2015 Annual Report CFHU Annual Report 2015 B
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CFHU Annual Report 2015 A A Century of Brilliance 2015 Annual Report CFHU Annual Report 2015 B Brilliant Anniversaries The year 2015 marked the 100th anniversary of Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity, and the 90th anniversary of the opening of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Today, the spirit of innovation and possibility that characterizes both anniversaries has never been more relevant. This past year saw celebrations of Einstein’s spirit and achievements CFHU’S TIES TO EINSTEIN: Hebrew University at the Hebrew University, in Canada and around the world. Canadian co-founder Albert Einstein (r) and Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University was proud to spearhead the launch philanthropist Allan Bronfman, who founded Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1944. of the Einstein Legacy Project (ELP), part of the Hebrew University’s Einstein left his entire estate and intellectual legacy to Albert Einstein Foundation, a global series of initiatives that align the Hebrew University, including more than 80,000 Einstein’s story with the university he helped found (see page 2). documents and archives related to his work. CFHU Annual Report 2015 1 Message from Leadership “A University is a place 2015 marked both the 90th anniversary of the opening of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the 100th anniversary of Albert Einstein’s General Field Theory of Relativity. in which the universality Both were rightly hailed as breakthroughs, departures from the past, bright lights ushering of the human spirit in new eras. Both have withstood the test of time: the Theory of Relativity as both a foundational scientific concept, and the Hebrew University as a transformative cultural and finds self-expression.” academic powerhouse not only in Israel and the Middle East, but worldwide. Its research, like that of Einstein, benefits the world every day. — ALBERT EINSTEIN, QUOTED IN ABOUT ZIONISM: SPEECHES Take the Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC), whose research teams AND LECTURES BY PROFESSOR continue to develop discoveries to prevent and treat the conditions — cancer, diabetes, ALBERT EINSTEIN Alzheimer’s disease, depression, malaria, HIV/AIDS — that affect people around the globe. 2015 saw the culmination of Canadian Friends’ successful $50 million fund-raising campaign for IMRIC. (For an overview of highlights from the campaign, see pages 6-9.) With its focus on international and cross-disciplinary research partnerships, the IMRIC campaign marked the beginning of a new vision for CFHU: rather than acting as an arms-length supporter of a far-off institution, IMRIC helped to cement our role as a partner with the Hebrew University and its researchers, and as its strong international advocate. 2015 also saw the launch of the Einstein Legacy Project (ELP), part of the Hebrew University’s new Albert Einstein Foundation, which aims to harness the power of the world’s most visionary thinkers to draw attention and support to the University and Israel. While the ELP had its genesis at CFHU, it is a truly international enterprise, partnering with global Friends of Hebrew University organizations and the Smithsonian Institution. It is being met with the enthusiastic backing of Hebrew University supporters around the world. It celebrates and furthers Einstein’s legacy, as well as his connection with the Hebrew University, in a cluster of inspiring initiatives that may have seemed ambitious a decade ago, but that we now understand as simply a matter of building on the legacy we have created and will continue to create. When Albert Einstein published his Theory of Relativity 100 years ago, it was just that: a theory. In 2015, though, scientists working at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory were able to detect gravitational waves, proving Einstein’s theory about relativity and the ripples in time and space. The world, it seems, may finally be catching up to Albert Einstein. CFHU is proud to be furthering his legacy. Murray Palay Rami Kleinmann National Chair President & CEO CFHU Annual Report 2015 2 CFHU Launches Global Celebration of Hebrew U Forefather In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the creation of Albert Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2015 embarked on the Einstein Legacy Project (ELP), part of the Hebrew University’s new Albert Einstein Foundation. Spearheaded by Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University, this global series of initiatives is dedicated to promoting the scientific and humanitarian ideals of its namesake. The ELP was launched in Toronto on October 21 at the home of Larry and Judy Tanenbaum. Judy is the co-chair