Exciting Times Ahead: Bar-Ilan University’s $260M Transformational Gift

As I travel and connect with colleagues, philanthropists, and community leaders, one topic continually sparks curiosity and conversation: the recently announced $260 million gift to Bar-Ilan University. The immediate reactions I encounter are a mix of congratulations and questions – about the donor, his vision (why Bar-Ilan?), and how the university plans to deploy this monumental sum.

Upon reflection, it’s clear that this gift comes at a time of deep significance. Even before the tragic events of October 7th, the donor seemed to anticipate the key question that I, like most of us, am grappling with today: How do we support the Israeli people now and ensure a secure future for the next generation?

The donor behind this historic gift was driven by a profound commitment to bolstering Israel’s geopolitical and economic standing. His focus was on strengthening Israel’s technological edge, given the country’s complex geopolitical landscape. The donor’s philosophy centered on investing in “deep tech,” rather than the more transient “high tech.” While high tech delivers quick and incremental solutions, deep tech aims for groundbreaking, paradigm-shifting advancements. By channeling funds into deep tech research at Bar-Ilan University, the donor sought to enhance the university’s role as a premier research hub and, through this, create a stronger, more secure Israel.

He also understood that Bar-Ilan University, with its rich Zionist values and dedication to impactful science, stood out as the perfect institution to bring this vision to life. The university’s approach goes beyond technological progress; it ensures that advancements serve both Israel’s security needs and humanity’s broader interests. Bar-Ilan is more than a place of learning for 20,000 students where cutting-edge scientific research is conducted. It’s a community dedicated to nurturing character and fostering a sense of belonging. This donor understood that the university’s research focuses on solving pressing problems in Israel, a focus which aligned perfectly with his goals AND values.

Thanks to this donor, the University will add to its rich scientific expertise by developing transformative projects in several areas. Two key examples are in the fields of Sustainable Energy and Chip Design. Following David Ben-Gurion’s assertion that Israel’s survival hinges on security, water, and energy, Bar-Ilan will build upon its current research to address two of these critical challenges. One project will focus on energy storage and will involve developing hydrogen batteries and discovering innovations aimed at overcoming current storage limitations to create more efficient, sustainable energy solutions.

The second project will tackle the pressing need, given geopolitical tensions affecting global chip supply chains, for secure and energy-efficient chip design. By focusing on deep tech relating to chip design, Bar-Ilan will help Israel make sure that no foreign entity will be able to hack Israeli technology though a back door. The university will invest in developing “Blue-and-White Chips” designed and built locally in Israel. This initiative aims to reduce reliance on foreign technology, enhancing both national security and economic stability.

This $260 million gift will significantly impact Bar-Ilan University’s growth and capabilities, but it’s only the beginning of the journey. We will create planned investments to include recruiting many new faculty members, upgrading laboratories and equipment, expanding our Nano-Technology Center and Engineering School among other initiatives. This gift will help to further our advancements, but we need others to partner with us to continue to forge ahead. There is much to do, and while we feel the pain of so many who, daily, live with Israel’s new geopolitical reality, we are confident that our support of Bar-Ilan will begin to create a stronger, safer country for generations to come.

The possibilities around this transformative gift are palpable, and we are immensely grateful to the anonymous donor for his incredible support. This gift energizes our commitment to addressing Israel’s needs and advancing global progress at a time when focusing on the future is critical. With the talent and dedication of our students, faculty, researchers and staff, we are ready to rise to the occasion and make the most of this opportunity.

Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this exciting journey and continue Impacting Tomorrow, Today.

Jessica Feldan
Chief Executive Officer
American Friends of Bar-Ilan University