A YeAr Of MilestOnes
Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem Annual Report
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A Year Of Milestones
Happy 70th birthday, CFHU! Philanthropist Allan Bronfman founded Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University in 1944.
Message from Our Leadership One of the constants — and one of the joys — of being a part of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is being surrounded by achievement. If you read our website or subscribe to our news updates (and if you haven’t, please do at www.CFHU.org), you’ll know what we mean: every day brings news of yet another medical, technological, archaeological, intellectual or sociological breakthrough from The Hebrew University’s scholars, scientists and researchers. Just browse through the pages of this annual report to get a taste of what we mean. It’s no wonder that the University is ranked first in Israel and among the world’s top 100 universities and has produced seven Nobel Laureate in the span of eight years. If the constant stream of good news flowing from Hebrew U weren’t so awe-inspiring, it might be tempting to take it for granted. But every so often a series of events come along that serve to remind us of just how far The Hebrew University and its Canadian Friends have come. In 2014 and 2015, we mark a series of anniversaries and milestones that help quantify our achievements. This year, for example, marks The Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s 90th anniversary. A decade earlier, one of the University’s founding members, Albert Einstein, had published his Theory of General Relativity: like the institution he helped found and to which he bequeathed his papers and his image, it remains as vital and innovative today as it did a century ago. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Yissum, which has commercialized and brought to world markets so many of the life-changing technologies created by Hebrew University researchers — read more about its achievements on page 7. The year 2014 also marked the 70th anniversary of the Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Founded by Canadian philanthropist Allan Bronfman in 1944, CFHU has raised half a billion dollars in support of The Hebrew University since its inception. This Canadian support is evident across The Hebrew University campus, in the Asper Center for Entrepreneurship, the Halbert Centre for Canadian Studies, the Louis Frieberg Center for East Asian Studies, the Peter Brojde Center for Innovative Engineering and Computer Science, the Wilbush Patient-Centred Medical Forum and, of course, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC). One hundred million dollars has been raised for research that has helped earn Israel the designation of “the Start-Up Nation.“ CFHU scholarships have assisted in the education of 50,000 Canadian and Israeli students, the University’s lifeblood. Thank you for being part of our year of milestones. With your ongoing participation and support, we look forward to celebrating many more together.
Murray Palay Rami Kleinmann National Chair President & CEO
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cfhu pArtnerships, highlights & AchieveMents 2
Alberta wunderkind Marin Schultz, winner of CFHU’s 2014 Next Einstein contest.
Partnerships
Pancreatic Cancer Partnership CFHU announced in April the creation of the Alex U. Soyka Pancreatic Cancer Research Project at IMRIC. Spearheaded by Torontonian Sylvia M. G. Soyka, the partnership is an initiative by the SMGS Family Foundation, which has provided a significant, multi-year funding commitment. IMRIC will partner with the Sheba Medical Center in Israel and the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research to uncover the molecular landscape of pancreatic cancer and pathways driving the disease.
Canada-Israel Autism Research In March 2014, the inaugural CanadaIsrael Autism Research Symposium brought together top Canadian and Israeli researchers, practitioners, parents and community stakeholders to share data and best practices. The three-day event partnered CFHU, the Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Research Hub at IMRIC, the Hebrew University’s Institute for Advanced Studies, the Ontario Brain Institute and NeuroDevNet. Israeli novelist Lihi Lapid spoke about finding happiness within her own family, which includes a daughter with autism. Canada-Israel FASD Funding Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries announced in May that it is providing $1.35 million to
IMRIC’s Canada-Israel International Fetal Alcohol Consortium towards research aimed at improving early diagnosis, intervention and prevention of FASD. Oh, Jerusalem! CFHU was proud to learn that the IMAX film JERUSALEM won Best Film, Short Subject; Best Cinematography; and Big Idea Community Outreach at the 2014 Giant Screen Achievement Awards. The 45-minute, National Geographic Entertainment film was produced in partnership with CFHU. (See more on page 12.)
Museum for Human Rights and the Israel Asper Tower of Hope (above), as well as a series of stimulating talks and social events.
