Tel Aviv University Celebrates 50 Years In Higher Education
Thursday, June 29, 2006
By: Jennifer Walsh

Weeklong Series Of Events in NYC Highlighted Accomplishments, Growth of World's Largest Jewish University

New York, NY Tel Aviv University (TAU) and the American Council, hosted a series of events in New York City last week to celebrate its 50th anniversary, culminating with a Jubilee Anniversary Gala on June 14 at the Waldorf = Astoria Hotel. 

The celebration attracted hundreds from around the world to talk of past TAU accomplishments and to set the stage for another half century of educating the best and the brightest.  From its beginnings as a small community college, TAU has become the largest, most diverse Jewish University in the world.

“We wanted to recognize the many friends and supporters of TAU over the years, especially the people who have committed their time and resources to make the University a special place, and to insure that Israel has a pipeline of talented leaders in all fields for a new generation,” said Robert M. Schrayer, Chairman, TAU: American Council.

Among the highlights of the Jubilee Anniversary Gala were an address by keynote speaker James D. Wolfensohn, Chairman of Wolfensohn Company LLC, as well as presentations of the President’s Award to:

·         Dov Lautman Chairman of the Board & CEO, Delta Galil Industries Ltd. and Chairman, Executive Council, Tel Aviv University.  Well known for his work in promoting peace between Arabs and Jews, Lautman was honored for setting an exceptional personal example for the University’s lay leadership, which he enriched with his business expertise and spirit of public service.  He was also recognized for his role in steering the University through a period of financial rehabilitation, management restructuring and strategic planning as well as his promotion of outstanding student scholarship through the Adi Lautman Program.

·         Bernard Lewis Cleveland E. Dodge Professor of Near Eastern Studies Emeritus, Princeton University and Visiting Fellow, Sackler Institute of Advanced Studies, Tel Aviv University.  Established as a renowned Islamist scholar, Lewis was acknowledged for his remarkable 60-year career as one of the world’s greatest historians and most influential voice on the Middle East and Islam and for serving as a role model for all academics through his rigor, insight, open mind and broad perspective.

·         Michael H. Steinhardt Managing Member, Steinhardt Management LLC and Chairman, International Board of Governors, Tel Aviv University.  Respected for his dedication in promoting Jewish education, Steinhardt was honored for his wise guidance of the University during years of economic and security crises in Israel and for bringing his talents and high international standing in the business and Jewish world to TAU.

“These men have worked tirelessly for Tel Aviv University and understand that a strong, diverse, institution of higher education in Israel is key to the nation’s long-term stability,” said Schrayer, describing the President’s Award honorees.

Another highlight of the week was the Tikkun Olam Project Workshop on Sunday, June 11, in which 25 leaders from organizations from around the world met to explore the development of the Tikkun Olam Jewish-Israeli agenda.  The Project is an effort to expand international aid to developing countries from the Jewish community and to strengthen connections among Jewish generations around the world.

In addition, during the week, a number of board meetings were held for various TAU departments and schools, including the The Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies and The Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies.  Also, the Harold Hartog School of Government and Policy held its inaugural advisory board meeting.

With almost 30,000 students, more that 100 departments, and 5,000 ongoing research projects, Tel Aviv University is Israel’s largest and most comprehensive center of higher learning and the largest Jewish university in the world.