen very carefully accord- encompass some surprising areas of ing to two key criteria: their intellec- specialization. An interest in climate Making Jewish Studies compelling tual level and their teaching ability. change led Prof. Pinhas Alpert, a Perhaps no program demonstrates Today Ofakim is considered perhaps physicist who heads the Porter School TAU’s commitment to revitalizing the most prestigious teacher training of Environmental Studies, to focus on Jewish Studies more than the Ofakim program in the country.” how information about weather in the (“Horizons”) Program for the Study The cherry-picked students are Hebrew Bible, Talmud and Midrash can of Judaism as Culture. Established awarded both tuition scholarships be explained by modern science. by the Posen Foundation and the and living stipends. They graduate Alpert’s research about dew was New York-based Center for Cultural with a BA and a Teaching Certificate, published recently in Water Resources Judaism in 2004, this unique teacher yet while other teacher training pro- Journal. Dew appears eight times in the training program enables participants grams require 20 hours of classroom Bible, all in a positive context, in contrast to explore the idea that while Jewish teaching, Ofakim requires 140. The to the two words for rain, geshem civilization has always included reli- program’s key distinguishing feature and matar, which are also associated gion, it is not limited to matters of spir- is its emphasis on extracurricular ac- with Noah’s flood and other disasters. ituality. As taught at TAU, Yiddishkeit tivities, such as theater and film out- “What did the ancients know?” he asks. (Jewishness) encompasses the spec- ings, museum visits, debates with “Modern scientists consider dew a curse leading figures and encounters with for vegetation because it encourages other religions. fungi and plant diseases, yet we’ve This all-encompassing approach shown that it’s essential for plants in gives graduates the tools needed to semi-arid zones to combat water stress.” engage secular and often indifferent high school students in the classroom. Typically, young people view the Bible as an historical anachronism and a compulsory subject to be suf- fered through and then never given a second thought. “The identification of Judaism with religiosity is exactly what distances school pupils today,” winces Yassif. “The 60 Ofakim-trained graduates we've produced appreciate and teach for Teacher Training in Jewish Judaism as an open and liberal space. Studies (“Melamdim”) in coop- trum of secular studies relating to the We’re trying to prepare teachers who eration with the Shalom Hartman Jewish experience, from philosophy to will get pupils to realize that Judaism Institute for Advanced Judaic Studies Dr. Dalit philology, and from history to anti- is much bigger than they imagine,” he in Jerusalem. The program, which is Rom-Shiloni Semitism studies. Undergraduates can says. open to outstanding American and also attend pluralistic Jewish Studies Not surprisingly, Ofakim alumni Israeli BA graduates, provides com- courses that are partly supported by are in high demand and are snapped prehensive academic and practical the Posen Foundation. up by schools as soon as they gradu- training in advanced Bible, rabbinic The three-year teachers' program ate. In fact, the program has been literature and Jewish philosophy is headed by Prof. Eli Yassif, who so successful that Ben-Gurion and studies – again, with a pluralist bent. says he can feel the growing impact Haifa Universities are interested in of TAU graduates in shaping Jewish replicating it on their own campuses, Identity as survival consciousness across the country. Yassif reports. Contemporary relevance also pre- “We’re bringing into the Israeli In addition to Ofakim, TAU runs occupies Biblical scholar Dr. Dalit school system a different type of the English-language MA Program Rom-Shiloni, author of the forth- 5 “See to it that you do not spoil and destroy My world; for if you do, there will be no-one else to repair it.” Ecclesiastes 7:13

6 Jews and the Environment

PhD student Noa Dolev-Israeli, Coordinator of the Horizons Program for Judaism as Culture, examines attitudes toward the environment as portrayed in the Bible and other ancient Jewish texts. One example is the concept of shnat shmita, still used today, whereby farmland must be allowed to lay fallow every seventh year. “We don’t know how much the Jews of ancient times understood about the environment, but they did know that their role was to be caretakers of the land,” she explains. “There are European researchers hypothesizing that today’s catastrophic environmental situation can be traced back to Genesis, when man was told by God to exploit the land. I hope that by fusing ancient and ultra-modern ideas, my research could have important implications for contemporary cultural, social and even political attitudes toward the environment.” Noa’s doctoral research has been funded by the Porter School of Environmental Studies at TAU. Photo courtesy of TAU’s Cymbalista Jewish Heritage Center

7 coming God in Times of Destruction Keeping the Demons Away and Exiles: Tanakh Theology (Hebrew, “Thou Shall Not Suffer a Witch to Live” commands Magnes Press). “The book is not only the Bible [Exodus 22:17]. Despite this biblical Amulet talking about God as omnipotent showing ear- prohibition, however, Jews have been practicing liest known and omniscient, but as the controller magic from antiquity to today, says Prof. Gideon depiction of disasters and national crises – the of hand Bohak of the Department of Hebrew Culture. (khamsa) on Bible’s versions of 9/11,” she says. Because magic rituals practiced by Jews involved pendant Students sit spellbound as Rom- Photo cour- the production of inscribed objects, such as amulets, tesy of the the Shiloni weaves her lectures between magic bowls, divination tables and written curses Bible Lands the woof of Biblical protest and the Museum, and erotic spells, many of these have survived, enabling Jerusalem warp of the Holocaust and contem- scholars to study the tradition. by Avraham porary Israel, contrasting the 6th Hay from the “Jewish magic may sound like a contradiction in terms,” says Bohak. “On the Wolfe Family century BCE exile by the waters of one hand, the Hebrew Bible itself prohibited magic, but on the other hand, it was Collection. Babylon with today’s Diaspora on very inconsistent and in some ways even encouraged the development of Jewish the Thames, Seine and Hudson. magic, especially as an alternative to the magic practiced by the Jews’ neighbors.” Following the destruction of the First These rituals were sanctioned and carried out by rabbis and other Jewish leaders; Temple in 586 BCE, some Jews were the founder of Hassidic Judaism, the Baal Shem Tov, for example, is known to have expelled to Babylon. Others remained written hundreds of charms. in their homeland. A bitter feud broke Bohak was drawn to the field of Jewish magic out of an interest in the interaction out over which party constituted the between Judaism and other cultures. “In magic, you get a lot of cross-cultural true remnant of Jerusalem, with both cooperation,” he says. “In antiquity the Jews borrowed magic spells from the Greeks; groups prophesying calamity for the during the Middle Ages, they borrowed from Muslims and to a lesser extent from other. Christians. Today, New Age aficionados are borrowing from the Jews.” “Why couldn’t both camps say, ‘We’re brothers? ’” Rom-Shiloni asks. “My explanation is that they needed to reformulate their identity.” tity by excluding those who share a scholarship of Judaism’s holy texts, She cites two parallel examples cultural heritage but hold different an endeavor initiated in Europe two Prof. Menachem from Jewish history to illustrate this religious views. The Canaanites and centuries ago and today enshrined at Lorberbaum process of strengthening group iden- Israelites shared a common culture TAU, allows the spectrum of Jewish and language, as did the Christians spiritual creativity to shine in its full and Judeans in the decades following splendor and variety. Jesus’ crucifixion. Yet in both cases The teaching of Baruch Spinoza the populations developed different – the 17th century Dutch rationalist identities because of their varying at- who was excommunicated by the rab- titudes to monotheism. bis of Amsterdam in 1656 for heresy – “By comparing the various calami- is a litmus test for freedom of expres- ties of the 6th and 20–21st centuries, sion, in Jewish terms. Lorberbaum we can look back and see that we sur- proudly cites the Spinoza course he vived. It may be a cliché to say am is- teaches. “At TAU, no Jewish text or rael chai (‘the Jewish People lives’) but philosopher is taboo.” it’s a fact. And that’s why I’m studying “At our department, the almost the steps the early Jews took to reeval- two dozen professors and adjuncts are uate their religious conceptions, rede- masters of the Judaic textual tradi- fine their identity and thus endure.” tion, as well as of contemporary critical and cultural theory,” Lorberbaum All-embracing curriculum concludes. “They’re capable of con- Prof. Lorberbaum explains that veying the place of the sacred in our in the Jewish tradition, the correct lives. They’ve brought alive the whole interpretation of Torah is not a mat- field of Jewish Studies.” ter of dogma but debate. Critical 8 Blavatnik School, she says, is compa is School, she says, Blavatnik to TAU. Rubinfeld draws that The But it’s connection not this just Hebrew of University at the Jerusalem. completed her post-doctorate she also country, to the mother. No stranger Israeli an has Rubinfeld and Israel, in born was Prof. roots. Canetti family Sciences. of Exact Faculty Sackler Beverly and Raymond ofmembers the are Both Security. for Information TAU’sto head Point Check Institute recruited was Canetti, Prof.band, Ran to join TAU. ago years two Her hus trends. shopping online to detecting globe the across outbreaks disease tracking from ranging merous, nu are of algorithm type fortions this possible. Theapplica thought ever was than of data sets larger through sort can which algorithm, time a sublinear called of algorithm, type a unique ing her life’s work pursuing been – develop has Prof. Rubinfeld recruit Ronitt new of School Computer Science, Blavatnik engine. Google’sing search The onepower ubiquitous algorithm? The most lives. of daily our part are but they mathematics, and science in used procedures problem-solving are which encounter algorithms, sonally The department in the US. the in department computerrable to atop-five science Information Internet age the in pioneers for analysis methods data member Prof.New faculty Ronitt Rubinfeld The move has been a return to a return been The movehas MIT left Rubinfeld American-born of the faculty the joining Since average person may never per never may person average Overload ------crunch all the existing data. existing the all crunch not computers and even can endless, is information iPads, like super-devices You as such platforms Tube mobile and world’s the data Analyzing it is impossible to ask every person in in person every it impossible to ask is to Rubinfeld, Separation.” According you.” it telling what is and has data the properties of idea what an get you can fraction, asmall reality in data, of the pieces chosen look at randomly “But you if time,” explains. Rubinfeld of amount immense an take once could even of piece data at every “Looking set. data the from samples at smaller ing by look of data sets massive to analyze designed are develops, ones Rubinfeld Take the game, “Six Degrees of Degrees “Six Take game, the the like algorithms, time Sublinear video shopping, online Between Rubinfeld Ronitt Prof. - colleagues and students. The white big students. and colleagues her with side brainstorming lab, of the of her out work happens part integral an butscreen, that Prof. says Rubinfeld front in of hours acomputerendless requires techniques sampling smart minds of the A meeting them. for true holds theory degrees or not six whether the of asense world, get the people and in of fraction to be lookwould at a small Asolution immense. is process lection col the and changing, constantly is she says, Such data, time. same at the rates death and birth as such for factors worldknow,the account who they and she says. she says. material,” the to understand eager are who fromstudents questions fielding I’m class, still athree-hour Even after engaged. very are students the courses, Iteach here When “a blast. lecturing others.” and department this in members or faculty other students my with here, working of collaboration ematically,” “I love she says. spirit the math them proving and ideas erating “Ations. spent is gen lot of time our equa with packed typically is office her prominently in features that board up to the challenge. Rubinfeld calls calls Rubinfeld challenge. up to the It may seem like developing these these developing It like seem may And TAU students are certainly TAUAnd certainly are students Winter 2010/11 TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY REVIEW - - - - - 9

brain gain policy 10 high-tech sector. high-tech the in Israel’s success behind also is and today until concept security principle of Israel’s guiding the been has superior. This technologically be to needed forces armed the that and quality up in it to make need would quantity in lacked Israel what that on early understood Ben-Gurion, minister,David prime first Our ence. Israel’s exist with come toyet terms region’s of most whom haven’t Arabs, 50 outnumbered to 1 by the are Israel Russia, India, Japan and the Western the and Japan India, Russia, China, the USA, are The others space. independent in are that club of seven to aselect belongs Israel life. civilian for it’s and important plications also of staff. IDF chief ter and minis defense minister, prime of the desks on the land reports ment. Our establish Israel’s defense in makers decision- key public and general the among of this promoting awareness priority. atop national We’reremain technology and science that antee lites and communications satellites. satellites. communications and lites satel of small areas the in especially – revenues to new generate industry itsspace leverage Israel that ommends rec The report Levi. Ram student MA and Paikowsky Dr.fellows Deganit research by our prepared policy space on of Israel’s areport recommendations invest in space technologies? technologies? space in invest Israel should Why (ISA). Agency Space Israel You of the head are impact? significant havehad reports of your Which have on policymakers? Workshop the does impact What originate? superiority on technological emphasis Israel’s did Where The government has adopted theadopted governmentThehas helping guar are activities Our Today, in Jews million six the Space research has military ap military has research Space ------tries. tries. to coun other compared but it fair is It’s million. to $84 not enough, raised munications and weather forecasts. forecasts. weather and munications com for security, our systems satellite We bloc. European relyon own our on space research in Israel? Israel? in research on space expenditure current the is What France. project with on alarge rently working We’re us. from to learn coming cur is world whole The launch. to ficient more and ef cheaper far them making of systems, weight other ofa tenth the world. the They’re in some best of the considered are satellites our although R&D? space in ranked Israel is Where The civil space budget has been been has budget space civil The the world,in We’re fifth ranked pivotal toIsrael’s nationalsecuritystrategy. describes howscienceandtechnologyremain Workshop founderandheadProf. IsaacBen-Israel reports andsponsors15research fellows. Security atTAU holdsconferences, publishes Workshop inScience,Technology and Established eightyearsago,theYuval Ne’eman By LouiseShalev Edge Honing Israel’s Security - - - - ware programs that can intercept can that programs ware It’s soft about warfare. sending in to Earth. adanger pose teroids that as like objects near-earth researches program Guards Space Israel the and phenomena; weather space dangerous forecasts and activity geomagnetic and radiation solar Center studies Weather Space and Ray Cosmic Israel the NASA; with cooperation in data observation Earth global and regional collects ISA-MEIDA projects. three TAUIsrael. running is in research space in part important pose a real threat? threat? areal pose it Does futuristic. sounds This warfare. cyber You studying are research? How TAU is space in involved Cyber conflict is the next frontier the next is Cyber conflict an taking are universities The

- - Winter 2010/11 TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY REVIEW

major computer systems such as the electricity grid and communications and security systems. It can effective- ly paralyze the state, as was demon- strated a few years ago in Estonia.

