First-Ever Global Leadership Mission to Tel Aviv University

25 January 2015

Mission members hear from skin cancer researcher Dr. Carmit Levy at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine.

A select group of business and Jewish community leaders from Israel and around the world joined the inaugural “Discover Tel Aviv University” mission hosted by the University. The 3-day tour gave participants a chance to hear about the preeminent medical, technological and security research that has positioned TAU on the cutting edge of Israeli innovation, as well as to share their own intellectual passions.

Iron Dome inventor Brig. Gen. (Res.) Dr. Danny Gold and Waze co-founder Uri Levine – both TAU alumni – were among the featured speakers at a session on TAU's business impact, while prominent TAU scientists gave talks and lab tours on the latest advancers in biotechnology, food security, nanoscience, cancer research, genetics and human evolution.

The group met with TAU professors at the forefront of security, cyber and public policy research, gaining a multifaceted perspective on Israel’s position in the Middle East as well as its economic and social challenges.

"In just a couple of days we got a small sample of everything the university has to offer," said mission participant and TAU Governor Ariel David, a journalist based in Rome and Tel Aviv and a board member of the Dan David Foundation. "This brief but fascinating tasting left us all hungry for more."

"It was amazing," enthused Mrs. Galia Feiler, a real estate entrepreneur who joined the group from Canada.

Off campus meetings included a private briefing by IDF Spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner and exclusive access to Israel’s prime aviation manufacturer, Israel Aerospace Industries, led by the Chairman of the Israel Space Agency and TAU professor Maj. Gen. (res.) Isaac Ben-Israel.

The mission kicked off with a welcome dinner hosted by Selina and Ari Komeran and attended by TAU Board of Governors Chairman Prof. Jacob Frenkel, Executive Council Chairman Dr. Giora Yaron, and President Prof. Joseph Klafter. Representing Tel Aviv University throughout the mission were Amos Elad, Vice President for Development, and Yael Regev, Director of Development and Public Affairs. Events included tastings at a boutique winery, and a guided tour at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art led by Prof. Eran Neuman, Head of TAU’s David Azrieli School of Architecture.

Summing up the experience for the participants, Ms. Miki Roitman, a lawyer and foundation CEO from Germany, said, "Everyone agrees – it was a lovely event. Thank you to the University for bringing us – people who share similar world views – all together."