Hebrew University @HebrewU

A Historic Quarter-Billion-Dollar Gift to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem! We are proud and delighted to announce the largest donation in the history of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem: a landmark gift of a quarter of a billion dollars (US$250 million) from American philanthropist and investor John Paulson, announced this evening at the University's Board of Governors Gala in Jerusalem. This extraordinary gift will enable the University to expand its research and teaching activities in fields of national and international importance, strengthening its contributions to science, medicine, and Israeli society. The gift will focus on three key areas: - Establishing a new Faculty of Engineering, strengthening interdisciplinary connections between engineering, computer science, medicine, and the life sciences. - Advancing medical and biomedical research and education, including the development of innovative AI-powered medical training models. - Promoting research, rehabilitation, and treatment in trauma and post-traumatic stress, while strengthening the connection between academic expertise and the urgent needs of society. In recognition of the Paulson family's longstanding generosity and commitment to the University, its historic Mount Scopus campus will be named "The Alina and John Paulson Campus, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem." John Paulson, Founder and Chairman of the Paulson Family Foundation, stated: "Hebrew University is also among the most academically productive institutions in the world. Given its quality and productivity, I can think of no more deserving university for philanthropic support than Hebrew University." Professor Tamir Sheafer, President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, reflected on the significance of the gift: "This gift enhances our ability to recruit world-class faculty, support outstanding students, equip laboratories with cutting-edge technology, and transform bold ideas into life-changing breakthroughs. This is far more than a historic act of philanthropy — it is a profound expression of confidence in Israel's human capital and a partnership in building our shared future." We extend our heartfelt gratitude to John Paulson and his family for their trust, generosity, and longstanding partnership. This historic gift marks a significant milestone as the Hebrew University enters its second century, empowering us to continue advancing groundbreaking research, educating future generations, and shaping the future of society in Israel and around the world.

Three years since October 7, its impact continues to shape Israeli society, and the work of those trying to understand its aftermath. In a special episode of The View From Mt. Scopus, Hebrew University researchers discuss trauma, memory, recovery and the questions that have emerged since that day. 🎧 Listen on Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/0jyXXW…

Congratulations to Prof. David Kazhdan from the Einstein Institute of Mathematics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on winning the Wolf Prize in Mathematics. Prof. Kazhdan shares this landmark honor with Prof. Joseph Bernstein of @TelAvivUni for their foundational work in representation theory, automorphic forms, and algebraic geometry, as well as their pioneering role in creating geometric representation theory. Their groundbreaking ideas created vital new bridges across algebra, geometry, and analysis, fundamentally transforming how mathematicians understand the connections between different fields of mathematics. The Wolf Prize is one of the world's most prestigious international awards, honoring scientists and artists whose work has made an exceptional contribution to humanity. Photo credit: Wolf Foundation #Mathematics #WolfPrize #AcademicExcellence

Good news for the carp on your Rosh Hashanah table. 🐟🍎 New research led by Prof. Lior David of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem finds that while common carp are highly vulnerable to a devastating virus, several of their closest relatives are surprisingly resistant and unlikely to drive major outbreaks. The findings could help protect fish farms and freshwater ecosystems worldwide. Read here: jpost.com/health-and-wel… #RoshHashanah #Research #Aquaculture

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has been ranked 89th in the world in the 2026 @ShanghaiRanking. This recognition places the Hebrew University of Jerusalem among the world's leading academic institutions and reflects far more than a number. It reflects a story that began over a century ago with the vision of Albert Einstein and other great minds - and continues today through a university committed to excellence in research, teaching, innovation, and global academic collaboration. Behind this achievement is an entire community: researchers, faculty members, students, administrative teams, alumni, and partners who help make the Hebrew University of Jerusalem a home for people who ask bold questions, challenge conventions, and turn knowledge into impact. For over 100 years, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has helped shape science, society, culture, and public life - in Israel and around the world. We are proud to celebrate this achievement, and even prouder of the people behind it. #HigherEducation #Research #ShanghaiRanking

#Avances |  🌱 ¿Y si las #plantas pudieran producir #proteínas de la leche? 🔬Investigadores de la @HebrewU han conseguido que unas #semillas produzcan una proteína de la leche de vaca consalud.es/pacientes/paci…

Do Birds Learn Like Babies? New Study Finds Language-Like Patterns in Finch Songs alphagalileo.org/en-gb/Item-Dis… @HebrewU #LifeSciences