How do we fight it? If, for example, Syria attacks Israel in a conventional manner, then according to international law Israel has the right to strike back. However, with cyber warfare, you might not be able to trace who the attacker is. We will have to redefine traditional warfare in the light of the legal and ethical issues involved. We are conducting studies on this for the National Security Council and the Defense Ministry. Some of them are classified, but not all.

Are alternative energies a security priority for Israel? Yes. The world’s oil reserves are mainly in the hands of non-friendly and non-democratic states. The government is investing considerable resources in finding alternative energy sources. We held a conference on the subject attended by the Minister of Trade and Industry and the Chief Scientist as well as 60 experts. Our work on the subject is helping the Ministry formulate policy.

What about Iran? A report by research fellow Dr. nevertheless it indicates to the female Prof. Isaac Ben-Israel Moshe Vered prepared on Iran what an attractive partner he is. It’s graduated from Tel Aviv University in has been espoused by Vice Prime the same with Iran. The more noise mathematics, physics and philosophy, Minister and Minister of Strategic they make, the better deterrence they earning his PhD in 1988. A retired Affairs Moshe Ya’alon. In anoth- achieve while at the same time man- major-general in the Israel Air Force, er report our doctoral student Or aging to cover up the fact that they’re Prof. Ben-Israel has served as head Rabinowitz explains how the Iranians basically a Third World country with of military R&D of the Israel Defense achieve deterrence by using a famous weak military capabilities, as was also Forces and the Ministry of Defense. evolutionary concept known as the explained by Dr. Vered. He is a recipient of the Israel Defense Handicap Principle which was devel- Award and the Israel Air Force Award, oped by TAU zoologist Prof. Amotz Do you agree with this assessment? and was a member of Knesset from Zehavi. The principle describes how Yes, I believe the Iranian threat is 2007 to 2009. He is currently head of animals manage to overcome their exaggerated. They’re creating an im- the Israel National Council for Research natural impediments. The male pea- age of military power, but we don’t and Development and Chairman of cock’s long tail, for example, makes it have to be afraid. There are ways of the Israel Space Agency. He joined the difficult for him to escape predators; stopping them. faculty of TAU in 2002. 11 Next-Generation Architectural Design

Since ancient times, structures in headed by Dr. Eran Neuman, Head Recently, Dr. Neuman organized

TAU Jerusalem have been built using local of the Azrieli School, the laboratory an international conference entitled student Ofir Jerusalem stone. To preserve this tra- features a new 3D printer, which “Fabrication: New Technologies in Menachem’s design for dition, municipal laws in Jerusalem was purchased with a generous do- Digital Architecture,” which received a housing require that all buildings be faced nation received for this purpose, support from the Azrieli Foundation, project that will reduce with it – a costly process that in- together with a 3D laser cutter and Object Geometrics and the British costs and volves using only 5% of each stone. 3D scanner donated by the Azrieli Council. Six experts in the field waste. Now, TAU student Erez Klapper, Foundation. presented advanced technologies in the Azrieli Fellow in Architecture The laboratory supports the de- architecture using robotic building and Urban Planning for 2010-2011, velopment of software platforms techniques. is developing a new method of stone that integrate digital media and ar- cladding that uses 50% of the stone, chitectural design techniques. These reduces waste and lowers costs. new platforms can be customized Master’s in The design for a stone pavilion and adapted for each project to en- Klapper created to test out his idea able better planning of smart and Architecture uses cutting-edge technologies avail- ecological buildings, to develop new Graduate-level studies in architecture able in the new Digital Architecture machinery or change the way old ma- will be offered for the first time this Laboratory at TAU's David Azrieli chinery works, and to prevent waste academic year at the David Azrieli School of Architecture. Initiated and of material and resources. School of Architecture. The Head of the Azrieli School, Dr. Eran Neuman, says, “As a university we have the advantage of combining quality professional TAU student training with interdisciplinary studies Erez Klapper’s in the humanities and arts. This is stone pavilion important because, ultimately, people demonstrates his innovative use architecture in the real world. The stone- new M.Arch program will include four cladding technique. main study tracks: urban planning and The structure design; conservation; history, theory consists of exhibition and criticism of architecture; and the halls. development of design technologies in the school's new Digital Architecture Laboratory. 12 Israel, and important to cultivate. to cultivate. important and Israel, within much needed was area this in expertise Ifelt that education. in tistics sta and measurement evaluation, ods, meth for research apassion developed here education at TAU, in MA an I doing Iwas women. While for Arab profession main the is teaching cause study? field of you your to drew What inIsrael professor female Arab first beats theoddstobecome the TAU member faculty Through Breaking W University of Georgia, USA. USA. ofUniversity Georgia, at the scholar aFulbright as PhD Aviv University, completed her and Tel from MA holds and aBA Alhija Prof. Nasser-Abu system. university Israeli the professor in Arab female first the appointed as been just she has of School Education, Constantiner Joan and Jaime at the Instruction and Planning of Curriculum Department of TAU’s Now chair ic the career. academ an pursue and her direction change her to motivated sition. This thepo for qualified less was believes who she job colleague, went to amale the Instead, down. turned she was pal, princi school ahigh job as her dream applied for of town Tira, Arab Israeli the from teacher biology and math I originally went be into education I originally hen Fadia Nasser-Abu Alhija, a Nasser-AbuAlhija, hen Fadia ------training and evaluation within Israel. Israel. within evaluation and training involved teacher in very gap. Iam this to explain tried and students, Arab and Jewish between achievement cal mathemati in discrepancies the at here. studies the with cope to difficult was it at first and system, education inferior an from I came Also, time. at that went to university Very women my few from town commuting. and house the leaving faculty? TAU the join to it like was What academia? in faced you challenges the were What contribution to your field? your to contribution your as doyou see What guage. guage. come from, we lan acommon have of or where my I students regardless that Iknow and here supportive, is atmosphere my work.The working for award teacher outstanding an here, Ireceived starting after years Afew respect. their help me gain would of teaching skill on the ing focus and my tostudents know ting In my own research, I have looked looked Ihave research, myIn own get that Irealized Very quickly actually was challenge My first - - - - their families and their husbands. husbands. their and families their from independent, both economically to be for them it important is that ing realiz are themselves girls Arab And world modern the without education. in alife build women cannot that ago seemed impossible. impossible. seemed ago years a few until that things complish ac can they despite difficulties, that women to Arab a message as serves My education. appointmentsue their abroad for women to pur available morealso openings are There ing. engineer or even schools law schools, womenin medical Arab many find Now, changing. you’ll are Things professor. associate an becoming in you were in school? school? you in were since changed education female towards attitude Arab the Has journals. academic of international boards and committees steering on national serve Ialso on achievement. student search conduct re and on how to measure abook writing be Iwill future, the In Israeli Arab women in academia? women in Arab Israeli for future How the doyou see Arab families have acknowledged acknowledged have families Arab I’m proud of my accomplishment Winter 2010/11 TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY REVIEW - - - - - 13 Alhija Nasser-Abu Prof. Fadia By Sarah Lubelski When Zoe Coleman, a six year-old Applying business know-how me to deal with my own experience of living in the Ramat Aviv neighbor- The management skills that both loss,” he says. hood close to TAU, asked to meet Jeremy and Pamela acquired while Omri was matched with eight- another girl whose father was suffer- studying for their MBAs at TAU’s and-a-half year-old Ido whose mother ing from terminal cancer like her dad, Faculty of Management—Leon died of cancer one year ago. The two Jeremy Coleman, it took her parents Recanati Graduate School of Business met for weekly meetings of one and a

community several months to find an appropriate Administration helped them set up half hours during the three months of play date. When it finally happened, the organization. Jeremy, a Brit, and the pilot program. Ido’s younger five Zoe, now eight, benefited tremen- Pamela, from the USA, met in 1996 year-old brother was also teamed up dously from the experience of meet- and married in 1999. with a TAU student-mentor. ing someone else in a similarly diffi- Jeremy worked as an international Omri believes that the program cult situation. business strategy consultant and also gives children the positive support The experience inspired Jeremy, led regional competitiveness projects they need: a fun and trusting relation- who has since died, and his wife, together with Palestinians, Jordanians ship with an older person. “I have no Pamela Becker, both TAU business and Egyptians. Pamela is a marketing doubt that our time together, playing school graduates, to establish Jeremy’s consultant specializing in advertising games, contributed to Ido’s well-be- Circle, an organization that provides and marketing strategies for Internet ing,” he says. “I was surprised that the support and play dates for the chil- companies. “The MBA degree from meetings held such importance for the le dren of family members suffering TAU helped accelerate both our ca- child within such a short time.” c from cancer. “We decided to turn reers,” says Pamela. The experience has helped Omri r things around and create a social ini- The cancer mentoring project redefine his professional goals and i tiative from all this pain and suffer- came about as a result of a chance direct his studies toward child ing,” says Pamela. meeting between Lynn Brill and psychology. “I was challenged C The initiative was taken under Pamela’s mother at the GA Assembly to enter the world of a child the wing of TAU students whose of the United Jewish Communities who cannot express his a own lives had been affected by can- that took place in Jerusalem last year. grief in words, and can cer, and they volunteered to mentor Lynn, 26, a TAU student in commu- only share with you children facing a similar loss. The nication and political science, was a his creative life,” says g program they established, Circle of young teen when her mother fell ill Omri. “This is the Giving, is run by Hillel at TAU in with cancer. “From age 11 to 14, I ac- model I would cooperation with Jeremy’s Circle and companied my mother to all her treat- like to follow in n is coordinated by TAU student Lynn ments. My parents were divorced and my work.” i Brill. I was the oldest sibling. During that Since Jeremy’s death in 2008, the time I really needed support, which s project has expanded with the help of is why I decided to take this program family and friends to include a nation- upon myself.” wide play date database that matches Lynn says that the first pilot o children according to age, gender program has had positive results. l and location and holds special fun “Children involved with cancer take days during on an enormous burden of respon- school va- sibility,” says Lynn. “The program cations. The takes them away from grief and pain C

first eventand allows them to be just kids.” the organization held after Jeremy’s For Omri, 29, a TAU psychology death was a Hanukkah party for kids student, the program represented a from all over the country. “One of chance for him to “close a circle.” the mothers started to cry. She told Omri’s mother died 10 years ago me that she hadn’t seen her kids have from cancer, while he was a soldier such fun in ages,” says Pamela. “The in the IDF. “I welcomed the idea of message is that even in a sad situation, getting closer to a young child under- it’s OK to have fun.” going the same experience. It enabled 14 Winter 2010/11 TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY REVIEW

As for Omri’s own loss, the first the program by the loss of her young- For Maayan the experience was very two years after his mother’s death er brother. Maayan was matched with meaningful as Lior was the same age were the most difficult. “We were in 14 year-old Lior, whose mother died a as her brother when he died. a constant flux of reassessing and re- year ago from cancer. “At first it was Head of TAU’s Hillel chapter, structuring our family relationships,” hard to get close to Lior, who was the Pnina Gaday, says, “The most amaz- he says, adding that his mother, who oldest child in the program. However, ing thing about this project is that volunteered in organizations dealing after a few months, we formed a close everyone involved has a connection to with patients’ rights, would be proud and trusting relationship based on cancer. The students don’t do it for ex- of his participation in the program. fun activities such as solving puz- tra credit or scholarships but are moti- Maayan Blumenfeld, 25, a TAU zles. I saw him gain self-confidence.” vated by a real desire for tikkun olam.” Pamela Becker student in psychology and special (seated left) education, was moti- with children By Louise Shalev Leo (top) and vated to join Gil, students Lynn Brill and Maayan Blumenfeld and Zoe cle Becker. iAr social program resulting from C the pain of one family is helping a children experiencing the loss of a relative to cancer g in s o l

15 New genetic research by an international team that included TAU has re- vealed the Middle East to be the main The Origins of origin of domesticated dogs, and not China or Europe as was widely be- lieved. Man’s Best Friend Prof. Eli Geffen of the Department From the canines’ samples, it was Scientists say these findings are not of Zoology at the George S. Wise determined that the majority of mod- entirely unexpected, as domesticated Faculty of Life Sciences provided ern dog breeds share more genetic cats, livestock and agriculture also genetic samples of wolves from the similarities with the Middle Eastern originated in the Middle East. The Middle East for the project, and was grey wolf than any other wolf variety, research was based on a larger sample also involved in the genetic analysis. supporting the theory that the initial size than has ever been collected be- The team looked for common genetic domestication of dogs was carried out fore, and included more in-depth anal- markers among 900 dogs representing in the Middle East, says Prof. Geffen. ysis. The team analyzed nearly 50,000 85 breeds along with more than 200 And while there are breeds that origi- genetic markers – an immense under- grey wolves from around the world, in- nated in other locations, he believes taking that has led to a more conclusive cluding North America, Europe, the they are most likely derived from dogs result, says Prof. Geffen. Middle East and East Asia. exported from the region.

