Technion Trailblazers: A Lesson in Resilience and Hope in Haifa

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology with a few of my friends and colleagues at the American Technion Society (ATS) to show solidarity for our peers in Israel and learn more about how things have changed over the last several months. It was immediately clear to all of us how quickly everyone in the north adapted to new challenges that come with wartime, and we were all impressed with how the Technion has rallied around its students and faculty – particularly the thousands who have been called to service. 

I spoke with ATS New York Metro Leadership Council President, Michael Miller, and ATS San Francisco Leadership Council President, David Kaufman, to reflect on our time in Israel and the inspiring solidarity of the Technion community. 

Michael W.: I felt very passionately about visiting Israel during this time to connect with our colleagues on the ground and learn more about how the Technion has adapted to this challenging time. What inspired the both of you to visit Israel and the Technion as well? 

Michael M.: There were several misconceptions about what it was like on the ground in Israel this spring. As soon as we arrived in Haifa, we realized that Israel, and the Technion, had sprung into action immediately after October 7th not only to prepare themselves, but to help communities across the north too.  

David: Knowing that the Technion has worked hard to continue normal operations, we wanted our trip to show American support for the resilience that they’ve displayed over the last several months.  

Michael W.: It was certainly remarkable to see just how many ways the Technion is working to support everyone on campus and those who were called to the front lines.  

Michael M.: Agreed. We heard from a few different students who have faced such challenging circumstances. One student was living in a kibbutz in the south on October 7th and had to hide in his home. Another student was at the Supernova music festival and was then called to service for 100 days shortly afterward, which I can only imagine contributed further to the trauma he was already confronting. But, from what we heard, they’re all facing the current situation with surprising courage and resilience.  

David: Fortunately, the Technion is doing all it can to take care of these students as they try to continue their academic pursuits while grappling with the aftermath of the attacks and time in the reserves. Supporting mental health and psychological services has been a major priority in the last several months, and staff have even been trained in the severe emotional impacts of trauma. They are extremely proactive and aren’t waiting for students to reach out for help. 

Michael W.: We heard that some 3,000 students have been called for reserve duty. What is the Technion doing to help support their academic experience, since they will miss some of their instruction? 

Michael M.: Knowing that weeks on reserve duty can create a financial burden, we heard from Dean of Students Ayelet Fishman that the Technion has waived rent for reserve students and their families and provided tuition assistance. Professors are recording lectures that students can access online while they are away from campus, and once they return, the university is providing free access to academic tutors. Every department has a dedicated faculty member charged with coordinating academic resources for reserve students as well. But of course, there are challenges in trying to replace what is lost in a classroom. However, everyone on campus understands the circumstances, and there’s an overarching feeling of encouragement and support from faculty to assist students as much as possible. 

Michael W.: What about the rest of the university? The Technion is like a small city in and of itself, with over 20,000 people in the community. Did anything jump out at you as part of their response? 

David: The university’s security response was clearly a huge undertaking, and it was impressive to see how they mobilized so quickly. Even outside the Technion’s designated security team, the greater university community also sprang into action. Over 300 Technion faculty and staff volunteered to serve as first responders in the university’s security force. The Technion has also been well prepared way before October 7th.  

Michael W.: I also found that the atmosphere outside the Technion and in the greater Haifa community was a clear indicator of the resilience in Israel. Watching evacuated children and their families play outside the hotel where they are currently sheltering was heartwarming to see during such a challenging time.  

David: I also enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about what the response to October 7th has looked like outside the Technion community. We spent our second day touring Rambam Hospital in Haifa, and I was blown away by how they adapted mere hours after the attacks. Its parking garage is designed to convert into a fully operational hospital with 2,000 beds in just 72 hours, and the hospital staff completed the transformation in just 24 hours following the October 7th attacks. It’s clear that they are prepared for the worst, which we hope never comes. 

Michael M.: It was remarkable how rapidly they responded to the changing landscape of the war. The Technion Medical School is also supporting the hospital’s efforts, training every student on critical trauma procedures as an extra layer of preparedness should the war escalate in the north. A student, Shafar Lifshitz, started the program called the Clinical Skills Trauma Course. The medical school also hopes to expand Rambam’s capacity for care and train 40% more doctors in the next few years. 

Michael W.: I would also be remiss not to mention the heartbreaking stories we heard from those whose family members remain hostages of Hamas. The devastation from October 7th continues to pervade throughout the community, and I am in awe of the sophisticated and comprehensive crowd-sourced support organization for hostages that emerged in a matter of days.  

It’s impossible to relay every story we heard from students and faculty on campus, but it’s clear that if you’re at the Technion, you’ll always be in good hands. From everything we saw and heard in Israel, we are confident that our friends and colleagues at the Technion, and in Haifa more broadly, are resilient and determined to support each other through any challenge. As always, our thoughts are with our colleagues in Israel, and we stand with them.