of the International Executive Committee, Albert Einstein Foundation, along with Tribal Planet cofounder and CEO Jeff Martin. The inaugural European launch took place in the Netherlands on October 29, in recognition of Albert Einstein’s special relationship with Holland and his professorship at Leiden University in that country. The project was launched in Monaco in January, with forthcoming events in Ghana, Berlin, Washington DC, Hong Kong, Tokyo and India, among others. Albert Einstein Foundation Initiatives The Hebrew University’s Albert Einstein Foundation (AEF) celebrates the famous physicist’s vision of an expansive world, characterized by possibility, imagination and peace. The AEF has launched the following four core projects, the latter three in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution. A series of AEF Affiliate Projects (see opposite page) is also planned. For updates, please visit www.alberteinsteinfoundation.com. EINSTEIN ARCHIVE AND VISITOR CENTER DINNER OF THE CENTURY The Einstein Archive & Visitor Center on the Hebrew University The 100 greatest thinkers of our time — all contributors to Genius: campus will be the first and only museum to celebrate exclusively 100 Visions of the Future — will be the guests of honour at this the life, history and vision of Albert Einstein. The interactive incredible evening on September 10, 2017, at the Smithsonian space will house Einstein’s letters, publications, images and Institution in Washington, D.C. theories and be a global attraction dedicated to science and humanitarian ideals. STEM SUMMIT In September 2017, the Hebrew University and The Smithsonian GENIUS: 100 VISIONS OF THE FUTURE Institution will co-host a global STEM (science, technology, The world’s first 3D printed book, designed by renowned artist Ron engineering and mathematics) Summit in Washington D.C. Arad, will invite the 100 greatest icons, leaders and influencers Featuring some of the world’s leading STEM thinkers and innovators of our time to share their wisdom and visions for the future with — including contributions to Genius: 100 Visions of the Future — the the world. A publishing milestone, Genius will be launched at the summit will showcase both institutions’ innovative scientific work Dinner of the Century. and promote these fields to a younger generation. CFHU Annual Report 2015 3 LEFT: ELP in the Netherlands: The ELP launched in Holland over two evenings in October, at the residence of Israeli ambassador to the Netherlands and ELP committee member Amb. Haim Divon (l) and his wife, Linda, and at the home of ELP executive committee member Shida Bliek (r) and her husband, Peter. BELOW: Celebrating Einstein’s legacy: Albert Einstein Foundation International Executive Committee co-chairs Judy Tanenbaum (l) and Jeff Martin at the project’s Toronto launch. “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” – ALBERT EINSTEIN AEF Affiliate Projects CITIZEN SCIENCE THE NEXT EINSTEIN EINSTEIN 3D MOVIE Citizen Science, led by the Smithsonian Now in its fourth year, this international Finally, Einstein’s story is coming to the Institution, will allow millions of young people online competition seeks to find and big screen. Narrated by Academy Award– around the world — particularly in countries empower the world’s next big thinkers, nominated actor Benedict Cumberbatch, where resources are limited — to use their innovators and geniuses. Entries are this IMAX 3-D movie tells the story of smart phones as mobile laboratories. They’ll reviewed by a distinguished panel of one of the greatest geniuses of all time. become collaborators with top scientists and judges, led by a Nobel laureate. Visit Scheduled for release in 2018, the film will conduct research on issues such as climate www.thenexteinstein.com for more be distributed and screened at science change, fresh water and the environment. The information and to learn more about this museums worldwide, with an expected shelf goal is to identify the world’s next Einsteins year’s winner, Aaron Friedlander. life of 20 to 30 years. while making the sciences more appealing and relevant to young adults. CFHU Annual Report 2015 4 CFHU Partnerships, Highlights & Achievements “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” — ALBERT EINSTEIN, QUOTED IN THE NEW YORK TIMES, JUNE 20,1932 IMRIC-IRCM EXCHANGE PROGRAM The collaboration between researchers at the Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC) and their counterparts at the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) has been boosted by the establishment of a doctoral and postdoctoral research exchange program for scholars from the two institutions. The exchange program, launched at a Montreal reception in May 2015, aims to recruit postdoctoral fellows to participate in common research projects, alternating between IMRIC