Accomplishments
The Next Einstein The winner of Canadian Friends’ 2014 Next Einstein contest, Alberta teen Marin Schultz, received $10,000 for his design of an inexpensive, 3D prosthetic hand, designed to be easily accessible to victims of landmines. Schultz envisions “a network of sponsored prosthetic dispensary nodes around the world, which would custom-print, assemble and fit the devices to any and all who need them.” Got a great idea for how to change the world? Watch for details on our upcoming contest at thenexteinstein.com. Inaugural AGM CFHU board members, supporters and stakeholders gathered in Winnipeg in September for our first-ever annual general meeting. Marking the organization’s 70th birthday, the meeting was a chance to celebrate past achievements and focus on CFHU’s future. Attendees were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Canadian
Lend a Hand to Heal When conditions escalated in Israel this past summer, CFHU responded immediately with its “Lend a Hand to Heal” initiative. Working with the Hebrew University’s Authority for Community and Youth, CFHU raised $38,000 to bus school-age children from Israel’s southern periphery to the Safra campus, where they enjoyed a fun, science-based learning program. A special kol hakavod to CFHU national board member and outstanding philanthropist Lenny Shapiro of Calgary, whose generous pledge to match donors’ funds encouraged even more support. March Madness Turns 20! CFHU’s March Madness Online US College Basketball Tournament has raised more than $600,000 in support of a variety of medical research and student scholarships at the HU. To mark the 20th anniversary of this CFHU tradition, committee co-chairs and Hebrew U alumni Lorne Persiko and David Kendal created the Bernard Persiko & Darren Kendal Merit Student Scholarship Fund. Eight scholarships were awarded in 2014. A portion of the funds raised was also directed toward the newly established Sam Garten Fund for Leukemia Research. (Read more about the impact of this funding on page 19.)
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Photo: Mark Neiman, Israel GPO
Hebrew U Achievements In Israel and internationally, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem excelled in 2014 — and the world noticed. The University ranked first in Israel and advanced to 138th (from 141st) worldwide in the prestigious 2014–15 QS World University Rankings. Within Israel, the Hebrew University was also ranked first in life sciences and medicine, arts and humanities, and academic reputation. The University was ranked #1 in Israel, #3 in Asia and 70th globally by the 2014 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), which rates the world’s 500 best universities from more than 1200 surveys.
Prizes & Awards
PRESIDENTIAL RECOGNITION In one of his final acts before leaving office, Israeli President Shimon Peres awarded scholarships totalling NIS 1.6 million to eight PhD students working to advance science for the betterment of humanity. Five awards went to Hebrew University students, four of whom study at the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Daria Feldman, Adi Kliot, Itai Ofner, Lidor Shaar and David Shohami each received NIS 200,000 to cover three years of university studies and research, with the goal of advancing health and quality of life in Israel and around the world.
SCIENTIFIC SYNERGY Two IMRIC researchers were recognized at the 2014 Kaye Awards for work that exemplifies the synergy between scientific excellence and commercial potential. Prof. Michal Baniyash (above) was recognized for her invention of novel prognostic/ diagnostic biomarkers to detect the immune status of people suffering from diseases characterized by chronic inflammation and immunosuppression. Yotam Bar-On, a PhD student of IMRIC Prof. Ofer Mandelboim, was recognized for his development of novel antibodies to treat influenza infections.
ISRAEL’S HIGHEST HONOUR Three Hebrew University professors were awarded 2014 Israel Prizes, the country’s top honour:
Business professor Haim Levy, who developed the new field of financial economics called Stochastic Dominance, was recognized for his innovations in the areas of political science, managerial science and international relations. Prof. Yaacov Katan, of the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, received the award for his work on solarization, an innovative method for controlling soilborne pests by solar energy. Prof. Emeritus Marta Weinstock-Rosin, of the School of Pharmacy, was recognized for her decades of work developing drug treatments for degenerative diseases of the central nervous system; the groundbreaking Alzheimer’s drug, Exelon, is among her many accomplishments.
Making Smartphones Smarter With one cell phone subscription for nearly every person on the planet, any innovation that reduces phones’ environmental footprint is a huge boon. Prof. Shlomo Magdassi (above, far left), the Enrique Berman Chair at the Hebrew University’s Casali Institute of Applied Chemistry, was recently recognized for his development of an affordable and Earth-friendly plastic touch-screen display for smart phones, which reduces the number of manufacturing steps by 80%. For his work, Prof. Magdassi received one of three $10,000 prizes from the Untold News Organization, an American nonprofit dedicated to promoting Israeli inventors and educating Americans on the positive news generated from the state of Israel.
CREATIVITY & ORIGINALITY Hebrew U cultural historian Prof. Dror Wahrman was awarded a 2014 Polonsky Prize for Creativity and Originality in the Humanistic Disciplines for his book, Mr. Collier’s Letter Racks: A Tale of Art and Illusions at the Threshold of the Modern Information Age. The book explores the hidden messages and intricate allusions in the work of 18th-century Dutch-English painter Edward Collier, who was engaged in a wholly original way with the major cultural transformation — the printing press — of his generation. Other Polonsky winners include archaeology Prof. Uzi Leibner, Tawfiq Da’adli, doctoral student Noa Nahnis and Prof. Ronit Ricci.
FIGHTING OSTEOSARCOMA IMRIC researcher Prof. Rami Aqeilan was awarded a $62,000 (USD) grant for his work on biomarkers of metastatic bone cancer and their responsiveness to therapy. The study may suggest new treatments, therapeutic targets or biomarkers for the management of the disease. The Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative partnered with the Alan B. Slifka Foundation to create the grant.
