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Bar-Ilan University Online Newsletter
Newsletter No. 8, June 2017 Board of Trustees Issue

Board of Trustees Issue 2017

New BIU President and BOT Vice Chairs Elected

Prof. Arie ZabanThe Board of Trustees unanimously elected Prof. Arie Zaban as Bar-Ilan University’s next President. Prof. Zaban will assume the presidency in October 2017 when outgoing President Rabbi Prof. Daniel Hershkowitz completes his term of office. Veteran BIU trustees Jane Stern Lebell and Romie Tager were elected Vice Chairpersons of the Board of Trustees.

Born in 1961 Prof. Zaban served in the Israel Air Force as a Phantom pilot in the early 1980s before going on to earn a BSc in Chemistry (summa cum laude) and a PhD in Electrochemistry (with highest distinction) from Bar-Ilan University. Following his post-doctoral studies at the National Alternative Energy Laboratory in Denver, Colorado, Zaban returned to Bar-Ilan as a senior lecturer and served as founding director of the Bar-Ilan Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials (BINA). He is currently the BIU Vice President for Research.

Prof. Zaban has published hundreds of articles in leading scientific journals and has garnered numerous awards for his scientific achievements. His research, mainly in the field of energy, has brought about the establishment of four start-up companies implementing eight of the patents he developed.

“The academic world is changing both in terms of teaching and research, and we at Bar-Ilan view this change as a historic opportunity to advance to the forefront of academia on all levels,” said Zaban upon being appointed president. Prof. Zaban thanked outgoing President Hershkowitz for his contribution to the university.

 

Board Tribute to President Hershkowitz

During a special Board tribute to President Hershkowitz, moderated by BOT Honorary Chairman Dr. Mordecai D. Katz, farewell remarks were made by both the Chairman of the Council of Trustees Dr. Lipa Meir and longtime BIU trustee Dr. David Jeselsohn. Dina Berniker read an original Hebrew poem, and a unique gift – the “Jerusalem Cube” giving expression to the face of Jerusalem in antiquity as well as in contemporary times – was presented to the President (pictured on right) by Alan Zekelman and Prof. Izak Yohai.

 Pres. Hershkowitz receiving award

 

BOT Leadership

Officiating at his first Board meetings, BOT Chairman Michael Jesselson (left, below) welcomed into the ranks two newly elected Vice Chairpersons: Jane Stern Lebell, who has long been active in the Bar-Ilan community serving as Honorary President of the AFBIU and in many different leadership positions over the years; and Romie Tager, Chairman of the British Friends.

Michael Jesselson, Jane Stern Lebell, Romie Tager

 

Yaakov NeemovMemorial Tribute
to Prof. Yaakov Neeman

During the plenary sessions, a special memorial tribute was held for the late Prof. Yaakov Neeman, former Israeli Justice and Finance Minister who served for many years as Chairman of Bar-Ilan University’s Board of Trustees Executive Council. In 1998 Bar-Ilan University awarded an honorary doctorate to Prof. Neeman for his unique contributions to Israeli society, and in appreciation of his vigorous efforts to maintain and promote Jewish unity, and in strengthening Israel-Diaspora relations.

The tribute was led by past Council of Trustee Chairman and mentee of Prof. Neeman, Dr. Joshua Rosensweig, who spoke of Bar-Ilan’s profound gratitude to Yaakov Neeman “for a lifetime of devotion and action on our behalf: as a founder of the Faculty of Law, as a professor who taught there, as a legal scholar ….as a lawyer who offered counsel, as a government representative who supported university studies, as a forceful and beloved chairman who succeeded in bringing about necessary transformative changes at Bar-Ilan – in all of these roles, he was dedicated to the wellbeing and prosperous future of the university.”

Also in this issue:

President's Message - BOT 2017 Issue »

BIU's 2017 Honorary Doctorate Ceremony

Bar-Ilan University awards its highest honor to nine esteemed recipients, including the Rishon LeZion and Jerusalem's Sephardic Chief Rabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar, French philosopher and humanitarian Bernard-Henri Lévy, national sports icon and goodwill ambassador Tal Brody, and the national emergency medical service Magen David Adom, who – together with their fellow honorees – have made far-reaching contributions to Israeli society, the Jewish nation, science, technology, education and culture.

read more »

Gala Dinner Lauds Philanthropic Leadership and Alumni Achievement

BIU presents Presidential medals to leading philanthropists from around the world and Alumni Achievement Awards to university graduates who are making a significant contribution to Israeli society, culture and life.

 read more »

 

2017 BIU Honorary Doctoral Lectures and Events

Focusing on topics ranging from the Vessels of the Holy Temple to Pseudo Deterministic Algorithms, and from the Genius of Judaism to a colorful career in Israeli theater, BIU's 2017 Honorary Doctors spoke on subjects close to their heart while Magen David Adom sponsored a campus-wide Health Awareness Day

 read more »

 

Noted Events

This year's BOT meetings featured the Fifth Anniversary of the Azrieli School of Medicine, a Model UN simulation by BIUMUN delegates, and an off-campus visit to ContinUSE Biometrics, a promising start-up founded by BIU Engineering Professor Zeev Zalevsky.

 read more »

 

Donor Highlights

More than 150 Katz student scholars and alumni unite with their patrons, Drs. Mordecai D. and Monique C. Katz. Nissim and Mira Dahan meet with the Dahan Sephardic Student Scholars and a moving tribute is held for the late Rachel, Haron and Ely Dahan z"l. Gabriella Nasch dedicates an important gift and the Tagers present their annual prize in Jewish legal research.

 read more »

 

Bridging the Gap between Jewish Values and Modernity

Addressing the topic of "Jewish Values in the Modern World," three prominent Israeli scholars provide fresh insights into bridging the gap between our rich, two-millennia-old Jewish heritage and contemporary challenges during a panel discussion featuring Rabbi Dr. Benjamin (Benny) Lau, Rabbanit Dr. Pnina Neuwirth and Midrasha Director Dr. Tova Ganzel. The panel was moderated by British Friends Chairman Romie Tager QC.

 read more »

 
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