April 1, 2025 – The Hebrew University of Jerusalem was established 100 years ago today with thousands of guests, dignitaries, and academic delegations from many countries in attendance on its new Mt. Scopus campus.

Among the thousands in attendance were residents of the Land of Israel and international guests, including leaders, clergy, British military and administrative officials, as well as government representatives and academic delegations from the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, the Netherlands, Egypt, Switzerland, France, Canada, Poland, and Austria. Notable attendees included Meir Dizengoff, Judah Leib Magnes, Norman Bentwich, Nahum Sokolow, and many others.

Dr. Chaim Weizmann, who would later become Israel’s first president, addressed the audience from a simple wooden stage without a microphone, as did Chief Rabbi of Palestine Abraham Isaac Kook, Lord Balfour, British High Commissioner Sir Herbert Samuel, and poet Chaim Nachman Bialik.

Notably absent was Albert Einstein, one of the University’s founders, who was giving a series of lectures in South America on the day of the inauguration. Instead, he sent a handwritten manuscript of his Theory of Relativity to the University as a token of his appreciation for the realization of his vision. This manuscript has been preserved ever since in the Einstein Archives, located at the Edmond J. Safra Campus in Givat Ram. “There has been no event in my life that gave me greater satisfaction than the initiative to establish the Hebrew University in Jerusalem,” said Einstein in a 1921 interview with The New York Times, four years before the dedication.

To commemorate this important milestone for Israel, Prof. Asher Cohen, President of Hebrew University, says, “For a hundred years, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has been home to exceptional individuals—those who question, who break conventions, who innovate and redefine boundaries. It all began with a pioneering spark in the heart of Jerusalem, shaping the academic landscape of Israel. A remarkable group of intellectual giants, including Albert Einstein, Chaim Weizmann, Chaim Nachman Bialik, and Martin Buber, united in the pursuit of a shared vision: the establishment of the Hebrew University. They and many others founded a pioneering academic institution to cultivate future leaders in research, science, public service, and society—for the benefit of Israel and all humanity. From the moment this vision became a reality, the University has upheld excellence in research and education as its highest priority. Today, it continues to be a hub of knowledge, innovation, and groundbreaking research across diverse fields, nurturing generations of leaders, scholars, and thinkers.”

100 Years of Innovation and Academic Excellence
Hebrew University established the foundation for studies in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and exact sciences. Many of Israel’s leading doctors, lawyers, economists, and mathematicians are alumni of the University. The scope of research being conducted spans nearly every aspect of life: from space exploration to deep-sea studies, from the development of cherry tomatoes to cultivated meat. Its neuroscientists lead global research efforts, while forensic science experts, psychologists, and healthcare professionals contribute significantly to their respective fields. The Rachel and Selim Benin School of Engineering and Computer Science graduates the largest number of students among all Israeli research universities, supplying top talent to both the national and global high-tech industries.

These graduates join hundreds of thousands of Hebrew University alumni who, for decades, have played leading roles in public service, healthcare, the judiciary, the business sector, high-tech industries, civil society, the cultural sphere, and, of course, academic research in Israel and worldwide. In 2024, the University was ranked the top research university in Israel and 81st among the world’s top 100 universities, according to the Shanghai Ranking.

Over the years, the Hebrew University has cultivated extensive ties with the global academic community, boasting hundreds of research collaborations with institutions worldwide. Each year, hundreds of its students participate in international exchange programs, enhancing their academic and cultural experiences. The University has also maintained a strong and enduring connection with Jewish communities around the world, which have played a pivotal role in its establishment, growth, and continued success—contributing to its academic achievements, philanthropic support, and shared commitment to education and innovation.

“As a leading research institution, the Hebrew University sees itself as responsible for educating future generations, conducting groundbreaking research across nearly all fields of study, fostering extensive international engagement in both research and teaching, building strong ties with advanced industries in Israel and abroad, nurturing a diverse academic community, and maintaining deep social involvement in Jerusalem and throughout Israel,” says Professor Tamir Sheafer, Rector of the Hebrew University.

Beyond academic excellence, the Hebrew University recognizes that diversity is key to its success. The University actively works to ensure equal access to education and to cultivate a campus that reflects the richness of Israeli society and the global academic community.

Professor Mona Khoury, Vice President of Strategy and Diversity at the Hebrew University, highlights this commitment, stating: “At the Hebrew University, we believe that diversity is not a substitute for excellence but a driving force that enhances it. Our commitment to inclusion ensures that students and researchers from all backgrounds have equal opportunities to thrive, contribute, and shape the future of society. By fostering a multicultural environment, we enrich both scholarship and community, proving that true innovation emerges when different voices are heard and valued.”

The Hebrew University takes immense pride in its achievements in innovation, including the development of life-saving drugs and the establishment of influential companies in various industries. Strengthening the connection between academia and industry is a key priority, involving academic training, research partnerships with commercial enterprises, and the commercialization of university-developed knowledge and patents. A productive and dynamic relationship exists between the University’s pioneering research and entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders, facilitated by Yissum, the University’s technology transfer company. To date, Yissum has registered over 260 startup companies based on technologies developed at the Hebrew University, 18 of which have gone public, including Mobileye and others.

As it enters its second century, the Hebrew University remains steadfast in its mission to advance knowledge, foster innovation, and educate the leaders of tomorrow. With its distinguished history and commitment to excellence, the University will continue to play a vital role in shaping Israel’s academic and scientific future and contributing to the global research community.