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem proudly congratulates Prof. @HSompolinsky on being awarded the prestigious 2026 Dirac Medal and Prize by the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP). Established in honor of Nobel laureate Paul A.M. Dirac, the medal is among the world's most distinguished awards in theoretical physics. Prof. Sompolinsky holds joint appointments as Professor Emeritus at the Hebrew University's Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences (@ELSCbrain) and Racah Institute of Physics, as well as Professor at Harvard University. The ICTP awarded the medal for his pioneering contributions to statistical mechanics and for extending its methods into optimization, theoretical neuroscience, and artificial intelligence. By applying statistical physics to neural network theory, his groundbreaking work helped establish theoretical neuroscience, illuminating how collective neuronal dynamics support memory, learning, and computation in both biological brains and machines. #TheoreticalPhysics #Neuroscience #DiracMedal

Congrats to Israeli Professor Haim Sompolinsky on being awarded the Dirac Medal and Prize by the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP)! Israeli research and innovation continue to improve the world. 🇮🇱👨‍🔬🧠🌍 Sompolinsky is one of the world's leading theoretical physicists and neuroscientists. He's a professor emeritus at @HebrewU and a professor in residence at @Harvard.

Gefilte fish comes with some good news this Rosh Hashanah. 🐟 A new study led by Prof. Lior David of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reveals that several relatives of the common carp are surprisingly resistant to a devastating virus and rarely spread it to other fish. Read here: phys.org/news/2026-08-c… #RoshHashanah #Research

A structure never before seen in a solid crystal has just been discovered. An international team, including Prof. Aharon J. Agranat of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, observed nanoscale electric dipoles spontaneously forming an intricate 3D woven network. Published in Light: Science & Applications. phys.org/news/2026-08-w…

Could cosmetic procedures become addictive? A new study led by Dr. Vera Skvirsky, alongside Dr. Uri Lifshin, Dr. Dvora Shmulewitz Sanders, and Prof. Mario Mikulincer of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and ICAMH found that 1 in 5 women who had undergone aesthetic treatments showed a moderate to high risk for addictive patterns. Published in the Journal of Health Psychology. Read here: jpost.com/health-and-wel… #Health #Research #BodyImage

Congratulations to the 129 researchers at the Hebrew University who have been awarded Israel Science Foundation (ISF) grants, supporting pioneering research selected through scientific excellence and rigorous peer review. Our researchers received funding across four major fields: life sciences and medicine, experimental sciences and technology, social sciences, and the humanities. This achievement reflects the depth, breadth, and excellence of research at the Hebrew University. We are incredibly proud of each and every one of you. We look forward to seeing your research push the boundaries of knowledge, drive scientific breakthroughs, and make a meaningful impact on society, medicine, and our shared future.

From tracing the journeys of manuscripts across the Indian Ocean to earning international recognition. Congratulations to Prof. Ronit Ricci of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on her election as an International Fellow of @BritishAcademy_, joining just 32 international scholars selected for the 2026 cohort. Her pioneering research on Javanese and Malay manuscript cultures, translation, and the movement of religious ideas has reshaped how we understand cultural exchange across centuries. #Humanities #Research #BritishAcademy

Congratulations to Academy Member Professor Ronit Ricci of @HebrewU on her election as an International Fellow of @BritishAcademy_ - the UK's national academy for the humanities and social sciences. Warmest congratulations on this well-deserved honour!

Most of us think emotional support means helping someone feel better. What if that's not true? A new international study, published in PNAS, led by Dr. Maya Tamir and PhD student Shir Ginosar Yaari of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reveals that across cultures, "support" doesn't always mean easing someone's distress. Sometimes, it means making space for difficult emotions. Read here on @physorg_com: phys.org/news/2026-06-c… #Psychology #Research #MentalHealth

Read here: earth.com/news/sea-anemo…

Before vertebrates had their antiviral defenses, evolution may have found another way. A new study co-authored by Prof. @YehuMoran, from the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior at the Faculty of Science at Hebrew University, identifies an ancient immune pathway in sea anemones, revealing a previously unknown route by which animals evolved to fight viruses. Published in @NatureEcoEvo. #Research #LifeSciences #Immunology

A new study led by Prof. @efronilab and PhD student Rotem Matosevich shows that instead of flooding wounds with sugar, plants create a localized glucose hotspot to fuel regeneration exactly where it's needed. The discovery could help improve crop recovery after storms, pests, drought, and heat. Read here: earth.com/news/plants-ha… #PlantBiology #Research #Agriculture