Striking Gold at Singapore Science Summit Hebrew University PhD student Yossi Kabessa won the $100,000 (USD) top prize in the Singapore Challenge at the Global Young Scientists Summit for his project of using genetically engineered bacteria as biosensors to detect pollutants and hazardous materials in municipal water systems. Kabessa studies at the Peter Brojde Center for Innovative Engineering and Computer Science.
NEUROSCIENCE EXCELLENCE In 2014, two IMRIC researchers — Prof. Hagai Bergman (left) and Prof. Albert Taraboulos — received the prestigious Prusiner-Abramsky Research Awards in Clinical and Basic Neuroscience, along with Dr. Dana Ekstein and Dr. Adia Vaknin-Dembinsky, both of the Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School’s Department of Neurology. Prof. Bergman was recognized for his groundbreaking work into deep-brain stimulation for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.
A PIONEER IN CANCER RESEARCH World-renowned Hebrew University cancer researcher Prof. Alexander Levitzki has helped to lay the foundation for personalized cancer therapies, contributing to the development of new and precise cancer medications including Gleevec and Sutent. For his achievements, he was awarded the 2014 Ilse and Helmut Wachter Award, presented at the Medical University of Innsbruck in the Tyrol of western Austria. Researchers at the two institutions hope to collaborate on cancer research.
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Photo by Hezi Hojesta
Photo courtesy of Prof. Daphna Atlas
Discoveries & accomplishments
IMRIC CANCER BREAKTHROUGH In what has been called a “breakthrough” discovery, IMRIC graduate student Avi Maimon, under the supervision of Dr. Rotem Karni (above), has identified a process by which cancer cells become resistant to certain drugs. The discovery could lead to more reliable predictions of whether chemotherapy will work in certain patients, and, in turn, more effective and personalized cancer treatment. Maimon’s findings were recently submitted as patent applications by Yissum, HU’s technology transfer company.
DIABETES DISCOVERY Because of high levels of blood sugar, diabetics have twice the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease as nondiabetics. Now, Hebrew University biological chemist Prof. Daphne Atlas (above) and her team have developed a molecule that could potentially lower that risk, paving the way toward preventing and treating the cognitive and memory impairments in people with diabetes. Prof. Atlas’s work has been patented by Yissum.
A STEP CLOSER TO STEM CELL THERAPY IMRIC researcher Dr. Yosef Buganim (above) and his colleagues at MIT have developed a new gene cocktail that is highly effective at reprogramming adult cells to become high-quality stem cells. The new cocktail has been shown to create better and more stable stem cells than those engineered with earlier gene combinations. The study advances the field of regenerative medicine, taking us closer to a time when we can treat patients in need of cell transplants.
DNA-BASED COMPUTERS An international group of scientists, led by Hebrew University professor Danny Porath (above), has made what may be the most significant breakthrough in a decade toward developing DNA-based electrical circuits. In a research paper published in the prestigious journal Nature Nanotechnology, the group reported achieving the first quantitative and reproducible flow of electric currents through DNA molecules. According to Prof. Porath, “This research could lead to a new generation of computer circuits that can be more sophisticated, cheaper and simpler to make.”
SEEING THE LIGHT Great news for the more than 15 million Americans with retinal damage and the resulting impaired vision: Hebrew University researchers, in collaboration with colleagues from Tel Aviv and Newcastle universities, have used semiconductor and nanotechnology to create a wireless, light-sensitive, flexible film that may one day be able to replace damaged retinas in humans. Prof. Uri Banin, the Alfred & Erica Larisch Memorial Chair in Solar Energy, worked in collaboration with his graduate student Nir Waiskopf at the Hebrew University Institute of Chemistry and Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.
DIGITAL EINSTEIN They’ve been called the “Dead Sea Scrolls” of physics: Einstein cemented his enduring commitment to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem by bequeathing to it his copyright, his image and his personal papers. The Albert Einstein Archives at the Hebrew University have made digitized versions of many of the physicist’s papers and photographs available online. In 2014, the Hebrew University and Princeton University released the open-access Digital Einstein, a massive, online written legacy comprising more than 30,000 unique documents. Check it out at www.einsteinpapers.press.princeton.edu.
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Archaeological Archway Three Hebrew University archaeologists — Roi Porat, Yakov Kalman and Rachel Chachy — have unearthed what appears to be an abandoned vanity project by the “architect-King” Herod, part of the monarch’s plan to turn his Herodium Hilltop Palace into a massive artificial hill shaped like a volcano. The archaeologists discovered a monumental entryway to the palace featuring a complex series of arches that reached a height of 20 metres. Herod apparently cancelled the project, instead deciding to convert the entire hilltop complex into a massive royal burial monument in his honour.