Approximately 1.2 billion people in The project, which is funded by an is therefore ideal for isolated or poorer the world have no access to clean wa- EU Seventh Framework grant and in- communities in developing countries. ter, resulting in the death of 1.5 mil- cludes groups from Israel, Denmark, “There are different ways to bring lion young children every year from the UK, France, Italy, South Africa about chemical reactions,” explains water-borne diseases, according to and Jordan, is developing a photo- Prof. Reuven Boxman of the Iby UNICEF. This is due, in great part, catalytic water treatment system. This and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of to rising pollution, growing popula- harnesses photons from the sun to Engineering, who holds the Kranzberg tions and lack of water treatment in- break down pollutants in water. Chair in Plasma Engineering and frastructure in developing countries. The system, which is being designed heads the TAU component of the pro- Now, three teams of TAU scientists to resemble a solar panel, will be placed ject. “You often have to add an energy have joined an EU research consor- on dwellings located near ponds and source, such as electricity or heat in tium working on a compact and low- streams with poor water quality. It the form of a flame. What we’re doing cost solution: using the sun’s energy will not require any consumables – here is using energy from the sun to to remove contaminants in the water. electricity or chemicals – to run, and decompose organic pollutants.”

Solar-Powered Drinking Water TAU scientists are taking the largest part in an EU water purification project for the developing world

16 Winter 2010/11 TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY REVIEW

In a laboratory breakthrough, Prof. Israel Gannot of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, is using nano-particles injected into the body to zap and kill tumors. His innovative method was published in Nanomedicine and highlighted by Nature Nanotechnology. He uses an external magnetic field to excite the nanoparticles, which heat up and destroy tumor cells very selectively. The method is potentially fast and minimally in- vasive and could be an alternative to radiation therapy or chemother- apy, which are valuable weapons against malignant tumors but often harm healthy tissue as well. The treatment has proven effective in the lab but must still undergo trials on human subjects. It could be developed for almost almost any type of tumor, notes Gannot, including those of the gastrointestinal tract, colon, lungs and prostate. By using a special feedback technique, also developed in Gannot's laboratory, the process could be further op- timized for individual treatment.

Nano-Based Tumor Buster A TAU researcher has found a new way of detecting and treating cancerous tumors The TAU teams working on with minimum side effects the project hail from the Electrical Discharge and Plasma Laboratory led by Boxman; the Water Treatment Laboratory headed by Dr. Hadas Mamane of the Fleischman Faculty, a former Porter Fellow; and the Hydrochemistry Laboratory headed by Dr. Dror Avisar of the Department of Geography and Human Environment, Lester and Sally Entin Faculty of Humanities.

Planned water research center The specialized cocktail of nano-particles and antibodies is adminis- The project is part of far-reaching tered by injection either locally or into the blood stream. As an added efforts at Tel Aviv University in the benefit, the mixture washes out of the body, minimizing side effects. area of water research, including a If clinical trials are successful, the technique could become a main- planned water research center initiat- stay of patient care. The nano-particles themselves have already been ed by Avisar and Mamane. The cent- approved by the FDA for MRI imaging purposes, but Gannot adds that er’s main goal will be to improve water there is still a great deal of research to be done before his method can be reclamation methods. “Harmful pes- applied clinically. ticides and chemicals remain in water reclaimed by wastewater plants,” says Mamane, “and we’re developing innovative technologies for these plants aimed at enhancing water quality.” From left: Dr. Dror Avisar, Dr. Hadas The center will also provide a Mamane and Prof. Reuven Boxman framework for graduate students re- searching water chemistry. 17 Hand-Held Explosive Detector TAU-developed tool could also have medical and environmental applications

ous types of explosives. Based on na- drawbacks: they are costly, cumber- notechnology concepts, the new sen- some, slow, and often require expert sor is fast, highly portable, and more analysis in the lab. Patolsky’s device sensitive and reliable than sniffer dogs. overcomes these drawbacks. Not only The sensor is generating great in- can it be handheld, but it is capable of terest within the security and defense pinpointing explosives at a distance. communities. It has been licensed Furthermore, in contrast to tradi- by Ramot, TAU’s technology trans- tional explosives sensors, it enables fer company, to Nanergy Alternative definitive identification of the type of Energy, Inc. Nanergy is creating a pro- explosive with minimal detection er- totype based on the patent, and is al- rors or failures. ready in contact with companies that Patolsky’s team is considered to be develop explosives sensors to advance one of the world leaders in the devel- it to the next stage of development. opment of nanometric sensors for the A research team headed by Prof. Patolsky, 35, who made aliyah identification of chemical and biolog- Prof. Fernando Patolsky of the Raymond from Argentina in 1990 and returned ical molecules. These sensors may be Fernando Patolsky and Beverly Sackler School of to Israel four years ago from Harvard used to reveal not only explosives, but Chemistry has developed a powerful University, explains that existing also biological toxins such as anthrax, electronic sensor that detects numer- methods of detecting explosives have cholera or botulinum.

predecessors in that they reduce such symptoms, they too have an unwanted Schizophrenia side effect of appetite stimulation, resulting in obesity. Drug Licensed The scientists’ novel approach focuses on harnessing the beneficial properties of GABA, a naturally oc- curring chemical in the brain that regulates neural activity and prevents Of tremendous potential benefit to suf- TAU’s Felsenstein Medical Research over-excitability. Weizman and his col- ferers, Jerusalem startup BioLineRx, Center; Dr. Ada Rephaeli and Dr. leagues have found a way of adminis- Ltd., which is developing a schizo- Irit Gil-Ad of the Center; and Prof. tering GABA by allowing it to safely phrenia drug based on discoveries Abraham Nudelman of Bar-Ilan “hitchhike” across the brain-blood bar- by a TAU-led team, signed a $365 University. rier by linking it to perphenazine – an million licensing deal with Cypress A generation ago, schizophrenia was efficient anti-psychotic drug that has Bioscience. The new drug improves treated with anti-psychotic medications been in clinical use for decades. “The on current ones because it blocks the that induced severe Parkinson’s disease- new ‘super-molecule’ we’ve designed debilitating side effects associated with like side effects including tremor, ri- seems to be a very efficient treatment treatment. gidity and a frozen facial expression. and it doesn’t produce Parkinson’s The TAU scientists working on the While second generation medications symptoms or metabolic side effects,” drug are Prof. Avi Weizman, Head of are a great improvement over their says Weizman. 18 Winter 2010/11 TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY REVIEW

New mothers are counseled to breast- Organization, which currently sug- feed their babies instead of relying gests that women switch from breast- on formula, which contains cow’s feeding to bottle feeding at three to milk, for the first few months of life. five months. Prof. Katz warns that But now, Prof. Yitzhak Katz from this is the worst time to be introduc- the Department of Pediatrics at the ing a baby to cow’s milk protein, and Sackler School of Medicine has dis- suggests that if a child is not fed for- covered that introducing babies to mula within the first 15 days, they cow’s milk through infant formula should only be introduced to milk can protect them from developing products after a year. cow’s milk protein allergy (CMA). Although more research is needed CMA can be dangerous for babies, to determine how much formula is leading to rashes, respiratory prob- needed to produce the protective ef- lems, shock and even death. Early ex- fect, Prof. Katz suggests that moth- posure to the protein, however, serves ers who are breast-feeding and wish as a type of vaccination. To test the to protect against cow milk allergy effects of cow’s milk formula, Prof. begin with a bottle of formula each Katz and his fellow researchers studied night. the feeding history of 13,019 infants. They discovered that babies who were started on cow’s milk formula within TAU study finds early 15 days of life were 19 times more pro- exposure to the protein tected against CMA than those who Cow’s Milk in cow’s milk protects were introduced to cow’s milk protein babies against a deadly later in their development. for Growing This study will provide invaluable allergy information for the World Health Children

Adult-onset (Type 2) diabetes causes their cancer rates with a non-diabetic colon cancer, is essential for women insulin-like hormones to circulate population of 83,874 people. The with adult-onset diabetes, warns Dr. through the body. A study conduct- study proved that the risk of prostate Chodick. Of course, he says, the best ed by Dr. Gabriel Chodick and Dr. cancer is reduced by 47% in men with prevention is to manage this type of Varda Shalev of the Sackler School of diabetes. However, says Dr. Chodick, diabetes with exercise and a diet low Medicine shows that while this can the interaction between diabetes and in calories.

Diabetes Could Double Cancer Risk for Women Higher awareness and early detection are essential, warns a TAU study decrease the risk of prostate cancer for female hormones tends to increase diabetic men, it can double the risk of the risk of cancer in the uterus and cancer for diabetic women. ovaries. Drs. Chodick and Shalev looked at Higher awareness of these can- 16,721 diabetic cases and compared cers, along with early screening for 19 Leadership

New Directions Harvey Krueger Elected TAU Chairman Deeply committed to Israel throughout his career, Krueger is a leading investor in Israeli companies, and a donor to many Israeli institutions, as well as a pillar of the American Jewish community

Harvey M. Krueger, prominent American banker and global financial figure, current Vice Chairman of Barclays Capital and former Vice Chairman of Lehman Brothers, was elected Chairman of TAU’s International Board of Governors. Approval of his appointment was almost unani- mous. Chairman of “My relationship with Israel goes back to 1961,” recalls the Board of Governors Krueger, father of three and grandfather of six, who resides Harvey in New York with his wife of 58 years, Connie, described by Krueger him as “a woman of remarkable patience.” “I came to the country in my capacity as a banker, and fell in love with it. Israel taught me who I was and what I is helping Israel,” he took on the massive challenge. Now, at was – and I hadn’t even realized I was looking for myself… the age of 81, he spends much of his time and energy meet- Since then I have dedicated my life to helping Israel grow.” ing with old and new supporters of TAU, and developing Over the years, Krueger has played a significant role in the university’s worldwide network of friends. strengthening higher education in Israel – as Chairman of the “Harvey Krueger brings with him a wealth of financial, Board of Governors of the Hebrew University for nine years, investment and management acumen, as well as relation- and as President and Chairman of the American Friends of ships with many community leaders who may be willing the Hebrew University. He also served as Chairman of the to support the university,” says TAU President Prof. Joseph Peres Center for Peace. “I believe that Israel’s future depends Klafter. “We consider ourselves fortunate to secure the serv- upon strong institutions of higher education,” he asserts. ices of such a renowned personality to follow in the footsteps “Israel’s greatest resource is the intellect of its people. The of our former chairpersons. We welcome Mr. Krueger to our universities discipline that intellect. Viable and stable uni- global network of devoted friends and supporters, and wish versities translate themselves directly into a viable, sustain- him great success in his new position.” able Israel.” Concludes Krueger: “I have enormous respect for This is precisely the view that motivated Krueger to ac- President Klafter, and for all he is achieving at TAU, and cept the chairmanship of TAU, the country’s largest univer- I believe we make a good team. Most important, we share sity, located at the center of Israeli business, high tech and a dream: seeing TAU grow and take the leading position it cultural life. Strongly believing that “Tel Aviv University deserves, as a recognized international center of excellence, must remain the great university that it is, and helping TAU research and intellectual activity.” 20 Winter 2010/11 TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY REVIEW

Huowang He and Yan Sun think their year at Tel Aviv The significance of the Chinese students’ education at University will be unforgettable. For these two young, eager- TAU is exemplified by the career trajectories of the six stu- to-learn PhD students, this is a once-in-a-lifetime oppor- dents who preceded them. All of them found influential po- tunity – an eye-opening experience and a launch pad for sitions in academia and government upon their return to promising careers – that is accessible to very few in their China. “Sending our students to TAU has become a tradi- homeland of China. tion,” says Prof. Xu Xin, prominent historian and founder An integral part of their graduate studies at the Diane and Director of the Glazer Institute at Nanjing University. and Guilford Glazer Institute of Jewish Studies at Nanjing “The students’ experiences contribute to the development of University, the year at TAU was made possible by a donation Jewish Studies programs throughout China, which promote from the Glazers of Beverly Hills, California. the Chinese people’s positive understanding of the Jewish “I feel that the Chinese people have a lot to learn from Israel and the Jewish people, especially about maintain- Glazer Program ing the balance between tradition and modernization, a crucial issue in China today,” says Huowang He, who is writing his dissertation about Jewish philosopher Chinese Student Exchange

