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Shabbat Message: Keeping Our Eye on the Target

Dear Friends,

I’ve often written about our commitment to increasing the research output of Ben-Gurion University, and indeed, over the last six years, we’ve invested millions of dollars from both university and philanthropic sources to advance this goal.

The Guzik Center for Advanced Microscopy is one example of such an investment. This facility provides researchers across disciplines with access to state-of-the-art microscopy tools, enabling discoveries in cell biology, drug development, and materials science. This Center alone has helped us secure millions in public research funding, demonstrating how investment in infrastructure builds scientific capacity and reputation.

Why mention this now?

Because while we are constantly working to build and grow, reality keeps confronting us with crises that pull us into recovery mode. Just when we move forward, we are forced to pivot, such as to manage the disruptions of COVID, the fallout of October 7, or the destruction from the recent Iranian missile attacks. Most recently, I returned from a brief trip to the abroad, where I met with the head of a major foundation that supports scientific equipment for Israeli universities, including BGU.

He asked me: should funds originally allocated for research now be redirected to our emergency needs?

Without hesitation, I said no.

If we start cannibalizing our future to survive the present, we risk losing sight of our mission. Scientific excellence cannot be postponed until things calm down, especially not in the Negev.

But he then asked another question: if additional funding becomes available, are there remaining emergency needs?

To that, the answer is surely yes.

We are moving forward with plans to rebuild and restore the labs and teaching facilities damaged in the Joyce and Irving Goldman Medical School, the gymnasium destroyed in the Sylvan Adams Sports Center, and dozens of other damaged facilities across campus. Our emergency campaign is not yet complete. But with your continued partnership, I am confident we will meet our goals.

Still, we must not let today’s emergency override our long-term vision.

Our target remains clear: to fulfill the vision for a "Hebrew Oxford of the Negev". We can only do that by growing our research, empowering our faculty, and investing in the future, even when today makes that difficult.

Shabbat Shalom,
Danny

Dear Friends, I’ve often written about our commitment to increasing the research output of Ben-Gurion University, and indeed, over the last six years, we’ve invested millions of dollars from both university and philanthropic sources to advance this goal. The Guzik Center for Advanced Microscopy is one example of such an investment. This facility provides researchers across disciplines with access to state-of-the-art microscopy tools, enabling discoveries in cell biology, drug development, and materials science. This Center alone has helped us secure millions in public research funding, demonstrating how investment in infrastructure builds scientific capacity and reputation. Why mention this now? Because while we are constantly working to build and grow, reality keeps confronting us with crises that pull us into recovery mode. Just when we move forward, we are forced to pivot, such as to manage the disruptions of COVID, the fallout of October 7, or the destruction from the recent Iranian missile attacks. Most
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