Brilliant ideas, from lab to market: 50 Years of Yissum 8500 patents filed. 2450 innovations. 750 licensed technologies. 300 job opportunities. 350 active research projects. 90 start-up companies. $2 billion in annual product sales. What does it all add up to? The immeasurable impact of 50 years of the Yissum Research Development Company, founded in February 1964 to protect and commercialize the intellectual property of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
(Credit: The Herodium Expedition at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
In those five decades, Yissum has been instrumental in bringing groundbreaking products to the world market, like blockbuster Alzheimer’s and cancer drugs Exelon and Doxil; agritech innovations that have brought deserts into bloom and harnessed plants to generate human collagen; and technological advances like Mobileye and Orcam, which make the world safer and more accessible for drivers, pedestrians and the visually impaired. Nanotechnology company Qlight recently signed a multiyear partnership with Germany’s Merck KGaA, while Morflora — whose TraitUP technology can deliver any genetic trait to any seed without transforming the genome of the treated plant — has signed collaboration deals with the world’s largest seed company. Atox Bio, meanwhile, recently raised $23 million for its drug to fight infections caused by flesheating bacteria. Yissum maintains research and business partnerships with global business giants including Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, Merck, Roche, Novartis, Microsoft, Intel and Coca-Cola, among others. More recently, its newly formed Integra Holdings company specializes in investing in promising Hebrew University biotech startups; a similar interface for agritech innovations is in the works.
Part of the of unique palace entry complex discovered at Herodian Hilltop Palace by Hebrew University archaeologists.
Photo: Prof. Jaap van Rijn of the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment invented the Zero Discharge Recirculating System for intensive fish culture. The system prevents pollution, while saving water, and can be operated in any climatic conditions. The technology is marketed by G.F.A. Advanced Systems (Israel).
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trAvel with cAnAdiAn friends Hebrew University agriculture professor Haim Rabinovich, with one of his — and Yissum’s — successes: the Daniela tomato. Bred to ripen slowly and last longer on shelves, it helped to revolutionize the fresh market industry. 8
live, leArn & explOre: lithuAniA, lAtviA & isrAel In 2014, CFHU’s Live, Learn & Explore trip delved into the wonder, tragedy and continuity of Jewish life in the Baltic region from medieval times until today. Accompanied by Hebrew University scholar-in-residence Prof. Richard Cohen, participants visited ancient synagogues and Jewish neighbourhoods, toured the remains of Jewish ghettos, absorbed the architectural marvels of the city of Riga and surrounding areas, and lunched with Hagit Ben Yaakov, the Israeli ambassador to Lithuania and Latvia, in her residence. In Israel, the group enjoyed high-level meetings and briefings with a range of Hebrew University researchers and personalities. Participants met with Carmi Gillon, former head of the Israeli secret service (Shin Bet). They learned about innovation and high technology in Israel through the Asper Center for Entrepreneurship and toured Israeli startups Clear Jet, Qlight and Collplant. They visited the architectural excavation of King Herod’s palace, heard from IMRIC researchers, and enjoyed the beauty of Mitzpe Ramon. Above: At a visit to a school in Kiryat Malachi, LLE participants were drawn into the fun of a Hebrew University–run robotics program for kids in this under-served community. The educational program, an initiative of the University’s Authority for Community and Youth and Meyerhoff Youth Center, struck a chord with the group, who were so touched by its quality and the children’s enjoyment of it that they made a donation to the robotics program..
BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING
Top left: Lenny Shapiro, centre, with some of the many recipients of scholarships he has funded.
A strong contingent of Canadians gathered in Jerusalem in June for the Hebrew University’s 77th annual Board of Governors meeting.
Top right: CFHU National Chair Murray Palay with one of the many Hebrew U students to receive scholarships at the annual Canadian dinner at the 2014 Board of Governors meeting.
The University recognized four longtime Canadian supporters. Winnipeg’s Gail Asper was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate; the Asper Centre for Entrepreneurship also paid tribute to Asper at a luncheon in her honour. Former Montreal chapter president Monette Malewski received an Honorary Fellowship, and her fellow Montrealer Leesa Steinberg was honoured at the Hebrew University’s Wall of Life. Andrew Brodiez”l, who passed away in 2013 at the age of 101, was also honoured at the Wall of Life.
Bottom left: Montrealers Anna Brojde and Irene Lipper. Bottom right: (l to r) Gail Asper, Leesa Steinberg, and Monette Malewski were all honoured at the 2014 Hebrew U Board of Governors meeting.
At a special and very touching gathering, Calgary’s Lenny Shapiro met with many of the recipients of his generous scholarships to Hebrew U students. Montreal’s Brojde family hosted a lively luncheon at the Peter Brojde Center for Innovative Engineering and Computer Science.
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AcrOss cAnAdA
cfhu gAlA events
Vancouver’s Justin Segal, the son of Gary Segal, MC’d a gala dinner in his father’s honour.
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In 2014, CFHU showcased the Hebrew University’s and IMRIC’s spectacular achievements in a series of stunning gala events that paid homage to local leaders.
Vancouver
Winnipeg
CFHU President & CEO Rami Kleinmann, CFHU National Chair Murray Palay, honourees Gary and Nanci Segal, Vancouver CFHU President Randy Milner and Ram Semo, Director, Division for Advancement and External Relations at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Murray Palay, Hebrew University President Menahem Ben-Sasson, Scopus honouree Moe Levy.
