Laying the Groundwork for BGU Germany

On 16 November 2025, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) was represented by senior university leadership at a public event at Berlin’s James-Simon-Galerie on Museum Island, marking an important step toward the establishment of BGU Germany. The afternoon program, which featured a screening of the documentary Who Are the Marcuses? – A Single Gift Can Change the World, drew nearly 200 guests despite heavy rain.

The event was organized by Richard Markus, a distant relative of the Marcus family and the intended president of BGU Germany, in cooperation with the Sukkat Schalom congregation, the German-Israeli Society and the Verein Berliner Kaufleute und Industrieller (VBKI). Advance registration reached 230 participants, underscoring broad interest in the university’s work and in strengthening its presence in Germany.

The documentary tells the story of Howard (Werner) and Lottie Marcus, German Jews who fled Nazi Germany, rebuilt their lives in the United States, and later made a gift of USD 500 million to Ben-Gurion University—the largest single private donation ever made to an Israeli institution at the time. The film places their decision within a historical context and highlights their support for research in the Negev, with particular emphasis on water, sustainability and desert studies.

Following the screening, Ellen Marcus, daughter of Howard and Lottie Marcus and Vice Chair of the BGU Board of Governors, took part in a discussion with the audience. She addressed questions regarding her parents’ connection to Israel, their long-term commitment to Ben-Gurion University, and their belief in the Negev as a center for research and development.

Jeff Kaye, Vice President for Public Affairs and Resource Development at BGU, spoke about the role of the Marcus gift in supporting the university’s academic development and research capacity over time. Referring to the long-term nature of the investment, he noted that “the Marcus family’s decision was not about a single project or moment, but about enabling Ben-Gurion University to plan, build and pursue research excellence over decades.” He also referenced BGU’s campuses in Beer-Sheva, Sde Boker and Eilat, and their contribution to research with international relevance.

Dr. Shimrit Maman, a senior researcher at BGU and recently appointed Chair of the Israel Space Agency, presented an overview of the university’s multidisciplinary research environment and its engagement with national and international scientific initiatives.

Positioned as both a cultural and academic gathering, the Berlin event served as a platform for introducing Ben-Gurion University’s mission to a German audience and for laying the foundations of BGU Germany, intended to strengthen long-term engagement between the university and its supporters in Germany.