Discover TAU Mission 2016 Fuses Leadership and Passion

A group of young professionals from Israel and abroad, each representing different fields of expertise, took part in the second Discover TAU Mission, which took place in early 2016.

The fast-paced, diverse, and multidisciplinary program gave participants a sampling of the university's vast offerings. Many of the participants were second or third generation TAU supporters and all were encouraged to find their own interests among the university's multihued activities. The itinerary included a tour of the MRI facility at the Alfredo Federico Strauss Center for Computational Neuro-imaging, where center director Prof. Galit Yovel presented her and her colleagues' discoveries on the human brain; and a visit to the prehistoric archaeology lab with the Directors of the Qesem Cave excavations, Profs. Avi Gopher and Ran Barkai.  

The presentations were overwhelmingly brilliant, and I came away with the impression that things get done at TAU," said one participant. "There is a sense of advancement.”

The mission kicked off with a welcome dinner hosted by Dr. Nava Michael-Tsabari and Roni Tsabari. Participants dined with TAU's longtime supporter Raya Strauss, TAU President Prof. Joseph Klafter, and Vice President for Resource Development Amos Elad.

The first full day was dedicated to lectures and meetings on campus, with professors expressly chosen to showcase a wide variety of fields. Immunology researcher Prof. Ariel Munitz of the Sackler Faculty of Medicine spoke on how to "shut down" harmful autoimmune reactions. Dr. Carmit Katz from the Bob Shapell School of Social Work discussed her novel techniques for getting children to express themselves.  Zoology professor David Eilam described the evolution of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and other habits and rituals.

The second part of the program took place off-campus. Delegates toured Google Israel where they met with TAU alumni who are redefining how we access the world’s information.  They climbed a control tower at an air force base, where Brig.-Gen. (res.) Nehemia Dagan gave them a tailor-made tour.  The group also met with a senior Israeli diplomat and tasted award-winning wines in the Judean Hills.  On the mission's final day, participants met individually with TAU faculty for in-depth talks on their personal interests.

This year's mission comes after the successful Discover TAU pilot in 2015. Discover TAU was founded to spark the passion in young opinion leaders to support TAU in their home communities and to plant the seeds for a long-term relationship with the University.

“I’m so happy I came.  I am very impressed with what TAU does and I saw hope and new things in my country,” said one Israeli delegate. "It was a fascinating two days."

The opportunity to mingle with TAU faculty and with each other was another highlight, leaving the participants eager for more in the future.

One participant summed up the experience: “I look forward to getting back together again as a group, to doing things together and building up a community.”