Honouring Gary Segal In April, CFHU partnered with the 2014 JNF Gala Dinner to celebrate the humanitarian work of Gary Segal, Vice President of Kingswood Capital Corp. Chaired by Kira Levy, with honorary chairs Ben Goldberg and Josephine Nadel, the event helped the JNF and CFHU raise $650,000 to fund a scientific educational program for youth in the periphery in Israel.
2014 Scopus Award In May, the Winnipeg chapter presented Moses (Moe) Levy, Executive Director of The Asper Foundation, with its 2014 Scopus Award. Levy is one of the key leaders and organizers behind the establishment of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Close to $1 million was raised to support infrastructure and other priorities at IMRIC.
Ottawa
Toronto
Dinner Chair Stephen Victor, CFHU President & CEO Rami Kleinmann, Ottawa chapter President Susan Katz, Ottawa chapter Executive Director Shelli Kimmel, honouree Dorothy Nadolny, CFHU National Chair Murray Palay and Prof. Isaiah Arkin, Hebrew University VP of Research and Development.
Hebrew University President Menahem Ben-Sasson, event Chair Gerry Halbert, honouree Dr. Tony Lang and HU Prof. Hagai Bergman.
The Heart of IMRIC In November, CFHU partnered with the JNF on its annual Negev dinner, honouring Dorothy Nadolny for her 50+ years of fundraising and philanthropy. The event raised more than $1.3 million for the establishment of the Herbert and Dorothy Nadolny CardioMetabolic Diseases Research Hub at IMRIC.
A Tribute To Tony In May, 350 guests attended “A Tribute to Tony,” celebrating a landmark partnership between Toronto Western Hospital (UHN)’s renowned brain scientist Dr. Tony Lang and IMRIC’s Prof. Hagai Bergman. The event raised nearly $1 million in support of research partnerships into Parkinson’s disease. Prof. Bergman was recently recognized for his groundbreaking work into deep-brain stimulation for the treatment of Parkinson’s (see page 5). 11
AcrOss cAnAdA
cfhu chApter highlights In 2014, CFHU’s national chapters continued their long-standing tradition of creating, curating and hosting a series of dynamic events and galas that showcased the Hebrew University’s and IMRIC’s achievements.
JERUSALEM in la belle province: CFHU’s Montreal chapter held a special screening of the IMAX film JERUSALEM in honour of its late, legendary executive producer — and CFHU supporter — Jake Eberts. (l to r) Jake’s son David Eberts, chapter President Ari Brojde, writer and director Daniel Ferguson and Quebec media personality Anne Lagacé Dowson.
tOrOntO
(Left to right) CFHU board member Judy Nathan Bronfman, JERUSALEM cast members Nadia Tadros, Farah Ammouri and Revital Zacharie, writer and director Daniel Ferguson and CFHU board member Karen SimpsonRadomski at the film’s premiere in Toronto.
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JeRusaleM PReMieR The three young women featured in the IMAX documentary JERUSALEM flew from Israel to be at the film’s premiere in Toronto in February. Farah Ammouri, who is Muslim, Nadia Tadros, who is Christian, and Revital Zacharie, who is Jewish, answered questions about their experience after the screening, along with Daniel Ferguson, JERUSALEM’s Montreal-born writer and director. Toronto CFHU board members Judy Nathan Bronfman and Karen Simpson-Radomski hosted an intimate reception the night before the screening. The 45-minute National Geographic Entertainment film was produced in partnership with CFHU. In October, Canadian Friends’ Montreal chapter hosted that city’s screening as a tribute to its producer — and CFHU supporter — the late Jake Eberts (see above photo).
OttAwA
MOntreAl
Yissum president and CEO Yaacov Michlin spoke at the chapter’s Einstein Business Forum.
Pierre Boivin, President and CEO of Claridge Investments (l), with CFHU Montreal chapter President Ari Brojde. Boivin was the keynote speaker for the Albert Einstein Business Forum.
einstein Business FORuM Yaacov Michlin, President and CEO of Yissum, the Hebrew University’s technology transfer and commercialization organization, was the keynote speaker at the Ottawa chapter’s Einstein Business Forum in March. At a breakfast presentation at the Ottawa offices of event co-sponsor (with Welch LLP) Gowlings, Michlin discussed his role in leading and assisting pharmaceutical, high-tech and biomedical companies — including Teva, Bioline, CBI and Brainsway — in technology commercialization deals, licensing agreements, capital raising, mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures. (Read more about Yissum on page 7.)
alBeRt einstein Business FORuM luncheOn CFHU’s Montreal Chapter hosted Pierre Boivin, President and CEO of Claridge Investments, as the keynote speaker for its 2014 Albert Einstein Business Forum Luncheon series. Nearly 70 community and business leaders gathered for Boivin’s presentation on “Investing in Israel.” In February, Claridge Inc. and the Caisse de depôt et placement du Québec announced a partnership to launch the Claridge CDPQ Israel, a new investment firm based in Tel Aviv. As part of the luncheon, sommelier Serge Dahan led a tasting of two Israeli wines. Boivin also spoke at an Einstein business luncheon in Toronto.
vAncOuver
winnipeg
Panel facilitator Michael Levy, CFHU board member Stav Adler, Rabbi Andrew Rosenblatt, Prof. Raphael Mechoulam and Dr. Kathryn Selby.
