American Friends of the Hebrew University

06/01/2026

🇮🇱 American Friends of the Hebrew University was proud to participate in New York City's 2026 Israel Day Parade through a digital advertising campaign that showcased Hebrew University's impact on thousands of attendees throughout the celebration.

Featuring our campaign messages, such as "Discovery Grows Here," we highlighted the University's commitment to groundbreaking research, innovation, and education that transform lives in Israel and around the world.

We are proud to share Hebrew University's story with communities across New York and beyond.

05/29/2026

We look forward to seeing the breakthroughs and partnerships that emerge from this unprecedented collaboration!

🚀 A Historic Milestone for Jerusalem’s Innovation Ecosystem 🏙️

This week, Jerusalem officially launched a groundbreaking new chapter in Israeli innovation, healthcare, research, and entrepreneurship 🔬💡🏥. At a festive event held at the Gav-Yam complex on the Edmond J. Safra Campus of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Givat Ram 🎓, the city launched the first joint academic body of its kind in Israel, established as part of the Jerusalem Innovation District 🌍.

The initiative is a strategic collaboration between:
🏛️ The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
🏥 Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem
⚙️ Azrieli College of Engineering Jerusalem (עזריאלי מכללה אקדמית להנדסה ירושלים)
📚 Jerusalem College of Technology (JCT) - Lev Academic Center
Together with: Jerusalem Municipality & The Jerusalem Development Authority (JDA) 🏙️📈

This unprecedented platform bridges academia, healthcare, industry, and entrepreneurship 🤝 to promote applied research, tech commercialization, startup creation, human capital, and ecosystem connections 🌐.

The event was attended by:
👤 Moshe Leon, Mayor of Jerusalem; Prof. Oron Shagrir, Rector of the Hebrew University; Dr. Alon Stopel, Chairman of the Innovation Authority; Tzachi Namir, CEO of JDA; and leading figures from Israel’s ecosystem.

💬 Official Greetings:

📜 President Isaac Herzog: “The Jerusalem Innovation District is a promise that will propel Jerusalem forward. Its strength lies in the unique synergy created between the city’s institutions—science, engineering, medicine, entrepreneurship, and culture sharing one space.”

🏙️ Mayor Moshe Leon: “Jerusalem continues to strengthen its position as a global leader in innovation. The District creates a unique ecosystem where ideas become real solutions with international impact.”

🎓 Prof. Tamir Sheafer, President of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem: “This collaboration will create synergy between Jerusalem’s academic institutions. It will strengthen the scientific ecosystem and position the District as a central engine for growth.”

Pics: Dana Bar Siman Tov
Production: NITZOZOT PRODUCTIONS

המרכז הרפואי שערי צדק עזריאלי מכללה אקדמית להנדסה ירושלים המרכז האקדמי לב
עיריית ירושלים iTravelJerusalem Dana Bar Siman Tov ניצוצות הפקת אירועים

05/27/2026

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem recently hosted the first-ever International Conference on Jewish Education in Israel and the Diaspora, bringing together global scholars, educators, and communal leaders to discuss educational responses to antisemitism, Jewish peoplehood, resilience after October 7, Israel–Diaspora relations, and the growing role of AI in Jewish learning.

Learn more about this important initiative from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

05/26/2026

What happens inside the body as Type 2 diabetes develops over time?

New research from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, published in Nature Metabolism, reveals how pancreatic beta cells continuously adapt throughout life to regulate blood sugar—and how this process may eventually become overwhelmed under chronic metabolic stress.

The study suggests that Type 2 diabetes may not begin with sudden beta-cell failure, but rather through a gradual loss of function after years of sustained adaptation.

By understanding how these cells respond to aging and stress, researchers hope to support future therapies that preserve beta-cell resilience and slow disease progression.

Read more:

May 14, 2026 - More than half a billion people worldwide are living with diabetes, the vast majority with Type 2 diabetes (T2D), a chronic condition that

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, American Friends of the Hebrew University honors and remembers the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.

Today, we reflect with gratitude, remembrance, and respect.

05/24/2026

What if the evolution of the brain helped shape the course of life on Earth? 🧠

New research from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem offers a fresh perspective on the Cambrian Explosion, the pivotal period over 500 million years ago when animal diversity rapidly expanded.

Published in BioEssays, the study proposes that increasingly complex brains may have played a key role in enabling the development of more advanced body structures, behaviors, and ecological adaptations.

By reframing evolution as a gradual series of interconnected stages rather than a single sudden event, this research opens new avenues for understanding the origins of animal diversity.

Read more:

May 8, 2026 - For decades, scientists have sought to explain the so-called “Cambrian Explosion,” a pivotal period over 500 million years ago when a

05/22/2026

What happens when artificial light changes animal behavior? 💡

Researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem have documented a never-before-seen phenomenon in which thousands of isopods, also known as woodlice or pill bugs, form massive synchronized circular processions under streetlights.

Published in Ecology and Evolution, the study found that artificial white light can create a “trap,” drawing the creatures into self-sustaining swirling formations that may leave them vulnerable to predators and waste critical energy needed for survival.

The findings offer a striking example of how light pollution can unexpectedly disrupt natural ecosystems and animal behavior.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4nrIOTj

May 14, 2026 - A new study led by Ph.D. student Idan Sheizaf, under the guidance of Prof. Ariel Chipman from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU), has

05/21/2026

The Spring 2026 edition of AFHU News (Volume 37) is here!

This edition highlights:
✨ A powerful story of medicine, philanthropy, and legacy through the UCLA-Hebrew University Meldola-Fallek Medical Student Exchange Program
✨ Stories of student connection, leadership, and belonging across HU campuses
✨ Breakthrough HU research in AI, cancer, brain science, and sustainable energy
✨ AFHU leadership milestones, community events, and the next generation of emerging leaders

👉 Read the latest issue now: https://isu.pub/0A8P83f

We invite you to share this digital publication with your family and friends, and we thank you for supporting the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

05/21/2026

Chag Shavuot Sameach!

As we mark this season of harvest and the renewal of the land, we also recognize the remarkable growth taking place across the Hebrew University community. In HU's classrooms, labs, and shared spaces, the seeds of curiosity continue to flourish—becoming bold ideas, meaningful discoveries, and the next generation of leaders.

Wishing you a joyful holiday filled with inspiration, renewal, and pride in all that dedication and learning can produce.

Chag Shavuot Sameach!

Just as we celebrate the blossoming of the land and the harvesting of the early crops, we take this time to recognize the incredible growth of our students. At the Hebrew University, the seeds of curiosity planted in our classrooms and labs are constantly maturing into the innovative ideas and leadership that define our community.

Wishing you a holiday filled with renewal and the pride that comes with seeing hard work reach its full potential.

05/20/2026

AFHU joins the HU community in sharing the grief of the Sapir family following the death of Res. Maj. Itamar Sapir, who fell in battle. Itamar was a student at HU's Rachel and Selim School of Computer Science and Engineering and in the Department of Statistics and Data Science at the Faculty of Social Sciences. We extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones during this immensely difficult time. May his memory be a blessing.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem community shares the grief of the Sapir family following the death of Res. Maj. Itamar Sapir, who fell in battle in Lebanon. Itamar was a student at our School of Engineering and Computer Sciences as well as in the Department of Statistics and Data Science in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University.

We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends.