BOG 2019: Inauguration of the Check Point Building

TAU Honorary Doctor Gil Shwed and the Rashi Foundation cut the ribbon for the new home of TAU’s Youth University and Blavatnik School of Computer Science
21 July 2019
Prof. Joseph Klafter (left) presents Gil Shwed with a gift

“For seven years we’ve waited for this moment,” beamed outgoing TAU President Joseph Klafter to a packed auditorium at the official dedication of the new Check Point Building. The 5,000 square meter state-of-the-art facility houses two dynamic TAU learning hubs: Youth University and the Blavatnik School of Computer Science.  Students, faculty and schoolchildren from all across Israel will benefit from the new building with its large auditorium, lecture hall, 23 laboratories, 15 classrooms and seminar rooms, a planetarium and offices.

 

Prof. Klafter praised the vision and generosity of the building’s two main supporters, TAU Governor and Honorary Doctor, Founder and CEO of Check Point, Gil Shwed, and his project partner, the Rashi Foundation. “Gil is a model TAU benefactor,” he said. “Not only has he had extraordinary success in the high-tech world, and almost singlehandedly put Israel on the international cyber map, but has also been highly effective in securing accessibility to world-class science education to youngsters from across Israel.”

 

Addressing François Leven, President of the Rashi Foundation, Prof. Klafter noted: “He is the fourth generation of the Leven family and their epic philanthropic endeavor.  At TAU, the Rashi Foundation has supported a huge range of projects dating back thirty years – among them scholarships, research funds, text book funds, and campus development.”

 

The pride in Check Point, the State of Israel, and TAU were reflected in Shwed’s remarks. “Check Point is an amazing group of people that proved an Israeli company can become and stay leaders in securing our lives in the world of cyber,” he said. “This is an amazing opportunity to support TAU in shaping the future of our society. Our quest is empowered by this shared investment.”

 

Among the guest speakers were: Prof. Nachum Dershowitz of the Blavatnik School of Computer Science who gave a brief talk on Artificial Intelligence in the Service of Jewish Studies; Prof. Sivan Toledo of the Blavatnik School of Computer Science; and Dr. Erez Pyetan, Academic Director of the  Youth University.

 

 

The unveiling of the Check Point Road sign by Hanina Brandes (left) and Gil Shwed

Two Israeli high school students attending programs at Youth University also spoke - 10th grader Liyam Levi in the Odyssey, Life Science Track, and 11th grader Yonatan Lin in the Odyssey, Physics Track.

After the ceremony, guests were invited to the festive Check Point Building plaque unveiling, followed by the dedication of the new Check Point Road sign at the heart of the campus. The Check Point Building was designed by Kimmel Eshkolot Architects.

 

Tel Aviv University makes every effort to respect copyright. If you own copyright to the content contained
here and / or the use of such content is in your opinion infringing, Contact us as soon as possible >>