MisPhatiM Misphatim is on its way to becoming the premier program for Canadian law students to study in Israel. The three-week academic partnership between the University of Manitoba law school and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has expanded to include not only U of M law students but also students from its Asper School of Business and law students from across Canada. With a focus on Israel’s strength as a world leader in high-tech innovations, students compare and contrast how Israel and Canada each adapt constitutional and regulatory frameworks to their respective social and economic challenges.
VancOuVeR MaRiJuana cOnFeRence In June, three experts “stirred the pot” on the subject of marijuana. Hebrew University chemist and world-renowned medical marijuana expert Prof. Raphael Mechoulam debated the topic with UBC neurology professor Kathryn Selby and Schara Tzedeck Synagogue’s spiritual leader Rabbi Andrew Rosenblatt, who also has a biochemistry degree. Michael Levy, CKNW radio and Global TV personality, moderated the panel.
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CFHU gratefully acknowledges and appreciates all of our generous supporters over the past year. Every effort has been made to ensure that donors who have given $1,000+ between October 1, 2013 and September 30, 2014 are listed correctly. Please contact us with any questions or concerns.
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Paul Metcalfe
ONTARIO REGION
Mid-West Quilting Company Ltd.
Anonymous
Metalware Corporation The Mitzi & Melvin Dobrin
MANITOBA REGION
J. Stephen & Irene Lipper Monette Malewski
Estate of Isabelle Miles
David Bach & Judy Hoenich
Active Builders Ltd.
MNP LLP
Paul Bedard & Louise Teitelbaum
Aikins Law
Richard Morantz & Sheree
John & Gay Berger
National Bank of Canada
Paul & Helen Esco
Elizabeth Ostro
Akman Construction
Walder Morantz
Family Foundation
Alpha Masonry
Michael Nesbitt
Gloria Jacobs
Marcel & Pnina Pinchevsky
Abe & Barbara Anhang
Peter Nicholson
The Morris & Beverly Baker
Michael Rosenthal
AQ Group Solutions
Michael Nozick & Cheryl Ashley
The Asper Foundation
Murray Palay & Ivy Kopstein
Earl & Cheryl Barish
Payworks
Morley & Marjorie Blankstein
PCL Constructors Canada Inc.
David & Sheila Brodovsky
Rochelle Pincovich
OTTAWA REGION
Daniel A. Bubis & Jennifer
Pitblado LLP
Susannah Dalfen
Irwin & Sara Tauben
Foundation The Rudolph P. Bratty Family Foundation
Jeffrey Schwartz Estate of Louis Sheinman Bryant & Lillian Shiller Bernard Shuster Leesa Steinberg
PPI Solutions
The Danbe Foundation
Tom Taras Investments Ltd.
John & Bonnie Buhler
Price Waterhouse Coopers
Roger Greenberg & Cindy Feingold
Value Contrarian Asset
Travis de Koning
Quadrant Asset Management
Dorothy Nadolny**
Neil & Carol Duboff
Raymond C. Wan Architect
Ottawa Jewish Community
Ferraro Investments Ltd.
Resolve Project Management
Fillmore Riley
James Richardon & Sons, Limited
John & Sunny Tavel
David Folk & Laurel Malkin
Jim & Leney Richardson
Stephen Victor & Gail Victor
SASKATCHEWAN REGION
Arnold & Myra Frieman
Stephen & Corky Rosenfield
David & Deborah Weinstein
Harvard Developments Inc.
Robert & Miral Gabor
Brent Schacter & Sora Ludwig
Norman & Carole Zagerman
The Gail Asper Family
Secter/Guralnick Families
Blumenthal
Foundation
Management Sylvia & Louis Vogel Maks Wulkan & Diane Grossman
UNITED STATES
Shelter Canadian Properties Ltd.
QUÉBEC REGION
Jeff Gindin & Susie Holt
Robert & Sandy Shindelman
Alvin Segal Family Foundation**
Ralph Appelbaum Associates,Inc.
Globe General Agencies
Edward Shinewald
Dominique Anglade
Alan Zekelman
Debby Gray
Paul & Margaret Shuckett
Anonymous
Ted & Gail Hechter
Bob & Kim Silver
The Azrieli Foundation
Yude Henteleff & Joy Winchell
Smith Carter Architects and
Kenneth Berall
Foundation Inc.
Murray Holt
Engineers Inc.