Guilford and Diane Pregerson Glazer

Martin Buber. Yan Sun, whose thesis deals with the anti-Semitic thinking of German composer Richard Wagner, adds: “Here at TAU we find a wealth of resources and courses about Jewish history and culture. It’s an incredible boost to our research.” Yan Sun and These two young scholars express their sincere Huowang He gratitude to Guilford Glazer, a businessman and philanthropist, founding member of the American Friends people and Israel. We are grateful to the Glazers for giving of TAU and Honorary Fellow of TAU, and his wife, Diane our students the opportunity to study at TAU, with its outstanding faculty.” In line with their belief in Middle East peace, the Glazers also co-founded TAU’s Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies and the former Jaffee Center for The Chinese people have a lot Strategic Studies, now the INSS. They are sponsoring young to learn from Israel and the faculty recruitment at TAU’s Department of East Asian Jewish People. Studies, and are supporting the Minerva Humanities Center at TAU’s Cohn Institute for the History and Philosophy of Pregerson Glazer, attorney and TV interviewer. The Glazers Science and Ideas. Additional TAU projects funded by the deeply believe that a mutual dialogue between the two great Glazers include research on Alzheimer’s disease and the pub- cultures – the Jewish and the Chinese – is highly relevant to lication of the complete works of Zvi Preigerson covering the complex world of today. Soviet Jewry in the 20th century. 21 Leadership

Tauber Initiative

Bringing Israeli Ethiopian Youth into the University Fold

“When I saw the campus of Tel from Addis Ababa in one weekend – Aviv University for the first time, I in what is now known as Operation was overwhelmed. Everything was Solomon. so strange and unfamiliar, but also so Almost 20 years later, still strongly wonderful!” recalls Rachel Balay, an moved by the memory, Tauber recalls: Ethiopian Israeli 10th-grader from “The Jews had to be evacuated imme- Rehovot. She now regularly attends diately, because rebels were about to

classes at TAU as part of the Tauber take over the city. At our request, the Michal Bugala Initiative for the Advancement of President of the United States himself Ethiopian Youth. “I looked around me, asked the rebels to wait until Monday… and they did! The Jews were flown out Joel Tauber saw all the students, and knew that this in every aircraft Israel was able to muster, and by Monday all had landed at Ben- is where I wanted to be.” Gurion Airport. I got there just in time to greet the 200 new olim on the last crowded plane.” Deeply committed to Israel’s Ethiopian population since that day, Tauber and his wife, Shelley, have been involved in several advancement projects, ultimately partnering with TAU to create the unique Tauber Initiative: a wide-ranging educational program starting in the seventh grade and continuing all the way through college that is designed to inspire the next generation of young Ethiopians to obtain a higher education. The project, first implemented in 2007, is coordinated by Rachel Warshavsky, Head of the Social Involvement Unit of TAU’s Ruth and Allen Ziegler Student Services Division, in cooperation with its Student Welfare Unit and the Dov Lautman Unit for Science Oriented Youth at the Jaime and Joan Constantiner School of Education. Activity is continuously monitored by Tauber’s own daughter, Julie McMahon, who, with a master’s degree in education from Columbia University, specializes in programs for underprivileged youth.

This is my Tikkun Olam. The Tauber Initiative – Success in Four Stages • “Thinking Science.” Science and technology enrichment for 7th and 8th grad- The man who made this possible ers at their schools. Results: 98% progressed to continuing programs. for Rachel and 330 other motivated • “Sparks of Science.” Academic enrichment for 9th to 12th grade pupils at the youth from Israel’s Ethiopian com- TAU campus. Results: 100% completed the program and became eligible for an academic preparatory course. munity is Joel D. Tauber of Detroit, • “Reaching Higher” – Stage 1. Intensive assistance in preparing for psychomet- USA, former Chairman of the TAU ric tests required by universities. Results: 80% of the participants were admitted American Friends of TAU and a TAU to institutions of higher education. honorary doctor. For him, it all began • “Reaching Higher” – Stage 2. Financial and academic support for students in 1991, when, as Chairman of the throughout their studies at TAU. Results: Participants are achieving high grade United Jewish Appeal, he was able to point averages. raise funds for bringing 14,000 Jews 22 Winter 2010/11 TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY REVIEW

“I would never have made it this far without the Tauber Young Rachel believes she can follow this path. “I plan Initiative,” says Michal Bugala, a 3rd year student in social to get a PhD in psychology” she declares with unmistak- work at TAU, who both passed the university entrance exam able self assurance. “This is something that was never even and received a substantial scholarship through the Initiative. an option before. The Tauber Initiative has broadened my Last year she served as an instructor for junior-high school horizons infinitely. It has changed my life, my whole future. pupils in a Tauber-supported science mentoring program. My parents and older siblings never had an opportunity “The youngsters were amazing, so eager, so motivated,” she like this, but my younger brother is already following in my relates. “Helping them learn and grow gave me enormous sat- footsteps. He’s in the 7th grade, just starting the program, isfaction, and they were thrilled when they saw us – Ethiopian and he’s thrilled. I’m sure he will go all the way!” university students. Now they know they can do it too! “This is myTikkun Olam,” smiles Joel Tauber. “My ulti- Michal’s achievements join quite a few other impressive mate mission is to demonstrate to the whole world how the success stories, such as Tauber Fellow Dr. Yarden Fanta- Jewish state can integrate Ethiopian Jews into the commu- Vagenstein, the first Ethiopian woman ever to obtain a PhD nity as equals, giving them the full opportunities accessible at an Israeli university, who went on to pursue post-doctoral to all Israelis.” work in education at Harvard University.

Sackler Support

Yuval Ne’eman Chair Dedicated The Professor Yuval Ne’eman Chair in Physics was inaugurated at TAU’s Raymond and Beverly Sackler School of Physics and Astronomy. The new chair, com- Prof. Yisrael Aumann memorating one of Israel’s leading scientists and a founder and Pictured former President of TAU, was es- from left: Dr. tablished by Raymond Sackler, a Raymond and Mrs. long-standing TAU donor and close personal friend of Prof. Beverly Sackler with Ne’eman. The ceremony was held in the presence of Ne’eman’s Prof. Joseph widow, Dvora, and the keynote lecturer was Nobel Prize Klafter laureate in economics, Prof. Yisrael Aumann of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. “This chair is a great honor Sackler School Alumni for me,” said chair incumbent Prof. Yaron Oz, Head of the Gala in New York Sackler School of Physics and TAU-trained physicians from all over the United States Astronomy, which was found- and Canada flew into New York City this past October for ed by Ne’eman. “Prof. Yuval a dinner-dance sponsored by the Alumni Association of Ne’eman was a man of numer- the Sackler School of Medicine New York State/American ous abilities, initiatives and ac- Program. The gala event honored Dr. Raymond and Mrs. complishments, a great man Beverly Sackler, major supporters of the program and of and a great scientist.” Tel Aviv University in general. Over 250 people danced the night away, after hearing greetings by TAU President Joseph

Klafter, Dean of the Sackler Faculty of Medicine Yoseph Prof. Yaron Oz with then Mekori and dignitaries from the Alumni Association, which Rector Dany Leviatan numbers 1,500 strong. 23 Initiatives

Goldhar scholarships Commemorating a Pioneering Female Scientist A new scholarship fund for female physics students at TAU has been inaugurated by Dr. Janina Goldhar, retired TAU microbiology professor and one of the veteran members of the Department of Human Microbiology at the Sackler School of Medicine. The fund commemorates Dr. Goldhar’s parents: chemistry and pharmacy scientist Dr. Mieczyslaw Proner, killed in WWII, and Dr. Maria Proner-Pogonowska who, in 1924, was the first person to attain a doctorate in physics from Warsaw University. “My mother was an extraordinary woman,” says Dr. Goldhar. And indeed, Dr. Maria Pogonowska’s long life – she died in July 2009 at the astonishing age of 111 years and 8 months, Israel’s oldest person at the time – seems to enfold within it several lifetimes. Born to an as- similated Jewish family in Warsaw in 1897, she became a promising physicist, and later survived the Holocaust with her daughter Janina (born in 1929) in the non- Jewish side of Warsaw, with the help of a gentile friend Coster Sculpture The late Dr. and false IDs. Choosing not to resume her academic ca- Maria Proner reer when the war was over, she shared in the running Pogonowska Lighting Up of an orphanage in Warsaw until 1968. Then, driven by a new wave of Polish the Campus anti-Semitism, she made aliyah with her daughter, son-in-law and two young granddaughters – and started all over again in a new country, with a new language, at the age of 71. Remaining active in her old age, she lived to see five Spiral Light, a five-meter-tall lumi- great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. nous sculpture, has been donated to TAU by Ora and Theo Coster, owners of Theora Design – a Tel Aviv based Ora and Theo Coster world leader in the invention and design of games, toys, activities, crafts, dolls, electronic games and novelties. The Costers per- Dr. Janina Goldhar sonally designed (left) with scholarship the unique sculp- recipient Shira Giat ture to honor the memory of their close friend, the late Prof. Bracha Ramot, a hematology expert and researcher, Says Dr. Goldhar: “Looking for a meaningful way to commemorate my Israel Prize laure- mother, my family and I decided to give scholarships to young women who ate and one of the resemble what she had been: female physics students who, apart from being founders of TAU’s gifted scientists, care about the society they live in, and are involved in com- Sackler Faculty of munity service. We feel that this is the right way to honor her.” Medicine, who The first Dr. Mieczyslaw Proner and Dr. Maria Proner Pogonowska scholar- mentored many of ship was awarded to Shira Giat in 2010. The fund will continue to give schol- Israel’s leading he- arships for ten years, benefiting one female student in the exact sciences, with matologists. a preference for physics, every year. 24 Winter 2010/11 TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY REVIEW

The Webb Family School of Languages Building

One of the Webb Foundation’s own contributions to TAU’s growth is the Max Webb Family School of Languages Building, where more than 20 languages are taught, spo- ken and studied. Uniquely designed with an all-glass pan- eled façade and scenic views of the Mediterranean Sea, this structure attracts enthusiastic architecture tourists, and was From their award-winning building on campus to their awarded the Rokach Prize in 2005. international leadership of the preservation of Yiddish lan- The Webbs are passionate about reviving the Yiddish language and culture, the Webb family of Los Angeles has been guage and donated the Anna and Max Webb Family Chair for an integral part of TAU’s history for more than five decades. Visiting Scholars in Yiddish Studies. They regularly support For Max Webb, a prominent Los Angeles businessman Yiddish language conferences, thereby significantly enrich- and philanthropist, supporting TAU and other Jewish and ing TAU’s Yiddish curriculum, and enabling the university Israeli organizations is a way of expressing gratitude for to host the world’s leading contemporary Yiddish scholars. surviving the horrors of the Holocaust. As a young man he was imprisoned by Profile: Max and Anna Webb the Nazis in 18 camps over a period of five years, and participated in the infa- A Half-Century of Impact mous Death March at the on the TAU Campus end of WWII. Immigrating to the USA in 1952, he prospered in the real es- tate business, and in 1962 created the Max Webb Family In recognition of their leadership, both Max and Anna Foundation dedicated to improving the quality of Jewish life Webb have received honorary doctorates from Tel Aviv Anna and in Israel and the United States. “Every Jewish cause is a good University. Max Webb cause,” says Max, who actively supports universities, yeshi- “The Webbs are outstanding philanthropic role models,” vas, synagogues, hospitals, and museums. “But education is says William Cohen, National Chairman of the American my first priority.” Friends of Tel Aviv University. “Both Max and Anna know In line with this belief, Max first got involved with TAU that Jewish education is key to the ongoing survival of the in the 1960s, establishing the American Friends of Tel Aviv State of Israel – and of the Jewish people.” University’s Western Region chapter to raise funds for build- “G-d gave me a gift,” says Max. “I survived, and I’m not ing up the fledgling university’s campus. going to take the money with me. So this is my life.”

