São Paulo Community Events Celebrate BGU
Building Lasting Connections Between BGU and Supporters in Brazil
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) was introduced to members of the Jewish community in São Paulo at a public event hosted by the Kehilat Shalom community on December 4. The evening brought together dozens of participants for a program combining film, personal testimony, and discussion, offering a focused look at the University’s mission and global impact.
The event opened with a short film presenting Ben-Gurion University and its role in advancing research and education in Israel’s south. Ronie Terni offered a brief personal account of the Halutz Initiative for Global Leadership, focusing on his experiences with the program’s third cohort and the impressions he formed of BGU. He has since taken a leading role in efforts to establish an association of friends of BGU in São Paulo, reflecting growing local interest in strengthening ties with the University.
Jeff Kaye, Vice President for Public Affairs and Resource Development at BGU, welcomed guests and introduced them to the University’s history, mission, and research priorities, highlighting its commitment to addressing regional and global challenges through science, education, and international partnership.
The central feature of the evening was the screening of the documentary Who Are the Marcuses? – A Single Gift Can Change the World, which tells the story of Howard and Lottie Marcus and their historic philanthropic support for BGU. Following the film, Ellen Marcus, daughter of Howard and Lottie, and Vice Chair of BGU’s Board of Governors, took part in a conversation with Jeff Kaye. Their discussion reflected on the Marcus family’s legacy, their connection to Israel, and their belief in research in the Negev as a center for water technology that could foster peace and self-sufficiency.
The evening concluded with a reception, providing an opportunity for informal conversation and continued exchange among guests.
The public event was preceded the previous evening, on December 3, by a cocktail gathering hosted by Marcelo Steuer, who has been active in efforts to form a local BGU association, at his home. Attended by approximately 40 prominent members of the São Paulo Jewish community, the evening offered a more intimate setting for conversations with Ellen Marcus and Jeff Kaye about BGU’s significance for the Negev.
These events served as both an introduction to the university and a platform for dialogue, deepening connections between BGU and its supporters in Sao Paulo. They marked an important step in strengthening ties between BGU and the Jewish community in Brazil and laying the groundwork for continued collaboration in years ahead.
Photo credit: Marcela Zegman Fotografia
