AUSTFHU Year book 2022/2023

Once again, we are delighted to bring you our Yearbook in both an electronic version and for those that still like to ‘hold a copy in their hands’ we have a limited number of hard copies available from our office.

The last few years have not been easy with the ebb and flow of the Covid 19 pandemic along with economic pressures brought on by the war in the Ukraine and rising inflation in Australia.

I, personally, was very happy to see the end of 2022 and to note that for the Australian Friends, it ended on a high with the visit to Australia in late November/early December of Professor Asher Cohen, President of the Hebrew University, Professor Oron Shagrir, Vice President for International Affairs and our keynote speaker, Professor Ya’akov Nahmias, Director of the Alexander Grass Centre for Bioengineering. There will be more about the visit of these gentlemen and the events that were part of the visit later in the Yearbook.

Our Yearbook features some of the amazing work and activities that took place both in Israel and here in Australia. Despite the challenges of the last few years, the Hebrew University continued to be “a shining light unto the nations” and we, as the Australian Friends are proud to represent Israel’s and indeed one of the world’s premier institutions of higher learning here “Down Under.”

We were delighted to participate in person in the 2022 Board of Governors meeting in Jerusalem and the 2023 meeting is especially auspicious for us as for the first time in many years, one of our own, the indomitable Professor Leon Mann AO from Melbourne will be receiving an honorary doctorate for both for his myriad of contributions to academic life in Australia but importantly for the role he has played in building ties between Australia and the Hebrew University.

I would also like to welcome new staff members who have joined us in the past year, in particular Linda Kugel and Jayden Adler in Sydney, Yif’at Biran in Melbourne and Talia Raphaely in Perth. I also thank staff both past and current who helped ensure that the events staged during our Israeli guests visits achieved the best possible outcomes.

I also wish to thank Shira Halberstadt for the design of our Yearbook and to Philip Joel of Kwik Kopy who always goes the extra mile for us.

We would not be able to produce this Yearbook without the support of our advertisers many of whom have advertised with us for more than 20 years so a very big thank you for your continued support.

Finally, to our members, donors and supporters throughout Australia, we are most appreciative of your friendship and donations to medical research through Hebrew U Health Promotions or for student support for Australian students wishing to study at the Hebrew University through our scholarship fund both of which entities offer Australian donors tax deductibility.

We hope you will enjoy our 2023 Yearbook and that with your support, we will ensure that the Hebrew University continues as Israel’s pre-eminent university top ranked international university!

Thank you for your continuing support and friendship.

Wishing you good health

ROBERT SCHNEIDER Chief Executive Officer