English-language MBA program launched in 2009 at TAU’s Recanati Graduate School of Business Administration. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, co-founder of the program Michael Sofaer said, “the Sofaer iMBA program exists today because of my twin brother Philip’s desire to pro- From left: mote greater international understanding of Israel and the Michael Middle East.” In attendance were head of the program and Sofaer, Head of the former Dean of the Faculty of Management Prof. Simon Program Benninga, current Dean Prof. Asher Tishler and many stu- Prof. Simon Sofaer IMBA Benninga dents and staff members. Michael Sofaer attended the event and Dean of with several members of his family, and congratulated the Management Celebrating the Prof. Asher new graduates on behalf of Philip, who was unable to attend. Tishler First Graduating Class “To the Sofaer family we say that you have given us an opportunity of a lifetime,” said the graduates’ representative Fifty-five students from 21 countries were the first Laura Boyanovsky of Toronto. “We will carry this with us graduates of the Sofaer iMBA program – the international for the rest of our lives.” 25 Friends Associations

australia Iran’s Bomb Program The Australian Friends of TAU in First Visit by President Klafter Victoria held an evening with guests of Prof. Joseph Klafter crossed the conti- honor Prof. David Menashri, Director nent on his first visit to Australia. He of TAU’s Center for Iranian Studies, met with veteran and new university and his wife, Gila. His talk was entitled supporters in Melbourne, where he was “Iran, Israel and the Bomb.” The event

hosted by Vivien Zimmet, President of was generously hosted by Miriam and From left: Stera Gutnick, Vivien Zimmet, the Victoria Chapter of the Australian Michael Suss in their home. Michael and Miriam Suss and Evi Selwyn Friends; in Perth, where he was hosted by Geoff Morris; and in Sydney, where an office for the New South Wales region was established with the help of Loss of Dear Australian Friend TAU Governor and Honorary Doctor The passing of Ron Krongold (1944-2010), past President Sam Moss. of the Australian Friends of TAU, was much mourned by his colleagues and friends at home and in Israel. He Melbourne was recently awarded an Honorary Fellowship by TAU Ron Krongold in recognition of his tireless efforts to promote Tel Aviv Annual Oration University in Australia and his dedicated leadership of the Evan Thornley, CEO of Better Place Melbourne Chapter of the Australian Friends for 10 years. The Krongold Australia, delivered the Australian family’s ties with TAU were initiated by Ron’s parents, Henry and Dinah, Friends of Tel Aviv University 2010 who established the Henry and Dinah Krongold Chair in Microelectronics. Oration in memory of the late Yehiel Ron and his wife, Susan, continued this tradition through their support of Ben-Zvi, Vice President of TAU. A pres- scholarships for immigrant doctoral students in microelectronics. Ron was entation of Yehiel’s life at the university a highly respected Jewish community leader and a past President of JNF prepared by his partner, Bella Gerstel, Victoria, among numerous other causes. was shown. President Joseph Klafter represented the University. Sydney

New President Appointed David Dinte, BEc, LLB, MAICD (pictured), has been appointed President of the New South Wales Chapter of the Australian Friends. Mr. Dinte is a property developer with extensive experience in commercial, retail, industrial and residential development, acquisition and management in both Australia and the From left: Bella Gerstel; CEO of Better Place US. A Vice President of the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Australia, Evan Thornley; TAU President Joseph Children, Mr. Dinte is also a Director of the Australia Israel Cultural Exchange. Klafter; President of the TAU Friends in Victoria Vivien Zimmet; and Vice President of the TAU He is a member of the Young Presidents Organization, the Australian Institute of Friends in Victoria Dr. Victor Wayne. Company Directors and the International Council of Shopping Centers.

india

New Association and Chairman Aaron Solomon (pictured) has been appointed Chairman of the newly established Indian Friends of Tel Aviv University. A third generation solicitor, Solomon is Managing Partner at Solomon and Co. in Mumbai, which is headed by his father, Mr. Jonathan Solomon, and which celebrated its centenary year in 2009. Aaron Solomon heads the Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate and Finance arm of the firm. 26 Winter 2010/11 TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY REVIEW

argentina

15 Years of Economics Insight Life Science Conference The Argentinean Friends Association A third meeting in a series of scien- organized the 15th annual economic tific conferences organized by the symposium with the participation of Argentinean Friends took place in TAU’s Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg, who Buenos Aires. Among the participants serves as head of the Israel Council for were Prof. Ehud Gazit, Vice President Higher Education and was special ad- for Research and Development and a prominent researcher of nanotechnology; and Prof. Martin Kupiec, a leading researcher in molecular genetics at From left: TAU honorary doctor Marcos Aguinis, TAU’s George S. Wise Faculty of Life Prof. Ehud Gazit, Prof. Martin Kupiec, Mrs. Miriam Smolarz and Mr. Adolfo Smolarz Sciences. Participants included top researchers and students from the life institutions specializing in nanoscience sciences and medicine who also toured and biology.

From left: Mrs. Polly Mizrahi de Deutsch, Prof. Joseph Klafter and Mrs. Pirchia Klafter visor to the Israeli Prime Minister from holland 2006 to 2009. TAU President Joseph Klafter opened the event and was pre- New President Appointed sented with a silver plaque by President Robert van der Heijden (pictured) has been appointed President of the Argentinean Friends Association of the Dutch Friends of Tel Aviv University. A former Mayor Mrs. Polly Mizrahi de Deutsch. Eight of Zandvoort, Mr. van der Heijden is President of the National economists exchanged views before an Institute of Victims of Asbestos, President of the Advisory audience of 1,300. Board of the Voluntary Euthanasia Association, President of the Foundation for Industrial Heritage Touristic Routes and former President of the National Maror Foundation for Moral Claims of Dutch Jewish Victims of World War II.

Joint Alzheimer’s Meet The Dutch Friends together with Prof. Dr. Philip Scheltens, Director of the Alzheimer’s Institute of the Free University in Amsterdam, and TAU’s Prof. Illana Gozes of the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Director of the Adams Super-Center for Brain Studies and incumbent of the Lily and Avraham Gildor Chair for the Investigation of Growth Factors, organized a conference on developments in Alzheimer’s disease.

Sino-Israeli relations TAU Rector Prof. Aron Shai of the Lester and Sally Entin Faculty of Humanities, incumbent of the Shoul N. Eisenberg Chair for East Asian Affairs, lectured on “Sino-Israeli Relations: Current Reality and Future Prospects” at an event organized by the Dutch Friends and Clingendael – Netherlands Institute of International Relations.

From left: Dr. Frans-Paul van der Putten, a research fellow at Clingendael; Mr. van der Heijden; Mrs. Puah Shai and Prof. Aron Shai. 27 Friends Associations

London

Fourth Annual TAU Arad Talk and Alumni Launch Student Film Festival The TAU Trust hosted a fundraising More than 250 people attended the evening with the internationally re- screening at the Renoir Cinema, in nowned architectural and product de- central London, of four award-win- signer Ron Arad, who was awarded a ning short films by students of TAU’s TAU honorary doctorate this year and is currently working on a sculpture for the From left: university campus. The event was held From left: Edwin Wulfsohn, Ron Arad and Chairman, Prof. Joseph Klafter TAU Trust in at 176, the cutting-edge contemporary Great Britain, art gallery owned by Anita and Poju Zabludowicz. Over 150 people gathered to David Levin; Prof. Joseph listen to Ron Arad speak on “No Discipline,” during which he showed slides and Klafter, discussed many of his works. The evening’s sponsors were Mishcon de Reya and Jonathan Geva and Stenham. Representing the university were TAU President Joseph Klafter and Vice Dan Patterson President Gary Sussman. The new TAU alumni association of Department of Film and Television, the UK had a festive launch at the Arad Yolanda and David Katz Faculty of evening. Bank Hapoalim supported their the Arts. TV producer Dan Patterson attendance and will be hosting alumni hosted a-question-and answer session events in the offices during the associa- with student Jonathan Geva. tion’s inaugural year. Mr. Ian Fisher, a Representing the university were TAU alumnus, shared his own story and President Joseph Klafter and Vice career, emphasizing the significance of an From left: TAU alumni Einat Bester, Aviv Shapira, President Gary Sussman. Sponsors Lilach Shapira and Elinor Yudan alumni community. of the event, which was organized by the TAU Trust in Great Britain, were Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP (BLP); Bank Hapoalim (BHI) and Israeli Scotland House. Scottish Friends Recital Social Justice and Luncheon Prof. Neta Ziv, Head of the Elga Cegla The annual recital and luncheon par- Clinical Legal Education Program at ty organized by the Scottish Friends TAU’s Buchmann Faculty of Law, dis- Association and held at the home of cussed “Competing Visions of Human Jeremy and Risha Freedman featured a Rights and Social Justice in Israel Today performance by two students of TAU’s – A Struggle for the Soul of the State,” Buchmann-Mehta School of Music, From left: Alma Wolfson, Leslie Wolfson, Tal-Haim Samnon, Risha Freedman, Gan-ya Ben-gur at an event organized by the TAU Trust pianist Tal-Haim Samnon and sopra- Akselrod and Jeremy Freedman in Great Britain in conjunction with no Gan-ya Ben-Gur Akselrod. Leslie the British Israel Law Association and Wolfson, Chairman of the Scottish scholarships, and the selection of Prof. Practical Law Company. Friends Association, welcomed guest of Anna Dominiczak of the University honor Lady Stone and gave an overview of Glasgow, a world authority on car- of the Scottish Friends’ achievements diovascular research, to the prestigious over the 30 years that they have been Sackler Fellows Program at Tel Aviv in existence. This included the recent University. In closing the formalities, a awarding of the Sir Alexander and Lady statement from TAU President Joseph Stone scholarships and the Dr. Donald Klafter was read out by Glen Watson, Kahn and Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden Leslie Wolfson’s close associate. 28 Winter 2010/11 TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY REVIEW

canada

Montreal

TAU Film Festival Honor Thy Mother: Shapiro Tribute Gala Close to 500 people attended the The Canadian Friends led by their Among the guests were Yoram Elron, Montreal Chapter’s first REEL Israel National President Judge Barbara Seal, Israeli Consul General to Montreal; Festival. Organized at the initiative of together with Donald Seal and a dedi- Harvey Krueger, Chairman of the TAU six young adults (pictured below), the cated group of community leaders and Board of Governors; and Prof. Illana event introduced students, young peo- volunteers, organized a gala tribute Gozes, President of the Israel Society for ple, supporters of TAU and dignitaries honoring 102 year-old Mary Shapiro to four Student Oscar-nominated films, Kantor. The event was attended by and to the guest of honor, TAU graduate more than 350 dignitaries and distin- and creator of Roads, Lior Geller. Special guished guests from Montreal, Israel guests were Andre Link, cofounder of and the US. The keynote speakers, Lions Gate Entertainment and producer Ms. Kantor’s identical twin sons, Dr. of about 60 films, and award-winning Bernard and Dr. Harold Shapiro, spoke filmmaker Beverly Shaffer. on the role of mothers in Jewish conti- nuity, the centrality of Israel and higher education in the Jewish world, and how family and friends are the foundation of an enriched, rewarding life. From left: (back row) Dr. Harold Shapiro, Donald Seal and Dr. Bernard Shapiro; Front row: Vivian Gala co-chairs Barbara and Stanley Shapiro, Judge Barbara Seal and Lois Shapiro Plotnick opened the evening and TAU Vice Rector Prof. Dina Prialnik de- Neuroscience Research and Director of livered greetings from Israel and an- the TAU Adams Super-Center for Brain nounced that in recognition of his life- Studies. Proceeds from the event will time commitment to TAU, Donald Seal benefit the establishment of the Mary will be awarded an honorary doctorate Shapiro Kantor Neurodegenerative

From left: Ben Goloff, Linda Luttinger, Rob Daoud, of the University at the upcoming 2011 Research Laboratory at Tel Aviv Arik Ollo, Sabrina Dabby, and Rose Gotthell Board of Governors Meeting. University.

Toronto

Economics and Computer Science Screening and Fundraiser The Toronto Chapter hosted TAU’s Prof. Zvi Eckstein of the Eitan More than 125 people attended a Berglas School of Economics, incumbent of the Mario Henrique fundraising evening organized by the Simonson Chair in Labor Economics and Deputy Governor of the Bank Toronto Chapter of the Canadian of Israel, and Prof. Ran Canetti of the Blavatnik School of Computer Friends Association in Science, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, at partnership with the several events held in their honor. Toronto Jewish Film Stanley Hartt, Chairman of Macquarie Capital Markets Canada Festival. Following a Ltd., hosted them at the Toronto Club. Among the guests were Michael reception and address D. Harris, former Premier of Ontario, and Sheryl Kennedy, CEO of by award-winning Promontory Financial Group Canada and former Deputy Governor film producer Robert Robert of the Bank of Canada. Ariella Rohringer and Earl Rotman hosted the Lantos, guests enjoyed a screening of Lantos professors at a dinner party in their home; and Laurence Rose, CEO of Five Hours from Paris, a film directed by (left) and Phil Hart, Cantor Fitzgerald Canada, and Laurence Goldstein, President of Chalet Leonid Prudovsky, a graduate of TAU’s member of Capital Corporation, hosted them for a final breakfast. At these gath- Department of Film and Television at the Toronto erings Professors Eckstein and Canetti showcased the brainpower and the Yolanda and David Katz Faculty of Board of Directors outstanding research being conducted at the university. the Arts. 29 Friends Associations

germany Helaba Dinner Supports TAU The annual dinner of the Helaba- From Shtetl to Stage Landesbank Hessen Thüringen in The German Friends Association or- support of Tel Aviv University took ganized an event in Frankfurt hosted place in Frankfurt. Johann Berger, by Anja and Dr. Reinhard Hermes a member of the Bank’s Board of featuring a reading by actor Mario Directors, welcomed the invitees and the guest of honor and keynote speak- From left: Dr. er, Uwe Becker, Treasurer of the City Reinhard and From left: Uwe Becker; Dr. h.c. Ernst Gerhardt; Mrs. Anja of Frankfurt. The event also included a member of the Board of Directors of the German Hermes and report by Elena Gati, a physics student Friends of TAU, Gerhard Kittscher; and member of Mario Adorf the Board of Directors of the Helaba-Landesbank Photo: Rafael at the Goethe University of Frankfurt, Hessen-Thüringen, Johann Berger Herlich, on the outstanding hospitality she ex- Photo: Rafael Herlich, Frankfurt Frankfurt perienced during a three-week stay at TAU last summer. Poems by Mascha Kaléko were recited by well-known actor Inga Hampel. President of the German Friends Association Dr. h.c. Ernst Gerhardt thanked Peter Kobiela and the Bank for their hospitality. Adorf. The reading, from an autobio- graphical novel by Alexander Granach German Literature in Israel entitled From the Shtetl to the Stage: The annual event of the German The Odyssey of a Wandering Actor, also Friends in Stuttgart took place at included Granach’s letters to his lover. Foundation Federal President Theodor Proceeds of the event will benefit the Heuss House. Managing Director Dr. Ernst Gerhardt Scholarship Fund for Thomas Hertfelder welcomed the guests Needy Students at TAU. and introduced TAU professor and historian Moshe Zuckermann, coordinator TAU President Prof. Joseph Klafter of TAU’s Marcel Reich-Ranicki Chair visited Frankfurt and met with mem- in German Literature, who lectured

bers of the German Friends Association From left: Mrs. Gabriele Müller-Trimbusch, Prof. on “German Literature in Israel in the at the offices of Sparkase Frankfurt. He Moshe Zuckermann, Rolf Sandvoss, and Mayor Past, Present and Future.” Then Mayor reported on university activities and Dr. Martin Schairer of Stuttgart Mrs. Gabriele Müller- plans for the future. Trimbusch reported on her visits to TAU and emphasized the importance of supporting the university. She introduced the incoming mayor, Dr. Martin Schairer, who will head the committee of the German Friends in Baden-Wuerttemberg.

