Program

Saturday, June 14

9:00am-10:00am:  This is How it Began - The Role of Albert Einstein: A Lecture by Prof. Hanoch Gutfreund (King David Hotel)

10:30am-12:30pm: Two walking tours in Jerusalem marking 100 years, with a focus on sites related to the University:

Route #1

Stop 1 - Terra Sancta College – base of the University after 1948

Stop 2 – Jewish Agency, World Zionist Organization – significant sponsors and pushers for Zionist University

Stop 3- Yeshurun Synagogue, location of National and Hebrew University Library

Stop 4- Ratisbonne Monastery , location of Hebrew University Law School and Statistics Department

Walk back to the hotels via Independence Park

Route #2

Stop 1: The King David Hotel – site of the Math department

Stop 2: Safra Square – site of the Zoology Department

Stop 3: The Russian Compound, including the Consulate Building – site of the Medical and Dental Schools, laboratories, and School of Pharmacy

Stop 4: The Italian Hospital – previously the Faculty of Medicine and home of some laboratories

Return to the hotel via King David St.

1-2:30 pm: Buffet lunch at the King David Hotel

4-5:30 pm: "Future Pioneers: An Afternoon with Young Brilliant Scientists" - Showcasing the Next Generation of Innovators at the Hebrew University (King David Hotel) Panel Participants: Libby Pash, Nadav Mihov, Yonathan Schwartz, Shira Eisenstein, Noa Kuint, and Nattaf & Yadid Bar-Asher Siegal. Moderator: Niv Gronovich

8:30-11 pm: Opening event marking 100 Years of the Hebrew University - Includes A Call for Hope – a powerful photography exhibit documenting the public struggle to return the hostages taken on October 7, 2023—58 of whom remain in captivity. Created by the volunteer Photographers’ Squadron – Sayeret and presented with the Social Engagement Unit, the exhibit reflects a nation’s grief, resilience, and hope. (Entrance Plaza of the Edmond J. Safra Campus)

Sunday, June 15 

8:30-9:00 am: Executive Committee (for members only) Room C-321, The Rachel and Selim Benin School of Computer Science & Engineering, Edmond J. Safra Campus

9:15-10:45 am: University President's Plenary (The Brindell and Milton Gottlieb Auditorium, The Rachel and Selim Benin School of Computer Science & Engineering, Edmond J. Safra Campus). This session will include the election of the new president and a presentation by the rector.

11:00 am-1:15 pm: Marking 100 Years of Innovation at the Hebrew University  Featuring a guest lecture by Prof. Amir Yaron, Governor of the Bank of Israel and an interview with Eyal Waldman, Founder of Mellanox Technologies and Israel Prize Recipient (Wise Auditorium, Edmond J. Safra Campus)

The Awarding of the Annual Asper Prize (Wise Auditorium, Edmond J. Safra Campus)

1:30pm-2:45pm: Luncheon (Palm Beach Courtyard, Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences)

3:00-4:00: Inauguration of Gav-Yam Hebrew Campus (Edmond J. Safra Campus)

5:30-7:30 pm: HUJI Connect: Meet members of the University community, while enjoying a shuk-style dinner (Stanley Langendorf Plaza. Mount Scopus Campus)

7:30-10 pm: A reenactment ceremony of the historic 1925 opening of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, followed by a special performance by the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Yaron Gottfried and featuring award-winning singer Miri Mesika (The Rothberg Amphitheater, Mount Scopus Campus).

Monday, June 16 

8:30-9:30 am: The Benefactors Breakfast (Simon and Rose Mandel Garden, Mount Scopus Campus)

9:45-11 am: Wall of Benefactors Inscription Ceremony (Nancy S. and Lawrence E. Glick Observation Plaza, Mount Scopus Campus)

11:30 am-1:00 pm: Ceremony Conferring Honorary Fellowships (Handler Auditorium (Truman Institute), Mount Scopus Campus)

1- 2:30 pm: Luncheon in Honor of the Recipients of Honorary Doctorates and the Bublick & Rothberg Prizes at the Dan Jerusalem Hotel

3-4:30 pm: Tribute to the Recipients of Honorary Doctorates and the Bublick & Rothberg Prizes (Ezequiel Liwerant-Fomento Mexico Hall, Mount Scopus Campus) Moderator: Dr. Hila Korach

6pm-8:00pm - Convocation Ceremony (The Rothberg Amphitheatre, Mount Scopus Campus) Moderators: Ofer Hadad and Dr. Hila Korach

7:45pm - Friends Associations Events

Tuesday, June 17 

8:15-9:15am: Campaign Cabinet Meeting (for members only) - King David Hotel

11 am- 12:00 pm: Exclusive Event at the President Isaac Herzog's Residence. 