Industrial Metals
Frank & Gail Spivak
Jeffrey Itzkow & Cathy Moser
St. Boniface Hospital Research
Johnson Waste Management Robert & Terri Kaufmann Marjorie E. Kay
Foundation Leonard & Rosemary Steingarten
Larry J. Hochberg
L. Michael & Sharon Blumenstein Anna Brojde Rebecca Butovsky Morrie & Diane Cohen Dev. Metro - Montreal Corporation
Bryan Klein & Susan Halprin
Brian & Geraldine Taillieu
Robert & Deidre Kozminski
Taylor McCaffrey LLP
Donley Investments Limited
Serena Kraayveld
Tedco Group Inc.
Sharron Feifer
*Deceased **Honouree
15
finAnciAls bAlAnce sheet as OF sePteMBeR 30
Assets
2014
2013
$2,564,615
$1,170,354
$110,702
$120,818
$63,921,126
$65,175,463
Other
$712,035
$608,317
Total
$67,308,478
$67,074,952
2014
2013
$608,262
$591,488
Cash State of Israel Bonds Managed Funds
liAbilities Accounts payable
2014/2013 MAnAged funds
16
fund bAlAnces
2014
2013
$66,700,216
$66,483,464
2014
2013
$466,165
$1,433,734
Fixed income
$13,459,169
$24,604,185
equities
$36,134,284
$39,137,544
Multi-strategy and real assets
$13,861,508
-
Total
$63,921,126
$65,175,463
Fund Balances
MAnAged funds OnlY cash
Selected Financial Information. (Expressed in US Funds)
incOMe stAteMent FOR the YeaR ended sePteMBeR 30
revenues
2014
2013
Donations
$6,248,472
$6,291,659
Investment Gain
$6,693,828
$7,455,844
$12,942,300
$13,747,503
2014
2013
Expenditures
$3,866,343
$4,009,953
Charitable Disributions
$8,859,205
$8,197,069
$12,725,548
$12,207,022
$216,752
$1,540,481
Total
expenditures
Total Excess of Revenues Over Expenditures
chAritAble distributiOns
2014
2013
Hebrew University
$8,409,355 (95%)
$7,865,307 (95%)
Canadian universities and foundations
$289,905 (3%)
$124,720 (2%)
Scholarships, research grants and other academic affairs
$159,945 (2%)
$207,042 (3%)
$8,859,205
$8,197,069
Total
2014 chAritAble
distributiOns 95%
2% 3% Canadian universities and foundations
Hebrew University
Scholarships, research grants and other academic affairs
2013 chAritAble
distributiOns 95% Hebrew University
3% 2% Canadian universities and foundations Scholarships, research grants and other academic affairs
17
students
Open Minds in the Midst Of chAllenge canadian students at the hebrew university of Jerusalem demonstrated their open-mindedness, resourcefulness, intellectual rigour and sociopolitical curiosity in 2014. Last summer, Canada sent more international students to the Hebrew University than any other country, all of whom stayed in Israel despite the escalating tensions. With ever-strengthening partnerships between the Hebrew University and Canadian schools — including the University of Western Ontario, Dalhousie, the University of Manitoba , the University of Ottawa, the University of British Columbia, McGill University, York University and U of T — Canadian students were able to choose from a variety of highlevel course offerings that showcased Israel’s unique standpoints and talent. Scholarships are an essential part of attracting Canadian students to the Hebrew University. Here, we feature the voices of several students who were able to attend Hebrew U because of scholarship funding. Please consider supporting Canadian and Israeli students in their studies at Hebrew U.
to learn more about hebrew u international program and scholarship opportunities, contact student affairs at admissions@cfhu.org. 18
Torontonian-turned-Israeli Lauren Abecassis-Kandravy (left) and a close friend on study trip, May 2015.
lauRen aBecassis-KandRaVY, 27 Ma in Public Policy, Federmann school of Public Policy, hebrew university of Jerusalem; Bernard Persiko and darren Kendal Merit scholarship, Peter lougheed Fellowship in canadian studies My time at HUJI has been overwhelmingly positive. The professors are engaging and at the top of their field, and I’ve been warmly welcomed into an Israeli, Hebrew-speaking student population — even though I speak with a funny accent! The challenge and quality of education that I am getting, coupled with the unique experience of studying in Jerusalem, will be a life-enhancing experience. The funding and grants I have received have helped ease the financial burden of studying, especially overseas without my immediate family close by.
gRace KO, 24 university of Ottawa, Faculty of law asper national scholarship, stephen Victor scholarship and Zelikovitz Family scholarship My experience in Israel was simply: unforgettable. Living in Israel humanized the recent escalation of the Israel-Gaza conflict; examining the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a wide range of narratives challenged me to grasp the history and potential evolution of the conflict. I learned to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the Israeli culture. This opportunity would not have been possible without the support from the Canadian Friends of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Samuel Mosonyi (2nd from right) with friends in Kiryat Shmona.
saMuel MOsOnYi, 23 MPhil candidate in criminology, university of cambridge Bernard Persiko and darren Kendal Merit scholarship The Coexistence in the Middle East course at Rothberg challenged my perceptions and opened my eyes to the nuances of the region. Rather than sitting in a classroom, we went out to meet political and community leaders. We learned and heard from people on all sides of the conflict, and also observed heartening instances of cooperation and peace-building. I am grateful to the Persiko and Kendal Merit Scholarship, which helped make it possible for me to study at the world-renowned Hebrew University. I look forward to giving back to CFHU by serving as an ambassador for the University.
