JERUSALEM — The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has announced an extraordinary philanthropic gift from American financier and philanthropist John Paulson and the Paulson Family Foundation, marking one of the most substantial milestones in the institution’s modern history. The historic contribution is designed to fuel several of the university’s most pressing strategic priorities, channeling transformative resources into academic domains of critical national importance. Among the central endeavors supported by the investment are the development of a comprehensive new Faculty of Engineering, the sweeping expansion of the university’s medical and biomedical ecosystem, groundbreaking research into trauma and post-trauma recovery, and the creation of innovative institutional frameworks dedicated to direct public impact.
The gift also formally links the Paulson name with the institution’s very origin, commemorating the visionary endeavor on Mount Scopus as the university embarks upon its second century of operation. In recognizing the transformative scale of the gift, the naming of the Mount Scopus campus honors the enduring spirit of renewal and scientific pursuit that has animated the institution since its establishment, affirming the site as a lasting beacon of resilience, discovery, and long-term nation-building.
A foundational element of this historic endowment is directed toward the establishment and development of the Hebrew University’s new Faculty of Engineering. Conceived as a major technological and academic engine for Israel, the new faculty aims to address complex social, scientific, and technological challenges by systematically bridging disciplines that have historically operated in separate spheres. By fostering close collaboration among engineering, advanced computer science, medical research, and the life sciences, the initiative is positioned to strengthen the university’s capacity to drive cross-disciplinary innovation. University leadership envisions the faculty as an essential contributor to Israel’s knowledge economy, generating technological solutions to multifaceted modern challenges while training future generations of researchers, problem-solvers, and industry pioneers.
The ambitious engineering initiative builds upon an established foundation of support from the Paulson Family Foundation on the university’s Edmond J. Safra Campus at Givat Ram. In earlier funding initiatives, the foundation made decisive contributions to the university’s technological and physical infrastructure, notably funding the Paulson Bar-El Building for Computer Science and Engineering as well as the John Paulson Building for Electrical Engineering. This latest commitment elevates that existing institutional partnership to an unprecedented level, shifting the focus from individual facility enhancements to systemic, university-wide faculty development and long-range institutional growth.
Equally central to the gift’s mandate is a profound reinvestment in the university’s medical and biomedical ecosystem. Hebrew University has been actively advancing an emerging, innovative model for medical education, and the new funding will provide the necessary resources to expand this model’s scope, deepen its technological infrastructure, and accelerate its clinical integration. By strengthening the convergence between rigorous laboratory discovery, biomedical engineering, and clinical training, the initiative is designed to bolster Israel’s long-term healthcare capacity. The investment will equip clinicians and researchers with the advanced tools required to translate laboratory breakthroughs into clinical practice, addressing acute systemic needs within the national healthcare landscape while positioning the university as an international leader in shaping the future of medicine.
Beyond structural academic faculties, the gift places significant emphasis on humanitarian and psychological recovery through dedicated funding for trauma and post-trauma research. Recognizing the urgent and profound societal repercussions of acute trauma, the university plans to marshal its interdisciplinary expertise to pioneer advanced diagnostic methods, therapeutic protocols, and recovery frameworks. Closely aligned with this scientific focus is the establishment of a new impact and community think tank. This dedicated body is designed to bridge the traditional divide between academic inquiry and immediate societal challenges, bringing the university’s extensive scientific and sociological research into continuous dialogue with public institutions, policymakers, and civic communities in Israel and abroad.
Reflecting on the transformative implications of the gift, Prof. Tamir Sheafer, President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, framed the contribution as both a continuation of the institution’s founding ideals and a vital demonstration of confidence in Israel’s future during an exceptionally complex era.
“Over a century ago on Mount Scopus, the Hebrew University was founded on a powerful idea: that where history had known destruction, the Jewish people would build a future through knowledge, discovery, and education. John Paulson’s extraordinary gift carries that vision forward into our second century,” Prof. Sheafer stated. “Beyond its immense magnitude, this contribution reflects profound philanthropic leadership. In these challenging times, John’s visionary support serves as an inspiring beacon to friends and leaders across the global Jewish community—demonstrating the vital importance and enduring impact of investing in Israel’s academic and scientific foundation. This gift empowers us to recruit world-class faculty, support exceptional students, equip cutting-edge laboratories, and transform bold ideas into life-changing breakthroughs. It is far more than a historic act of philanthropy; it is a profound expression of belief in Israel’s human capital and a partnership in building our shared future.”
The symbolic resonance of tying this milestone to Mount Scopus carries profound historic weight for the university and the broader international academic community. Long before the establishment of the State of Israel, Mount Scopus stood as the physical and intellectual cradle of modern Hebrew scholarship. In 1918, amid the turbulence following the First World War, the cornerstone of the Hebrew University was formally laid on the historic ridge overlooking Jerusalem. Seven years later, in 1925, the university officially opened its doors, realizing a dream advanced and championed by some of the most prominent Jewish intellectuals and cultural figures of the twentieth century, including Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud. Those early visionaries conceived the institution not merely as a local center of higher learning, but as an internationally recognized sanctuary of free scientific inquiry, ethical leadership, and universal human progress.
In the decades following its 1925 opening, the Hebrew University developed into a world-renowned research powerhouse, consistently earning recognition for its contributions to basic and applied sciences, the humanities, law, and social sciences. In the 2026 edition of the prestigious Academic Ranking of World Universities, compiled by ShanghaiRanking Consultancy, the Hebrew University was ranked 89th globally, underscoring more than a century of unrelenting academic excellence, high-impact research output, and international prestige. The infusion of resources from the Paulson Family Foundation is intended to safeguard and advance this global standing, ensuring that the institution maintains the competitive infrastructure required to attract top-tier global talent, conduct sophisticated laboratory experiments, and retain its standing among the world’s leading research universities.
The multidimensional character of the gift reflects an evolving philosophy of higher education philanthropy—one that views academic institutions as vital civic anchors responsible for directly addressing national crises and driving social stability. By deliberately dividing the resources across technical innovation, human health, post-trauma psychological recovery, and public policy, the initiative recognizes that future resilience requires a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary response. The planned impact think tank, in particular, illustrates this strategic direction, serving as an institutional channel through which theoretical knowledge can be rapidly synthesized into actionable strategies for community support, social rehabilitation, and national resilience.
As the Hebrew University enters its second century of operation, the naming and re-energizing of the Mount Scopus campus serves as a testament to institutional continuity. The transition from the foundational ideals articulated by Einstein and Freud in the early twentieth century to the contemporary realities of artificial intelligence, high-level biomedical engineering, and modern trauma treatment highlights the university’s enduring adaptability. Paulson’s support reinforces the institutional narrative that sustained investment in human intellect, scientific infrastructure, and ethical inquiry remains essential to overcoming societal adversity.
With implementation planning already underway, the university anticipates that the newly funded programs will begin rolling out in structured phases across its campuses. The development of the Faculty of Engineering will involve significant faculty recruitment and the establishment of advanced research facilities, while the medical enterprise will accelerate its curriculum reforms and biomedical research programs. Through these expansive developments, the gift reinforces Mount Scopus as an enduring symbol of academic ambition, societal renewal, and confidence in the transformative potential of scientific discovery.