Featuring a panel discussion: Knowledge in Action: The Role of Academia Locally and Globally
With panelists Gail Asper, Prof. Sara Cohen, Dr. Renana Keydar, Prof. Mona Khoury, and Sheryl Schwartz
Moderated by Ambassador Yossi Gal

12:30 - 1:30 pm: Lunch (The Van Leer Jerusalem Institute)

2:00 - 3:30 pm: Creative Minds & Intelligent Machines: Artificial Intelligence, Art, & Global Diplomacy in the Digital Age: Panel discussion with Prof. Haim Sompolinsky (Brain Prize for his pioneering contributions to computational and theoretical neuroscience), Michal Rovner (Israeli contemporary artist), and Amb. Daniel C. Kurtzer (Former United States Ambassador to Israel). Moderated by: Prof. Yehuda Neumark | Head, Authority for Research Students - Experimental Sciences (Van Leer Auditorium)

8:00-11 pm: Gala Event at the Tower of David, including an artistic display marking 100 years of Hebrew University

Friday, June 13

6:45-7:30 - Kabbalat Shabbat (Rooftop, The Waldorf Astoria Jerusalem)

7:45-10:30 pm: Friday Night Dinner (The Waldorf Astoria Ballroom)

Wednesday, June 18

8:15-9:45 am - Wall of Life Inscription Ceremony ( Mount Scopus Campus)

10:00 am - Departure to Rehovot

11:00-12:45pm - Academic Achievements Award Ceremony and the awarding of: The Kaye Innovation Award, The Polonsky Prize, The Klachky Prize, The Andre Cohen Deloro Award, and The Prusiner-Abramsky Research Award (Ariowitsch Auditorium)

1:00–4:00 PM | HUJI Market: Supporting the South & North (including Lunch)
Experience innovation, resilience, and community impact at the HUJI Market — a vibrant afternoon of exhibits, interactive displays, and short lectures that highlight how Hebrew University students, researchers, and partners are advancing sustainability, food security, and regional recovery. Enjoy lunch as you explore the following:

Featured Talks:

Dr. Shira Bukchin-Peles – The Human Factor of Food Security: From Insight to Impact
An exploration of the behavioral and social aspects of food security, focusing on how human decision-making and community engagement can transform global challenges into tangible, local solutions.

Prof. Berta Sivan – From Genes to Aquaculture
Dive into the world of aquaculture as Prof. Sivan shares how genetic innovation is reshaping sustainable fish farming, contributing to global food systems and ecological balance.

Prof. Ofra Benny – Bio-convergence Approaches for Lab-Made Animal Tissues
Discover cutting-edge biomedical research that fuses biology and engineering to create lab-grown animal tissues — a promising path toward ethical, sustainable food alternatives and medical applications.

Interactive Exhibits & Demonstrations:

Bridging Communities: Bee Discovery with Ofakim High School
Step into the buzzing world of honey bees with students from Ofakim, collaborating with scientists at the B. Triwaks Bee Research Center. Through hands-on exploration, these young researchers delve into the social behavior, cognitive abilities, and ecological importance of bees — building bridges between communities through science.

Sustainable Bites: Student Innovations from Waste to Table
Discover how HUJI undergraduates are turning food industry waste into value. Using principles of sustainability and circular economy, students have developed resource-efficient food products that reduce environmental impact — proving that science and creativity can transform waste into nourishment.

Let Food Be Thy Medicine: Molecular Breeding for Healthier Crops
Explore a breakthrough from Prof. Alexander Vainstein’s lab: molecular breeding technology that tailors crops for enhanced nutritional and pharmaceutical value. Learn how this innovation led to CapsiBreed LTD — and to novel varieties of peppers and lettuce that are as healthful as they are flavorful.

Cultivating the Future: Reviving Sesame from Field to Fork
A crop with a 5,000-year legacy is getting a 21st-century upgrade. The Peleg Lab’s pioneering work has produced high-yield, machine-harvestable sesame varieties with superior oil quality and flavor. These advancements are now benefiting Israeli farmers and bringing locally grown sesame oil, tahini, and grains to market — especially in the South.

From Cells to Steaks: The Science Behind Cultivated Meat
What if we could eat the cow — without harming it? See how researchers grow real muscle and fat tissues in the lab, aiming to revolutionize food with sustainable, animal-free cultivated meat. A live demonstration reveals how cells form the building blocks of tomorrow’s dinner plate.

From Crisis to Comeback: HUBS Aid Lifts Up Border Businesses
The HUBS Aid project mobilizes HUJI students, alumni, and faculty to support small businesses affected by the Iron Swords war. Through strategic recovery plans in finance, logistics, and marketing, 90 businesses — from Ofakim to Kiryat Shmona — are finding their way forward. Led by Prof. Renana Peres, winner of the 2024 Landau Award, this initiative exemplifies academic-led resilience and impact.

4:00 - 5:45 pm - Dedication of The Sheldon Lavin Center for Safe, Secure, and Sustainable Food Systems - dedication followed by cocktails

6:00 pm - Returning to Jerusalem

Thursday, June 19 

9:00 - 10:15 am - Dedication Ceremonies - Mount Scopus (including the inscriptions on the Founders Wall, Legacy Tree and Wall for Endowed Chairs) (Litwinsky Senate Hall, Mount Scopus)

10:30-11:15am - Unveiling Ceremony of the new Recognition Wall for the Tradition of Innovation Campaign (Mount Scopus Campus)

11:30 - 12:30pm - Recognition Ceremony for Professor Haim Sompolinsky for winning the prestigious Brain Prize (Litwinsky Senate Hall, Mount Scopus Campus)

1:00 - 2:30 pm - Lunch at Dan Jerusalem Hotel

3:00 - 4:00 pm - Dedication Ceremony: Newly Renovated 6th Floor – Social Sciences & Business Buildings 

4:30 - 5:30 pm - Marking 50 years of the Israel Institute for Advanced Studies – (Wise Auditorium, Edmond J. Safra Campus)

5:30 -8:00 pm -  Open Day with groups of alumni from all faculties (Edmond J. Safra Campus)

8:00-11pm - Mega Alumni Event featuring a special concert by Hatikva 6 with Avraham Tal (The National & University Sports Stadium in honor of Charles Grosberg (Cosell Athletic Stadium), Edmond J. Safra Campus)