Sarah Park (far right) with fellow students at The Hebrew University.
saRah PaRK university of Ottawa, Faculty of law asper national scholarship, stephen Victor scholarship and Zelikovitz Family scholarship A CFHU scholarship enabled me to attend the Hebrew University’s course “Co-existence In the Middle East: Inside the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” taught by one of the leading experts and social activists, Gershon Baskin. His optimism and passion for peace in the region helped me to gain a new and honest viewpoint about the situation in the Middle East (especially during the month of July — one of the most intense periods of conflict in recent years!). As a law student who is training to be “a problem-solver”, I believe one of the most important lessons I learned at the HU was that we must focus on people, not the conflict itself. 19
leadership National Board of Directors Ronald Appleby
Audit Committee Past Chair
Gail Asper Cheryl Baron Evelyn Bloomfield Schachter Ari Brojde
Michael Fromstein Harley Mintz
Calgary Chapter President Secretary Montreal Chapter President
Joey Ohayon
Chair
Stephen Simms
Casey Chisick
Planned Giving Committee
Lewis Dobrin
Justin Abrams
Robert Gabor
Michael Fromstein
Rose Marie Glassman
Sam Hanson
Lorne Greenspoon
Monette Malewski
Gerald Halbert Ralph Halbert
Past Chair President Emeritus, Former Chair International Board of Governors, Past Chair
Samuel Hanson
Yude M. Henteleff
Susan Katz Joshua Kleinman
Ottawa Chapter President
Nathan Lindenberg
Past Chair
J. Stephen Lipper
Past Chair
Monette Malewski Randy Masters Randall M. Milner
Toronto Chapter President Vancouver Chapter President
Harley Mintz
Vice President, Finance
Murray Palay
Chair
Brent A. Schacter
Samuel Schwartz
Leonard Shapiro
Lillian Shiller
Margaret Shuckett Bernard Shuster Howard Sniderman Samuel Spanglet Philip Switzer Stephen Victor Melvyn Wolfond
Winnipeg Chapter President Edmonton Chapter President Vice President Past Chair
Investment Committee Danny Bubis Tom Gunn Nathan Kraftchuk Merle Kriss Nathan Lindenberg Harry Marmer Randy Masters Murray Palay Ian Rosmarin
Chair
Stuart Schipper Sam Spanglet Slocum
Consultants
National Executive Team Michael Abrams
Chief Financial Officer
Simon Bensimon
Executive Director, Eastern Region
Elan Divon
Executive Director, Toronto Chapter
Moshik Galanty
National Director, Student & Academic Affairs
Merle Goldman
Executive Vice President
Shelli Kimmel Rami Kleinmann Miriam Pilc-Levine Dina Wachtel Sharon Zalik
Executive Director, Ottawa Chapter President & CEO National Director, Communications & Marketing Executive Director, Western Region Executive Director, Winnipeg Chapter
cAnAdiAn friends Of the hebrew universitY Of JerusAleM Our MissiOn
Founded in 1944 by Canadian philanthropist Allan Bronfman, CFHU promotes awareness, leadership and financial support for the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. We facilitate academic research parterships between Canada and Israel and establish scholarships, support research, cultivate student and faculty exchanges and recruit students to attend the Rothberg International School.
institute fOr MedicAl reseArch isrAel-cAnAdA (iMric)
IMRIC is committed to bringing together Israel’s and Canada’s most brilliant scientific minds to find solutions to the world’s most serious medical problems through a multidisciplinary approach to biomedical research. CFHU is dedicated to supporting IMRIC through direct funding and by developing key collaborative medical research partnerships between Canada and Israel.
For more information, please visit cfhu.org and imric.org.
natiOnal/tOROntO OFFice 3080 Yonge Street, Suite 3020 PO Box 65, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3N1 Phone 416-485-8000 1-888-HEBREW-U (432-7398) Fax 416-485-8565 cfhu.org General Inquiry: info@cfhu.org Tribute Cards & Donations: donations@cfhu.org Student Inquiry: admissions@cfhu.org
MOntReal chaPteR 514-932-2133 mtl@cfhu.org
calgaRY chaPteR 403-297-0605 calgary@cfhu.org
Ottawa chaPteR 613-829-3150 ott@cfhu.org
edMOntOn chaPteR 780-444-0809 edmonton@cfhu.org
winniPeg chaPteR 204-942-3085 wpg@cfhu.org
VancOuVeR chaPteR 604-257-5133 vanc@cfhu.org