The 83rd Meeting of the Hebrew University’s Board of Governors took place on the 25 and 26 October via zoom.
“It was quite surreal,” said Australian Friends CEO Rob Schneider “but nevertheless, an amazing experience to hook up with close to 400 Hebrew University supporters from all over the world to listen to the opening remarks of Israeli President, Reuven Rivlin and Hebrew University President Asher Cohen.”
This was followed by a very interesting interview with famed Israeli author and Hebrew University Professor Yuval Noah Harari – an interview that can be viewed on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HebrewU and on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-xsxJT70IsZSn4EEsFsQmg along with all the proceedings of the Board of Governors’ two-day Meeting.
Australian Friends President Michael Dunkel who is a longstanding Governor and Member of the University’s Executive Committee was delighted that the appointment of Jeremy Leibler and Barry Joseph as additional members of the Board of Governors of the Hebrew University was ratified during the proceedings. “Barry Joseph has had a long association with the Hebrew University as a former Executive Director of the Australian Friends and now as its NSW President” said Mr Dunkel “and his many years of dedication and commitment to the University will be of great benefit to the Hebrew University and the Australian presence”.
“We are especially excited to welcome Jeremy Leibler as a Governor from Australia” he said “as he brings to the table a voice from the next generation of leadership who is already making an impact in Australia”. Jeremy Leibler is the current President of the Zionist Federation of Australia and a partner in one of Australia’s leading law firms, Arnold Bloch Leibler. He is also Deputy Chairman of Leibler Yavneh College, a non-executive director of ASX listed Thorney Technologies Limited and a member of the Australian Takeovers Panel, having been appointed by then Governor General, the Hon Sir Peter Cosgrove, in 2015.
Despite Covid, Hebrew University President, Professor Asher Cohen was able to report on sterling results for the Hebrew University with increased financial support from donors around the world; an increase in the number of students and an increase in the number of prizes and awards.
The proceedings also included an interview with Noble Laureate, Professor Roger Kornberg and French philosopher and Hebrew University Honorary Doctorate recipient, Bernard-Henri Levy. Another highlight was a panel discussion on “Student Life in the Shadow of the Coronavirus” moderated by Professor Mona Khoury-Kassabri, the first ever, Arab woman Dean of a faculty appointed at a university in Israel and a guest of the Australian Friends in Melbourne and Sydney last October.
The 83rd Board of Governors’ Meeting ended with a magnificent musical performance by Bo and the HUJIs – a group of researchers who combine science and medicine with their love of music.
“We look forward to next year’s Board of Governors being able to take place physically in Jerusalem in May to coincide with the birthday of the Rothberg International School” said Rob Schneider – “B’Shana Ha’ba’ah B’Yerushalayim!”
ENQUIRIES: Rob Schneider ceo@austfhu.org.au Tel 02 9389 2825 Mob 0414672183