Update on Prajs-Drimmer Institute Prof. Yoel Kloog, outgoing Dean of the George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences and Head of the Prajs- Drimmer Institute for the Development of Anti- Degenerative Drugs, was a guest at an event held in Berlin and hosted by TAU supporter Dr. h.c. Sruel Prajs and his sister, TAU Governor Norma Drimmer, together with Prof. Dr. h.c. mult. Hermann Parzinger, President of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Prof. Yoel Kloog (left) with From left: Ari Schach, Prof. Dr. Klaus Ring, Prof. Foundation. Norbert Zimmermann, Vice President Dr. h.c. Sruel Prajs Dr. Werner Meissner, Prof. Dr. h.c. Arno Lustiger, of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, and Photo: Rafael Herlich, Frankfurt Anja Hermes, Prof. Joseph Klafter, Dr. Roland Kaehlbrandt, and TAU representative Dr. Mati Dr. h.c. Prajs wecomed the guests. Prof. Kloog Kranz. Back row from left: Prof. Dr. Matthias Lutz- screened a film and lectured on his work and the ac- Bachmann, Dr. Reinhard Hermes and Dr. Herman Reich tivities of the institute, and actor Inga Hampel read Photo: Rafael Herlich, Frankfurt out poetry by Mascha Kaléko. 30 Winter 2010/11 TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY REVIEW

Remembering Lola and Marek The German Friends organized an event in memory of Mrs. Lola Fischel and her son, Prof. Dr. Marek Fischel, former Vice brazil President of the Executive Committee of the German Friends and a mem- Prof. Zvi Eckstein, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Israel and incumbent ber of the TAU Board of Governors. of TAU’s Mario Henrique Simonsen Chair in Labor Economics, lectured at a Guests included the chairman of the symposium entitled “Israel and Brazil – Plans and Economic Perspectives.” The German Friends in Hanover and former symposium was organized by the Brazilian Friends of Tel Aviv University together Lord Mayor of Hanover, Dr. Herbert with the Institute of Education and Research (INSPER) and Banco Santander. Schmalstieg, and his two deputies, Dr. President of INSPER welcomed the participants who included the former Joachim Pieper and Dietmar Althof. President of Banco Central Mario Mesquita and other leading economists.

Israel

Business Academic Club Focuses on Turkey, Israel and the US: The Current Affairs and Culture: Business Academic Club hosted Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Architecture Plus: 2010 TAU Danny Ayalon who, together with Prof. Honorary Doctor Ron Arad – archi- Uzi Rabi, Chairman of the Department tect, designer and artist – was a guest of Middle Eastern and African History, of the Business Academic Club. His Lester and Sally Entin Faculty of lecture included movies and a presen- Humanities, discussed Turkish-Israeli tation of a bookshelf designed by him relations and American intervention in called “The Book Worm.” He also spoke the peace process. Among the guests were three Israel Prize laureates from the uni- Amos Shapira (center) with about the Design Museum in Holon, versity: Prof. Abraham Tal (Hebrew Linguistics), Prof. Yair Aharoni (Management Prof. Uzi one of his most recent works. Architect and Administration Science) and Prof. Abraham Nitzan (Chemistry), together Rabi (left) and Danny Dr. Eran Neuman, who was recruited with leading Israeli executives. In welcoming the gathering, President of the Israeli Ayalon from UCLA to the David Azrieli School Friends Association Amos Shapira congratulated the laureates, noting that in order of Architecture, described his successful to ensure the continuation of academic excellence at TAU, it is necessary to con- induction into the university. tinually invest in bringing back outstanding researchers from abroad.

Authorial Authority: Another meet- Democracy in Israel: The Business Academic Club also ing featured writer and commentator hosted Tzipi Livni, Israeli opposition leader, who gave a talk Meir Shalev, who spoke on the crea- on “A Jewish and Democratic State of Israel – The Challenge tive process as well as current affairs. and the Vision,” which was followed by a Q&A session. Special Mathematician Dr. Shiri Artstein- guests at the meeting were TAU’s Prof. Yakir Aharonov, who Avidan, who joined Tel Aviv University was awarded the National Medal of Science by US President Tzipi Livni after completing her post-doctorate at Obama for his achievements in the field of physics; and Dr. Princeton University, participated in the Yael Shomer, a political science researcher who recently joined TAU after doctoral event. and post-doctoral studies in the USA.

End-of-Year Performance The Israeli Friends of TAU, together with their Spanish and English-Speaking fellow members, held a joint event marking the conclusion of the 2009-10 academic year. The event was centered around a performance by the percussion ensemble of TAU’s Buchmann-Mehta School of Music of classical pieces and works especially written for the ensemble. Alon Bor conducted. 31 Associations

usa Evening with National Jewish NORTHEAST REGION Book Award Winner Michael Shaoul, a member of the Solar Energy Boost AFTAU Board of Directors, intro- Jordan Nodel, a TAU Overseas Student Program gradu- duced National Jewish Book Award Michael ate, organized an event at Morrison & Foerster LLP winner Prof. Dina Porat, then head of Shaoul for a group of American Friends and TAU alumni in TAU’s Stephen Roth Institute for the (left) and Prof. Yossi Manhattan. AFTAU Board Member Michael Shaoul in- Study of Contemporary Anti-Semitism Rosenwaks troduced Prof. Yossi Rosenwaks of TAU’s Iby and Aladar and Racism, at a gathering of American Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, who gave a presen- friends at the Simon Wiesenthal Center tation on new forms of solar energy being developed in in New York. Following welcoming re- Israel – one of the areas in which TAU excels. marks by Mark Weitzman, Director of Government Affairs at the Wiesenthal Meet the Directors Center, Prof. Porat discussed organized Tel Aviv met Hollywood in New York as Jewish revenge against the Nazis. nearly 150 Israeli and American Friends enjoyed a screening of three short, powerful films directed by students and graduates of the Department of Film and Television at TAU. After a lively reception, moviegoers were welcomed by Alan

Aufzien, Chairman Emeritus of AFTAU. Adrienne Gruskin, Pini Tavger, Ayelet Vardi and Following the screening, Fox News’ Alon Waks

Jonathan Wachtel sat down with directors Pini Tavger and Leon Prudovsky for From left: Yehuda Porat, Varda Yoran, a conversation and audience Q&A. The event was promoted by the NY Alumni Dina Porat and Shalom Yoran Leadership Committee and the Consulate General of Israel in New York. Business Roundtable Breakfast Bioengineering Our Health An Alumni Toast to Broza New York leaders in finance, banking American Friend Yoram Kinberg or- Nearly 100 guests, alumni and friends and law gathered for breakfast and to ganized a luncheon hosted by J.P. of TAU gathered at the City Winery in hear Amir Efrati, managing director of Morgan Private Banking. Prof. Shmuel Soho to sample the winery’s offerings the Dragon Variation Fund, offer an in- Einav of TAU’s Fleischman Faculty of and enjoy the first-ever performance of sider’s view of the Israeli capital markets. Israeli singer David Broza’s new album, Guests also heard from Harvey Krueger, Night Dawn: The Unpublished Poetry of vice chairman of Barclays Capital and Townes Van Zant. Broza chatted with chairman of TAU’s Board of Governors. Kate Hastings of the guests at a reception before the con- The breakfast was hosted by Paul, Weiss, J.P. Morgan cert, after a tour of the winery. Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. (center), Prof. Shmuel Einav (right) and guests

Engineering gave an overview of new advances in bioengineering such as the From left: Raphael Sutton, Oren Heiman, David use of nano-robots and nano-devices Broza, Alon Waks and Nava Feineizen to repair human biological structures Oren Heiman, of AFTAU’s Northeast on the molecular level, and pills with Alumni Leadership Committee, electronic components that can help thanked the guests for their gener- doctors monitor their patient’s medi- ous support of the group’s Alumni Sharon Carmeli, Ayelet Vardi, Doni Remba, Harvey Krueger, Michael Shaoul and Raphael cine needs. Scholarship Campaign. Sutton 32 Winter 2010/11 TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY REVIEW

WESTERN REGION

Reception for TAU Chairman Krueger Long-time supporters of Tel Aviv University, TAU Governor Carolynne Drori and her husband, Ze’ev, opened their Beverly Hills home to SOUTHEAST REGION an intimate group of American Friends to welcome the newly-elected Chairman of TAU’s Board Mideast Diplomacy in Florida of Governors, Harvey M. Krueger. Following a Prof Asher Susser also toured AFTAU’s cocktail reception, AFTAU Chairman William Southeast Region, speaking on the Cohen introduced Mr. Krueger, Vice Chairman ongoing search for Mideast peace. At of Barclays Capital, who spoke of his admiration the home of AFTAU Board member for TAU and described plans for the future. Guest Jacqueline Simkin, invited guests en- speaker Prof. Asher Susser, Director of External joyed a Shabbat dinner and a presen- Affairs at TAU’s Moshe Dayan Center for Middle tation by Prof. Susser that focused on From left: Harvey Krueger and Carolynne and Ze’ev Drori Eastern and African Studies, presented an analysis the complex issues associated with the of current Middle Eastern geopolitics. An ensuing search for peace between the Israelis and Q&A included questions by Israeli Consul General Jacob Dayan, a TAU graduate; the Palestinians. Among the guests were Dean of TAU’s Faculty of Management Prof. Asher Tishler; and TAU Governor John Bussel and Mark Tanenbaum, Marshall Polk, secretary of AFTAU’s Board of Directors. Thanking the evening’s Dayan Center board members. hosts, Harvey Krueger and William Cohen presented the Droris with a cast replica of “Connections,” a work by sculptor Varda Yoran, a TAU Honorary Fellow.

Mideast Diplomacy in Los Angeles Prof. Asher Susser of TAU’s Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies was warmly welcomed during his Southern California tour, where he shared his insider’s view of the current status of the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. Beverly and Herb Gelfand welcomed him and more than 100 American friends to their home to Prof. Asher Susser (center) flanked by Beverly view their outstanding collection of impres- and Herb Gelfand sionist and Chinese art. At Boca Raton’s Mizner Village, From left: Laura Bussel, Mary Ann and Kip Hagopian also hosted Prof. Prof. Susser was the guest speaker at a Jacqueline Susser at Los Angeles’ Regency Club, where he cocktail reception hosted by Gaby and Simkin, John Bussel, Dora met with more than 30 prominent members of Edward Brill and Judith and Harvey Acherman the Los Angeles academic, professional and politi- Rothenberg. His presentation included and Henrique cal communities. Among the guests were Consul an examination of Iran’s drive toward Chor General Jacob Dayan, former UCLA Chancellor obtaining nuclear weapons. Dr. Charles Young and former Congressman Tom Campbell.

