JERUSALEM — The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has announced an extraordinary, historic philanthropic gift from investor and philanthropist John Paulson and the Paulson Family Foundation. The transformative investment is designated to propel several of the university’s most pressing strategic priorities, channeling resources directly into disciplines identified as critical to Israel’s national development, scientific stature, and long-term societal resilience.
Central to the multi-faceted initiative is the establishment of a brand-new Faculty of Engineering, a major expansion of the university’s medical and biomedical ecosystem, pioneering research into trauma and post-trauma recovery, and the creation of an innovative community-facing impact think tank. In recognition of this landmark contribution and its forward-looking scope, the gift also connects directly to the identity of the university’s historic Mount Scopus campus, linking the institution’s founding ideals with its strategic aspirations for its second century of operation.
University leadership characterized the contribution as an exceptional demonstration of philanthropic vision and a decisive vote of confidence in Israel’s scientific enterprise and higher education infrastructure. The funding arrives at a pivotal juncture for the nation’s academic ecosystem, providing the essential capital required to build cutting-edge physical and technological environments, recruit elite international faculty, and foster the next generation of researchers, physicians, and engineers.
A primary pillar of the gift will be devoted to the development and formal establishment of the Hebrew University’s new Faculty of Engineering. Conceived as a major engine of technological innovation, the planned faculty aims to dissolve traditional boundaries between scientific disciplines. By systematically converging engineering, advanced computer science, life sciences, and medicine under a unified collaborative framework, the university plans to accelerate solutions to complex, multi-layered technological and social challenges.
The creation of the engineering faculty builds on a recognized institutional need to expand the pipeline of highly skilled engineers and applied scientists in Israel. As global technological demands shift rapidly toward fields requiring interdisciplinary expertise—such as computational biology, advanced materials, artificial intelligence in healthcare, and sophisticated bio-engineering—the new faculty is designed to provide the physical infrastructure, laboratories, and curriculum necessary to educate researchers and innovators capable of leading both academic discovery and industrial development.
Simultaneously, the gift directs substantial resources toward the Hebrew University’s medical and biomedical enterprise, addressing one of the most critical challenges facing the country: the long-term capacity, resilience, and evolution of its healthcare system. The investment will enable the university to elevate and scale its emerging model for medical education, expanding its scope, strengthening its research capabilities, and solidifying its role as an influential platform with both domestic and international reach.
Modern healthcare demands an integrated approach where clinical practice, laboratory research, and technological literacy intersect seamlessly. Through this funding, the university plans to deepen the scientific foundations of its medical training programs, embedding advanced biomedical research and modern technological methodologies directly into medical curricula. The initiative aims to enhance the clinical training pipeline while concurrently driving translational research—ensuring that laboratory discoveries in genomics, pharmacology, immunology, and diagnostic technologies move rapidly and effectively toward clinical application and patient care.
Beyond structural and academic expansions in engineering and medicine, the gift specifically targets urgent societal needs through the advancement of trauma and post-trauma recovery research. In a country that has repeatedly contended with acute crises, the university’s scientific inquiry into psychological and physiological trauma remains an area of vital national importance. The newly funded research programs will focus on developing comprehensive, evidence-based understanding of trauma mechanisms, long-term post-traumatic effects, and groundbreaking intervention methodologies.
Complementing this specialized research, the funding will also facilitate the establishment of a new impact and community think tank. This dedicated initiative is designed to construct an active bridge between Hebrew University’s academic expertise and public life. By placing university scholars, policy analysts, and clinical specialists in direct, ongoing dialogue with community leaders, public health authorities, and civic organizations, the think tank aims to translate academic scholarship into actionable public frameworks, social initiatives, and policy recommendations capable of addressing immediate and long-range public needs in Israel and globally.
Reflecting on the scale and meaning of the gift, Prof. Tamir Sheafer, President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, underlined the historical continuity embodied in the Paulson Family Foundation’s support.
“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,” Prof. Sheafer said. “John Paulson’s extraordinary gift carries that vision forward into our second century. 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.”
Prof. Sheafer emphasized that the transformational scope of the funding directly impacts the day-to-day operations and future trajectory of the institution. “This gift empowers us to recruit world-class faculty, support exceptional students, equip cutting-edge laboratories, and transform bold ideas into life-changing breakthroughs,” he added. “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 current investment represents an expansion of an established partnership between the university and the Paulson Family Foundation. The foundation previously made substantial contributions to the Hebrew University’s physical and scientific landscape, specifically supporting its engineering and computing capabilities on the Edmond J. Safra Campus at Givat Ram. Those earlier efforts led to the creation of the Paulson Bar-El Building for Computer Science & Engineering and the John Paulson Building for Electrical Engineering, which have served as integral hubs for computational research, data sciences, and high-tech academic programs. The latest gift builds upon those foundational facilities, creating a cohesive, long-range trajectory that connects the Edmond J. Safra Campus with the university’s broader urban and academic footprint.
The announcement carries deep symbolic weight through its connection to the Mount Scopus campus, an iconic location that occupies a central place in the modern history of the university and the Jewish people. In 1918, three decades before the formal declaration of the State of Israel, the cornerstone of the Hebrew University was laid atop Mount Scopus. In 1925, the university formally opened its doors to students and faculty, bringing to life a vision championed by prominent Jewish intellectuals and luminaries of the twentieth century, including Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud.
Throughout the decades that followed, Mount Scopus endured as an enduring emblem of renewal, perseverance, and intellectual aspiration. The formal naming of the campus honors that century-old legacy, reaffirming the site not merely as a historic landmark, but as an active, forward-looking focal point for higher education, research, and national rebuilding in its second century.
The timing of the gift aligns with Hebrew University’s sustained standing on the global academic stage. In the 2026 Shanghai Ranking (Academic Ranking of World Universities), the university was ranked 89th globally, reflecting more than a hundred years of consistent scholarly excellence, research productivity, and scientific impact. Sustaining a position among the top 100 research institutions worldwide requires continuous investment in research infrastructure, competitive recruitment of international talent, and the capacity to pursue high-risk, high-reward interdisciplinary inquiries.
By addressing institutional priorities ranging from engineering faculties and medical education to community engagement and post-trauma health, the university seeks to ensure that its scholarly achievements translate directly into national strength and global scientific progress. The comprehensive gift stands as an enduring commitment to the foundational principle that guided the university’s establishment in 1925: advancing humanity through the relentless pursuit of knowledge, cultivating visionary leadership, and utilizing scientific discovery to build a stable, prosperous, and enlightened future.