|
Please note that this letter was written prior to the events of last night and Israel's preemptive strike on Iran. We pray for the safety and security of the IDF and Israel. Am Yisrael Chai.
Dear Friends,
I recently returned from Israel, where I attended the 2025 Tel Aviv University Board of Governors (BOG) meeting. My wife and I arrived via El Al, one of the few carriers that has not canceled flights to and from Israel. Ben Gurion Airport was bedecked with Magen Davids (Stars of David flags), and we had the the unavoidable feeling of being instantly embraced — coming home. Even while being awoken almost nightly by (misguided) Houthi missiles, we felt protected and safe — more so than in many American cities.
The embrace we felt from our Israeli brethren was undeniable; they were so thankful to us for coming and for our support. There is no doubt that this is a very trying and painful time for the people of Israel, the Jewish people generally, and all those affected by the Gaza war. May it be over soon, and our hostages returned.
In spite all of this, Israel and Tel Aviv University (TAU) are resilient and continue to move forward with amazing fortitude and ingenuity. This is what we found:
The Board of Governors was an opportunity to stand strong with friends from around the world who share a commitment to advancing research, education, and building a stronger and brighter future for Israel. During the whirlwind week of ceremonies, events, and sessions on topics showcasing TAU, we met students, researchers, and alumni who are inspiring and reinforce the reasons to support this great University. You can view many of the BOG sessions here. There were many memorable moments, but the special screening of the award-winning documentary, AMONG NEIGHBORS, produced by Dr. Anita Friedman, the Chair of the Global Campaign and AFTAU board member, was a highlight for me. It is an incredible story that shares an important piece of Holocaust and her personal family history, yet with very touching moments for all humanity. If you have an opportunity to see the film, I strongly suggest you do.
Since my last letter, Tel Aviv University inaugurated the Gray Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences with a generous donation of $125 million from Mindy and John Gray and the Gray Foundation. The gift, the largest single donation to TAU, will transform TAU's medical education and research. During the BOG, we toured labs and saw first-hand the cutting-edge research happening across campus. In Professor Uri Ben-David's lab, we learned exciting news about a clinical trial based on a study from his lab using an oral (KIF18A) inhibitor showing tumor shrinkage and a tolerable safety profile. His lab focuses on an understudied trait of cancer — changes in the chromosomal composition of a cell, known as aneuploidy (the occurrence of one or more extra or missing chromosomes).
Professor Lihi Adler-Abramovich at the Department of Oral Biology at the Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine, Head of the Laboratory of Bioinspired Materials and Nanotechnology, shared news of a collaboration that she led with Sheba Tel Hashomer Medical Center. The team developed an innovative "bioengineered skin" used for grafting in burn victims. Produced from the patient’s own cells, this skin is more stable, robust, and flexible than current treatments, making it easier to handle. In severe wound models, it achieved wound closure in half the time of standard therapies. The study was driven by the ongoing war and the surge in severe burn injuries, which underscores the urgent need for better treatment solutions.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of Cyber Week, taking place June 23-26. The conference, sponsored by the Blavatnik Interdisciplinary Cyber Research Center at TAU, brings together industry leaders, high-level decision-makers, and experts and is a cornerstone of global cybersecurity. TAU's AI Week (June 25-26) will explore how generative AI is reshaping the creative landscape across industries. Both conferences are the leading events in their fields. You can register for the live-stream and view the program for both conferences here.
Our collective support of TAU is critical for advancing the work on campus and ultimately in Israel. Thank you for being a part of the TAU family and for your continued generosity.
Am Yisrael Chai!
Sincerely,
Dr. Garry A. Rayant
Chairman, American Friends of Tel Aviv University
|