From left: Mary Ann Hagopian, From left: Prof. Susser and Kip Hagopian Gaby and Edward Brill, Prof. ILC Breakfast Asher Susser and Judith At an event at the Riviera Country Club hosted by the Israeli and Harvey Leadership Council (ILC), TAU President Joseph Klafter spoke Rothenberg on “New Frontiers in Biophysics: Looking at Single Molecules,” and took part in a discussion on the future of higher education in Israel. 33 From Tel Aviv to New Delhi Third India-Israel Forum meets to enhance cooperative ties

For the third year in a row, Tel Aviv Representing TAU were President University organized a meeting of Joseph Klafter and Vice President leading public, academic and busi- Gary Sussman, who initiated the TAU President Joseph Klafter and Indian Minister ness figures from India and Israel, in forum, and Prof. Gadi Ariav. Del- of Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal. cooperation with the Confederation of egates met with officials including Indian Industry (CII) and Aspen India. Kapil Sibal, Indian Minister of Human Insurance and Financial Holdings Ltd. Resource Development, who commit- and of Ness Technologies; Jamshyd ted to promoting inter-university ties N. Godrej, Chairman and MD, Godrej between the two countries; Sachin & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd.; and Tarun Pilot; Minister of State for Informa- Das, President of the Aspen Institute tion and Technology; Ramesh Ananth India. Also in attendance were the Mashelkar, Bhatnagar Fellow and Ambassador of India to Israel, Navtej President Global Research Alliance; Sarna, and Israel’s Ambassador to and Arun Maira, who serves on the India, Mark Sofer. The event was Indian Planning Commission. sponsored by the Pears Foundation, The two-day forum, held in New The forum was chaired by lead- Aimwell Trust, the Stanley and Marion Delhi, highlighted potential collabora- ing businessmen from Israel and Bergman Family Charitable Fund and From left: Ambassador tion between the two countries in the India: Stanley M. Bergman, CEO Berwin Leighton Paisner, with dinner of India to areas of clean-tech, life sciences and and Chairman of Henry Schein Inc.; sponsored by Apollo Hospitals and PI Israel Navtej Aharon Fogel, Chairman of Migdal Industries Ltd. Sarna; medical devices and infrastructure. Bhatnagar India is Israel’s second largest Fellow and export market: Civilian trade between President the two countries has increased ex- From left: Chief Economics Global Editor and Commentator, Research ponentially from $180 million in 1992 Yediot Aharonot, Sever Alliance to $5 billion in 2010, and is expected Plocker; Chairman Itamar Ramesh Medical and Yissum R&D and Ananth to triple within the next four years. As incoming Chairman of the Mashelkar; such, the forum was a timely and suc- TAU Executive Council Giora and Forum cessful event. One significant policy Yaron; Managing General Co-Chairs Partner, Pitango Venture Tarun Das outcome of the process has been an Capital, Aaron Mankovski; and Stanley ongoing effort to establish a bi-nation- and MD & CEO SunBorne Bergman. Energy Technologies, James al research and development fund. Abraham.

The Porter School of Environmental Studies held a Porter School Honors conference in honor of the 80th birthday of Dame Shir- ley Porter, who together with her late husband, Sir Leslie Dame Shirley Porter Porter, founded the school. The event also marked the school’s 10th anniversary. The all-day conference featured guest lecturer Rhett Turner, an environmental documentary filmmaker from the US, and presentations on the school’s international research collaborations, student research projects, and activity in environmental organizations within the framework of the Porter Intern- ship Program. A panel of senior faculty members at TAU including past and present school heads discussed the From left: Prof. Pinhas Alpert, Head of the Porter School of Environmen- challenges of further developing interdisciplinary as- tal Studies; Rhett Turner, Red Sky Productions; Dame Shirley Porter; and Dr. Arie Nesher, Director of the Porter School. pects of environmental research and teaching in Israel. 34 Winter 2010/11 TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY REVIEW

Fly the TAU Skies In what may be a first in the world, El Al has signed an agreement with the University to feature TAU student films on its Boeing 777 aircraft. Pas- sengers will be able to view two dedicated channels – one documentary and one fiction. Selections from among the TAU film school’s award-winning films from the last five years, including Student Academy Award nominees, will be changed every two months. Advertising trailers of the films will be run on all El Al planes.

The city of Tel Aviv-Yafo recently of Film and Television, Yolanda and played host to TAU’s 13th International David Katz Faculty of the Arts. One Student Film Festival, the largest such project was an Israeli-Palestin- Rethinking What competition of its kind in the world. ian short film series called “Coffee Constitutes Film students, scholars and industry – Between Reality and Imagination.” insiders were brought together for The universal symbol of togetherness Anti-Semitism eight days of screenings and events. – coffee – was presented in surpris- The new anti-Semitism that arose Despite initial calls for boycot- ing ways that elicited cross-cultural in the wake of the second Intifada ting the event, over 100 students awareness and discussion. in 2000 led to an urgent redefinition of the term, which was drafted and

Producer adopted by the European Monitoring Jan Harlen Center on Racism and Xenophobia in with festival 2005. That redefinition was the focus participants of the 10th Biennial Seminar of TAU's Stephen Roth Institute for the Study of Contemporary Anti-Semitism and Racism held in Paris in coopera- The Best tion with the French Foundation for the Memory of the Shoah. Keynote of Student speakers at the opening session were Simone Veil, Honorary President of Cinema the Foundation and former President of the European Parliament, and Yves TAU invited students from 80 film schools in 40 Repiquet, President of the French countries to compete for prestigious prizes National Consultative Committee for Human Rights. Experts in the field representing 40 countries came to Entirely student-run, the festival from all over the world examined the compete. The event was also at- was co-directed by Noa Regev and definition, its impact on monitoring tended by Oscar-winning producer Hilla Shitrit. “Two hundred students and analyzing anti-Semitic inci- and director Roger Corman (Little from the Department of Film and dents, and its relevance to the future Shop of Horrors), who received an Television worked for over a year to struggle against anti-Semitism. The honorary award for his contribution organize the festival,” says Regev. highlight of the seminar was a meet- to cinema at the opening ceremony “The most powerful moment for me ing at the Quai D'orsay with special of the festival. Jan Harlen, producer was seeing cinema lovers united, en- representative of Foreign Minister of numerous Stanley Kubrick films, joying their time together and forming Bernard Kushner, François Zimeray. chaired the jury of the international friendships, going from one screening competition. to the next.” Head of the The program included a confer- In the international competition, Roth Institute ence on new media and 20 master Binyamin Friedenberg of the Sam Dina Porat classes and workshops taught by Spiegel Film School in Jerusalem won with François Zimeray industry experts from Israel and the Best Film award for Guided Tour. around the world, as well as screen- In the Israeli competition, TAU student ings of special projects produced by Elite Zexer shared the top prize for the students of TAU’s Department Take Note.

35 Student Body Tops 29,000 For the third year running, student Israeli officials, seasoned security ies are aimed at professionals in numbers are up: 1,300 more students practitioners and ambassadors. education, journalism, children's have enrolled for the 2010-2011 aca- • MA in Crisis and Trauma Stud- literature and library science. demic year. About 27,500 students are ies at the Bob Shapell School of • MA in Learning Disabilities at the enrolled in regular degree programs Social Work. Equips students with Jaime and Joan Constantiner and an additional 1,800 are attending the academic and practical tools to School of Education. Teaches executive and international programs. understand the impact of crises – cognitive, cultural, emotional and be they natural disasters, political linguistic aspects of learning dis- New international programs violence or life crises – and to help abilities and is aimed at profession- • MA in Security and Diplomacy at individuals and organizations deal als seeking senior positions in the the Gershon H. Gordon Faculty of with them. field. Social Sciences. Curriculum incor- • MA in Archeology and Archeoma- porates IDF tours and meetings with New Hebrew-language terials Science – interdisciplinary. programs First program in Israel to combine • M.Arch Program at the David archeology, materials science and TAU at 11th Place in Azrieli School of Architecture. nanotechnology to train students in World in Citation Impact Includes four main study tracks: the latest methods of determining According to the QS World Uni- urban planning and design; conser- the exact make-up and provenance versity rankings for 2010, released vation; history, theory and criticism of artifacts. in September, TAU rose from 21st of architecture; and the develop- • BA in African Studies at the Entin to 11th place in the world in terms ment of design technologies in the Faculty of Humanities. This inter- of citation impact per faculty school's new Digital Architecture university program focuses on the member. TAU ranked just two slots Laboratory. history, politics, culture and religions lower than MIT (at 9th place) in the • MA in Child and Youth Culture of Africa, and enables students to influence of its researchers on the at the Shirley and Leslie Porter enroll in courses both at TAU and at individual level. School of Cultural Studies. Stud- other participating universities.

The university opened its doors members of the Dov Lautman Unit to thousands of visitors on Science for Science Oriented Youth and the Night 2010, an evening of fun-filled Student Optics Group, and included Symposium science activities organized by laser shooting, hologram recording the office of the Vice President for and rocket exploding, as well as ice Honors Research and Development. Sci- cream-making using liquid nitrogen. ence experiments were performed by Among other events were presenta- Marcel tions by TAU research- Reich-Ranicki ers on lightning, The Marcel Reich-Ranicki one-to-one meetings Chair in German Literature to- Science for All with scientists, tours of gether with the Minerva Institute the Botanic Gardens for German History held a sym- and the I. Meier Segals posium on Thomas Mann’s nov- Garden for Zoological el, Doctor Faustus. The event Research, lectures, marked the 90th birthday of the film screenings, act- renowned German literary critic ing workshops and a Marcel Reich-Ranicki, in whose concert. The event was honor the chair is named. The funded by the Europe- event was moderated by Prof. an Union and was held Jose Brunner, Director of the in conjunction with Minerva Institute. similar events at other Israeli and European universities. 36 Winter 2010/11 TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY REVIEW

with the late David Bohm. Describing A Leafy the action of atomic particles around Agreement prizes a magnetic field, it is regarded today Prof. Daniel Chamovitz, Head of as one of the cornerstones of modern TAU's Manna Center for Plant Sci- physics. Aharonov is the recipient ences, and Prof. Natasha Raikhel, bama resents of several prestigious Israeli prizes Head of the Center for Plant Cell O P including the Wolf Prize and the Israel Biology at the University of California Top Science Prize. He is a member of the National at Riverside, signed a cooperation Academy of Science in the US and in agreement allowing for academic Award to Israel. collaboration and exchange between hysicist the two centers. The agreement will TAU P enable TAU researchers to benefit The National Medal of Science was from the California center's excellent presented by US President Barack research infrastructure. The Manna Obama to TAU physicist Prof. Yakir Center will be awarding scholarships Aharonov at a ceremony held at the to two TAU post-doctoral students for White House. Only 10 scientists re- this purpose. ceived this top honor for 2009. In his speech to the gathering, which was attended by cabinet members, con- gressmen and top government officials, Obama said, “the achievements of the men and women on this stage today stand as the testament for their ingenuity, their zeal for discovery and their willingness to give of themselves A second National Medal of Sci- and sacrifice in order to expand the ence recipient for 2009, Prof. Amnon Prof. Yakir reach of human understanding. All of Yariv of the California Institute of Aharonov us have benefited from their work." Technology, is also affiliated with TAU. receives the Prof. Aharonov is known for his dis- Prof. Yariv has been a member of the prize from President Prof. Natasha Raikhel and Prof. Daniel covery of the Aharonov-Bohm Effect, Mortimer and Raymond Sackler Insti- Obama Chamovitz a theory that he developed in 1959 tute of Advanced Studies since 1980.

The TAU Prize Rewards Outstanding Contribution students on the team: to the Environment (standing, from left) Prof. Avital Gasith of the Department of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty Itamar of Life Sciences, received the Minister of the Environment’s Prize for Environ- Hason, Dan mental Excellence in the category of “personalities with extraordinary achieve- Carmon and Alexey ments.” Gasith is Israel’s top researcher in the ecology of Mediterranean rivers, Gladkich; and established the scientific basis for the rehabilitation of rivers in the country. (seated, far right) Inna A former chair of the Israel Society of Ecology and Environmental Sciences Entova and a former head of TAU’s Institute for Nature Conservation Research, Gasith has contributed greatly to Israeli environmental policy planning. He helped establish and headed the master’s program at TAU’s Porter School International Math Win Four TAU students made up the of Environmental Studies. He was seven-person Israeli team that won recognized by The Marker financial 4th place out of 40 countries partici- daily as one of the 100 most influ- pating in the International Mathemat- ential Israelis for the year 2010. ics Competition (IMC) for university students held in Bulgaria. All four TAU From left: Minister of Environmental Protec- students placed 1st or 2nd individually, tion Gilad Ardan, President of Israel Shimon Peres, President of the Tel Aviv District with the Grand First Prize going to Court Uri Goren and Prof. Avital Gasith TAU student Dan Carmon. 37 Netanyahu Honors Immigrant Scientists Ten immigrant scientists were honored for their contribution to Israeli science and the economy at a conference held at TAU in Prime the presence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Vice Prime Minister Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman, and Benjamin Netanyahu Minister of Science and Technology Prof. Daniel Hershkowitz. greets TAU The event, which was held in TAU’s Miriam and Adolfo Smolarz President Joseph Auditorium, was hosted by Minister of Immigrant Absorption So- Klafter with fia Landwer and TAU President Joseph Klafter. Among the honor- Minister of ees were Prof. Simon Litsyn of TAU’s Iby and Aladar Fleischman Immigrant Absorption Faculty of Engineering; Dr. Nelly Kravetz of the Yolanda and Sofia David Katz Faculty of the Arts; and Professors Josef Bernstein Landwer in background and Boris Tsirelson of the Raymond and Beverly Sackler School of Mathematical Sciences. Over the past 20 years some 500 immigrant scientists have been employed at TAU, a large part of whom went on to become tenured faculty members.

