Canadian Friends Reinforce TAU Ties with Toronto Community
Talking High-Tech, Biomedicine and Defense
TAU President Joseph Klafter addressed the congregation at the Holy Blossom Temple at a lecture organized by Canadian Friends of Tel Aviv University (CFTAU) and the Gerald Schwartz/Heather Reisman Center for Jewish Learning, and supported by Bank Hapoalim. Talking on the topic of "Start-Up Nation Goes Global: How Higher Education in Israel can Build Bridges and Open Doors around the World," Prof. Klafter identified Israel's top universities – and especially TAU – as the knowledge engine driving the country’s global success. "Education is the basis of our economic stability and security," declared Prof. Klafter. "TAU has been instrumental in fostering Israeli government and business ties with important Asian countries such as India and China." Prof. Klafter also stressed that Israel’s security depends on its ability to remain on the cutting edge of defense technology research, and noted that TAU is involved in about 100 defense-oriented projects.
Pictured from left: CFTAU Ontario and Western Canada President Jeff Wagman, TAU alumnus Jonathan Schwartz, TAU President Prof. Joseph Klafter, CFTAU Ontario and Western Canada Executive Director Stephen Adler, and Hershell Ezrin
New Mentor and Alumni Society
More than 100 alumni, family and friends came together to celebrate the launch of the CFTAU Mentor and Alumni Society. The new initiative will identify and engage former students, their parents and community leaders, with the aim of nurturing an extended TAU family. CFTAU's mission is to build long-lasting relationships between all Canadian alumni and promote a lifelong commitment to TAU.
Pictured from left: Judith Shostack, TAU President Prof. Joseph Klafter and Adrienne Cohen
CFTAU and Alpha Omega Launch Dental School Campaign in Canada
The Toronto chapter of the Alpha Omega (AO) Dental Fraternity together with CFTAU launched a fundraising campaign for new clinics at TAU's Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine. The event, an afternoon tea, honored AO past international president Dr. Gordon Perlmutter. In urging members to contribute to this worthy cause, President of the Toronto chapter Dr. Alan Vinegar stated: "We need to set the example through our efforts of tzedakah (charity). I encourage you to take an active part in the regeneration and growth of this very important dental school." The Toronto AO chapter is a staunch supporter of the school, having already donated a dental treatment room in memory of the late Dr. Michael Weinberg.
Pictured from left: TAU alumnus Dr. Guy Aboodi, Stephen Adler, Prof. Joseph Klafter, Dr. Gordon Perlmutter, Jeff Wagman, Dr. Sharon Perlmutter, and Dr. Alan Vinegar
Miles Nadal Hometown Dinner
The November activities concluded with a private dinner hosted by TAU Honorary Doctor Miles Nadal for Prof. Klafter at Toronto’s Hazelton Hotel to celebrate Mr. Nadal's involvement with TAU. Guests, including top philanthropists, business leaders and representatives from Toronto’s major universities and Mount Sinai Hospital, heard from Prof. Klafter about many of the exciting initiatives on campus. Mr. Nadal gave a first-hand account of the creation of the Miles S. Nadal Institute for Technological Entrepreneurship at TAU.
Pictured from left: Miles Nadal and his wife Kelly Nadal with TAU President Prof. Joseph Klafter