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Bar-Ilan University chosen to launch Israel's newest medical school
Architectural rendering of the School of Medicine.
The Israel Council for Higher Education has chosen Bar-Ilan University to launch the country's newest school of medicine. The Bar-Ilan Faculty of Medicine will be located in the northern Galilee town of Safed. Read more.
Two-state solution alternatives explored at BESA Center conference
Maj. Gen. (res.) Giora Eiland presents his study as Prof. Efraim Inbar, Director of the BESA Center (left), and Prof. Shmuel Sandler, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Bar-Ilan University, look on.Credit: Yoni Reif
Calling the current two-state paradigm unachievable because it is "not attractive enough" to the Palestinians or the Israelis, Maj. Gen. (res.) Giora Eland proposed two “viable” alternatives at a conference held recently at Bar-Ilan's Begin-Sadat (BESA) Center for Strategic Studies. Eiland said one alternative is for Israel to relinquish most of the territory it currently controls on the West Bank for the establishment of a Palestinian state in confederation with Jordan. Another alternative is a multinational exchange of territory between Israel, Jordan, Egypt and the Palestinians. Read more.
Four of the Jim Joseph Foundation fellows work at the Lookstein Center at Bar-Ilan University. Photo by Yoni Reif
The first cohort of Jim Joseph Foundation Fellows at Bar-Ilan’s Lookstein Center are getting the tools needed to create and maintain online “Communities of Practice” that will enable Jewish educators to jointly work on long-term projects regardless of location. Read more.
Ethiopian immigrants receive free eye exams by Optometry Program
Students in Bar-Ilan's Optometry Program recently performed comprehensive eye exams and eyeglass fittings on a group of Ethiopian immigrants, free of charge, under the supervision of Dr. Mark Guggenheim, Director of the eye-exam clinic. To overcome language barriers, Amharic-speaking B.A. students in the Department of Translation and Interpreting Studies, provided translation for the Ethiopian patients.
The entire visit, including the examinations and transportation, was funded by the Department of Optometry, the "Sagam" and "LuxVision" labs, and the Department's optometry store, which donated the frames. The Department of Optometry offers extensive and thorough eye examinations to the general public free of charge.
To learn more about this program and funding opportunities, contact Rebecca Langer at 212-906-3917 or Rebecca.langer@afbiu.org.
Jewish sources for public policy insights explored at Forum
Rabbis and doctoral students gather together for a “Nitzotzot” conference at the Jesselson Institute for Advanced Torah Studies.
How classic Jewish sources can shed light on issues ranging from inheritance laws to funding dental treatment with state funds was the topic at a recent Nitzotzot (sparks) Forum at Bar-Ilan University in Ramat Gan. This unique program, initiated by the Jesselson Institute for Advanced Torah Studies, pairs outstanding doctoral students with erudite rabbis to foster a cross-fertilization of ideas. Read more.
Donating property provides surprising benefits
Any type of property - primary residence, vacation home, farm, commercial property - can become the basis of a planned gift to AFBIU. With a Real Estate Remainder Gift, you can make a gift of your home to AFBIU, but retain the use of the property for as long as you and your spouse live. Real estate may be given outright. It can also be used to fund a life income gift. By doing so, the donor avoids an immediate capital gains tax, enjoys a current charitable income tax deduction, benefits from a new income stream, and makes a significant gift to forward the work of the AFBIU. To learn more, contact Gil Jacobson at 212-906-3911 or gil.jacobson@afbiu.org.
Bar-Ilan Buzz
Israel’s energizer Prof. Doron Aurbach
Prof. Doron Aurbach, of Bar-Ilan’s Department of Chemistry, is working to develop the first rechargeable Magnesium battery, ISRAEL21c reports. Aurbach has already developed the world’s first rechargeable lithium battery, and he now runs a lab of 35 who work to create better batteries. Read more.
Bonding the Bible to science Hundreds of people heard Prof. Nathan Aviezer speak at AFBIU outreach events.
The scientific explanation of how the universe began - the Big Bang theory - is in “complete agreement” with the story of creation found in the Book of Genesis says Professor Nathan Aviezer, professor of physics at Bar-Ilan University. He spoke about this topic at AFBIU outreach events in New York and south Florida. Read more about why he believes the Big Bang is the modern interpretation of creation.
Assessing your health? Your spouse may know best
For married people worried about their health, a good source for an assessment could be their spouse, according to a study in the current issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. Researchers from Bar-Ilan University and the University of California compared health assessments by 673 people and their spouses from 2000 through 2006 with death records. The researchers found that spouse-rated health status was at least as strong a predictor of death as self-assessments. They concluded that spouse and self-rated health status together were better than a person’s self-assessment alone.
Together, we can move Bar-Ilan to a higher level of excellence If you have any questions about the work of American Friends of Bar-Ilan University, which increases the awareness of, and support for, the fastest growing university in Israel, please send an email to Alan Grossman. You can also make a secure online gift to support cutting-edge scientific research, fund state-of-the-art facilities, strengthen Jewish studies programs, or provide scholarships to students in need.