Egyptian Envoy Gives Talk people Egyptian Ambassador to Israel Yasser Reda was guest lecturer at the Ambassadors Forum, jointly sponsored by TAU’s Daniel S. Abraham Center for International and Re- Connecting gional Studies, the University Institute for Diplomacy and Literature with Regional Cooperation, and the English-Speaking Friends of TAU. The ambassador spoke on the Egyptian-Israeli Medicine peace treaty, bilateral relations, regional peace and the Amoz Oz and A. B. Ye- Iranian nuclear threat. The event was chaired by Dr. Uzi hoshua were guest lectur- Rabi of the Department of Middle Eastern and African ers at a unique elective Studies, Entin Faculty of Humanities. Egyptian Ambassador course being offered this Yasser Reda year by the Sackler Faculty of Medicine entitled “Lit- American architect Prof. Peter erature and Medicine." The course, Eisenman, designer of the Holocaust initiated and coordinated by Dr. Limor Memorial in Berlin, visited TAU’s David Amos Oz Schreibman-Sharir, a TAU graduate Azrieli School of Architecture as guest in medicine and an author, is part of of the Azrieli Foundation and the Wolf a drive by Dean of Medicine Yoseph Foundation, which awarded him the Mekori to impart humanistic educa- Wolf Foundation Prize in the Arts for tion to medical students. The course 2010. The Berlin memorial, which was features leading authors, poets and dedicated in 2005, raised questions literary commentators and encourag- about how to commemorate the Ho- es dialogue on the world of medicine Azrieli School Hosts locaust. Eisenman discussed some of as depicted in literature. Peter Eisenman these issues in his lecture.

Prized Author Visits Campus Pulitzer prize-winning writer Michael Cunningham, author of The Hours, gave this year's Yael Levin Writer-in-Residence lecture at the Department of English and American Stud- ies, Entin Faculty of Humanities. Cunningham read sections from his forthcoming novel and Michael Cunningham joined in a discussion with the audience on writing in America today and the relationship between literature and trauma. In a subsequent lecture at the department, Cunningham spoke about the background and sources for his writing and his relation to past writers such as Vir- ginia Woolf. He was greeted at TAU by Prof. Shirley Sharon-Zisser, Chair of the Department. 38 Winter 2010/11 TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY REVIEW

Dr. Giora Yaron to Chair TAU Prof. Eyal Zisser, former Director of TAU’s Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Executive Council Eastern and African Studies and former Following the recommendation of a Chairman of the Department of Middle search committee, the TAU Executive Eastern and African History, has been Council appointed Dr. Giora Yaron (pic- appointed Dean of the Lester and Sally tured) as its new Chairman. Dr. Yaron is Entin Faculty of Humanities. Prof. considered one of the founding fathers of Zisser has been a visiting professor at Cornell University Israel’s high-tech industry and has years and a visiting research fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. He has written extensively on the

of experience in technological and profes- makers sional leadership and entrepreneurship. Dr. Yaron holds history and the modern politics of Syria and Lebanon and an undergraduate degree in physics and mathematics and on the Arab-Israeli conflict. a PhD in applied physics from the Hebrew University of Prof. Itamar Singer of the Jacob Jerusalem. He holds six patents and has published over Alkow Department of Archaeology and 20 scientific articles. Dr. Yaron has established several Ancient Near Eastern Cultures, Lester news start-up companies – among them PentaCom, P-cube and and Sally Entin Faculty of Humanities, Qumranet – that were sold to large international corpora- is the 2010 recipient of the EMET Prize tions. Dr. Yaron serves today, among other roles, as found- for Science, Art and Culture. Prof. Singer er and chairman of Itamar Medical Ltd. and Qwint. He specializes in the Hittite culture that also serves on the Boards of Directors of Amdocs, Rafael flourished in Anatolia (ancient Turkey) as well as the his- Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., Yissum and the Israel tory and culture of the peoples of Canaan. Ministry of Defense. Prof. Israel Finkelstein, of the Sonia and Marco Nadler Institute of Archa- Prof. Dina Prialnik eology, Lester and Sally Entin Faculty New Vice Rector of Humanities, incumbent of the Jacob M. Alkow Chair in the Archaeology of Prof. Dina Prialnik of the Raymond Israel in the Bronze and Iron Ages and and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact a Dan David Prize Laureate, received an Sciences has been appointed Vice Rector. honorary doctorate from the University of Lausanne, Prof. Prialnik joined TAU in 1984, Switzerland. served as Chair of the Department of Geophysics and Planetary Sciences Prof. Gabriel Gorodetsky, of the from 2001 to 2005, and has chaired the Cummings Center for Russian and East University Committee for Admission Policy since 2005. European Studies, Lester and Sally Entin Prof. Prialnik is a member of several professional soci- Faculty of Humanities, incumbent of the eties including the International Astronomical Union, Samuel Rubin Chair for Russian and East the Meteoritical Society and the NASA Astrobiology European History and Civilization, re- Institute. Since 2001, she has been associate editor of the ceived an honorary doctorate from the journal Meteoritics and Planetary Sciences. Russian State University for the Humanities – the first to be awarded in Russia to an Israeli scholar. Ms. Gail Reiss is the CEO of Israel Prize laureate for Chemistry AFTAU – American Friends of Tel Aviv Prof. Abraham Nitzan, University. A veteran development execu- incumbent of tive known for her strategic approach to TAU’s Riwka (née Schechter) and Iser donor engagement and cultivation, Ms. Kodesz Chair of Chemical Dynamics Reiss previously served as Vice President and Head of the Mortimer and Raymond of the UJA Federation – New York’s Sackler Institute of Advanced Studies at Philanthropic Leadership Group and as Senior Vice the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty President, Development and Major Events, of United of Exact Sciences, has been awarded an honorary Jewish Communities. doctorate from the University of Konstanz. 39 Ms. Orna Cohen is the new Ms. Ayelet Tal is the new Director of Spokesperson for the University. Ms. Development and Public Affairs. Ms. Cohen worked for the last 10 years as Tal was previously the Executive Director Spokesperson for the Israel Medical of Israel Venture Network, a philanthropic Association and Editor of their magazine. organization, and before that, she served as Prior to that, she was Spokesperson for Vice President and Corporate Controller of Shaare Zadek Medical Center in Jerusalem. Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.

Appointments: • Prof. Amir Boag, Engineering, Director of the Advanced Communications Center (ACC) • Prof. Meir Litvak, Humanities, Director of the Center for Iranian Studies • Prof. Adit Ben-Baruch, Life Sciences, Head of the Ela Kodesz Institute for Research on Cancer Development and Prevention • Prof. David Burshtein, Engineering, Head of the Yitzhak and Chaya Weinstein Research Institute for Signal Processing • Prof. Naphtali Savion, Medicine, Head of the Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger Eye Institute at the Sheba Medical Center and Head of the Claire and Amédée Maratier Institute for the Study of Blindness and Visual Disorders • Prof. Oded Lipschits, Humanities, Head of the Sonia and Marco Nadler Institute of Archaeology • Prof. Yoel Rephaeli, Exact Sciences, Head of the Raymond and Beverly Sackler Institute of Astronomy • Prof. Rafi Nachmias, Humanities, Head of the Jaime and Joan Constantiner School of Education • Prof. Yuval Dror, Humanities, incumbent of the Joan and Jaime Constantiner Chair in Jewish Education • Prof. Israel Kaffe, Medicine, incumbent of the Ed and Herb Stein Chair in Oral Pathology • Prof. Yona Keisari, Medicine, incumbent of the Roberts-Guthman Chair in Immunopharmacology • Prof. Daniel Michaelson, Life Sciences, incumbent of the Myriam Lebach Chair in Molecular Neurodegeneration • Prof. Daniel Segal, Life Sciences, incumbent of the Nathan Galston Chair for Anti-Microbial Drug Research Honors: • Bahat Prize for Reference Manuscript, Prof. David Assaf, Humanities • President of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, Prof. Karen B. Avraham, Medicine • Journal of Career Development’s 2009 Best Paper Award, Dr. Rachel Cinamon, Humanities • Tchernichovsky Prize, Dr. Ran Hacohen, Humanities • John S. Bickley Founders Award Gold Medal for Excellence, Prof. Yehuda Kahane, Management • Prof. Rivka Berman Prize in Nursing, Vered Kater, Medicine • 2009 Novartis Prize in Neuroendocrinology, Prof. Zvi Naor, Life Sciences • Israel Physical Society (IPS) Prize for a Young PhD Physicist, Dr. Ehud Nakar, Exact Sciences • Kenneth Rainin Foundation Grant Award for Innovative IBD Research, Dr. Dan Peer, Life Sciences • Sir Bernard Katz Award for Excellence in Research, Dr. Ina Slutsky, Medicine • Chairman of the Israel Society of Ecology and Environmental Science, Dr. Marcelo Sternberg, Life Sciences

The Fall of a Sparrow: The Life and Times of Three Jewish Journeys through an Abba Kovner Anthropologist’s Lens By Dina Porat, Stanford University Press (2009) By Moshe Shokeid, Academic Studies Press (2009)

Winner of the 2009 Simon and Shulamith (Sofi) Goldberg A collection of 17 essays selected from Memorial Award in Biography, Autobiography and Memoir at Moshe Shokeid’s body of ethnographic the US National Jewish Book Awards, this is the first full biog- work, this book draws from published raphy in English of partisan and poet Abba Kovner, an studies of physical and cultural dislocation unsung hero of the Second World War and Israel’s War to examine contemporary Jewish life. of Independence. The book is based on interviews, let- Shokeid takes an in-depth look at various ters and newly translated archival material. Prof. Porat social groups, including Jewish craftsmen is the former Head of the Stephen Roth Institute for the and peddlers from the Atlas Mountains Study of Contemporary Anti-Semitism and Racism of Morocco who immigrated to a farming at the Lester and Sally Entin Faculty of Humanities community in the Negev. Moshe Shokeid is and the incumbent of the Alfred P. Slaner Chair a Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at the Department for the Study of Contemporary Anti-Semitism of Sociology and Anthropology, Gershon H. Gordon Faculty and Racism. of Social Sciences.

40 Save The Date

Please join us for the Tel Aviv University

th b 20 European Conference in Madrid

Thursday, March 10 to Monday, March 14, 2011

Highlights: Dinner and flamenco hosted by theMayor of Madrid  Current Affairs Symposia on Spanish- Israeli relations and conference sessions on “The Madrid Talks”  Evening Gala at the Casino de Madrid, circa 1836  Scientific Symposia onTAU research including nanotechnology and medicine  Cocktails at the Prado and tour of one of the world’s finest museums  Excursion to Segovia, a medieval mix of Muslim, Jewish and Christian cultures

For more information Call Mrs. Ilana Papo at + 9723 640 87 69 or e-mail: [email protected] Accommodation at the Intercontinental Madrid Tel Aviv

University Norway Lay Leadership Herman Kahan Theodore Goloff Chairman Worldwide Chairman Norwegian Friends of Tel Aviv University Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University Montreal Chapter SOUTH AFRICA Argentina Jonathan Osrin Polly Mizrahi de Deutsch Dr. Norman Halpern Chairman President President South African Friends of Tel Aviv University Argentinean Friends of Tel Aviv University Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University Toronto Chapter Spain Australia Isaac Querub Vivien Zimmet France President President Prof. François Heilbronn Spanish Friends of Tel Aviv University Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University President Victoria Chapter (Melbourne) French Friends of Tel Aviv University (AFAUTA) SWEDEN Prof. Peter Seideman David Dinte Germany President President Dr. h.c. Ernst Gerhardt Swedish Friends of Tel Aviv University Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University President New South Wales Chapter (Sydney) German Friends of Tel Aviv University Switzerland Anette Bollag-Rothschild Austria INDIA President Dr. Hannes Androsch Aaron Solomon Swiss Friends of Tel Aviv University President Chairman Austrian Friends of Tel Aviv University Indian Friends of Tel Aviv University UK David Levin Brazil Israel Chairman Dr. Mario Arthur Adler Amos Shapira Tel Aviv University Trust in Great Britain President President Brazilian Friends of Tel Aviv University Israeli Friends of Tel Aviv University Leslie Wolfson Sao Paulo Chapter Chairman Mexico Tel Aviv University Trust in Great Britain Eng. Luiz Chor Dr. Arie Dorenbaum Scottish Group President President Brazilian Friends of Tel Aviv University Mexican Friends of Tel Aviv University Uruguay Rio de Janeiro Chapter Ing. Carlos Spiller Netherlands President Eng. Pedro Simon Gus Robert van der Heijden Uruguayan Friends of Tel Aviv University President President Brazilian Friends of Tel Aviv University Dutch Friends of Tel Aviv University USA Porto Alegre Chapter William F. Cohen National Chairman Canada American Friends of Tel Aviv University (AFTAU) Judge Barbara Seal, CM National President Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University (CFTAU) 42