On March 19th the Hebrew University launched the updated and expanded Einstein Archives website at www.alberteinstein.info  containing a complete catalogue of more than 80 000 documents in the University’s Einstein Archives. This includes more than 40 000 documents contained in Albert Einstein’s personal papers and over 30 000 additional Einstein and Einstein-related documents discovered since the 1980s by the Einstein Archives staff and the editors of The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein.

The launch was simulataneiously marked at Princeton University Press and the Einstein Papers Projects and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), who has collaborated with the Hebrew University in a long-term project to publish The Collected Papers of Albert Einstein – one of the most ambitious publishing ventures ever undertaken in the documentation of the history of science.

Watch this Einstein Archives Launch video to learn more!

With gratuitous thanks to the Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University, I was able to achieve all that I had hoped for during my semester abroad in Israel. One thing I learned is that nobody is ever alone when in Israel. No matter what problems you have, there is always a great community of people for support.

My fondest memories of Israel were not of experimenting with the amazing buoyancy of the Dead Sea or experiencing the diversity and warmth of a night out in Tel Aviv. It wasn’t about seeing the highlights of the Old City in Jerusalem or rafting down the
Jordanian River by the Golan Heights. No, my fondest memories of Israel were of surviving the rough times with the people.

The hours of frustration spent with classmates trying to decipher Hebrew and the feeling of enlightenment as we began to grasp the language for the first time, together. That’s what I remember. Or planning an ambitious road trip with my roommates with the intention of seeing the entire country, but instead spending half a day learning to orient ourselves and getting accustomed to the symphony of car horns. Or even the chaos of going to the “shuk” in Jerusalem on a Thursday while the entire city races to buy supplies before Shabbat. It was times like these when I felt myself evolve. I suddenly developed an affinity for learning new languages and overcame social anxiety to practice them. I gained the confidence I needed to trust myself and my sense of direction. And finally the patience to just roll with what life has to offer and not to sweat the small stuff.

Israel is a multifaceted country with multifaceted experiences. No matter where you’re from or what religious doctrine you do or don’t follow, you can’t help feel part of Israel when you visit. The country will open your mind and push you in all of the right ways and you’ll leave feeling changed, having grown, and with remarkably positive experiences.

Charlie Lee attended the Rothberg International School at the Hebrew University in fall 2011.

In honour of these inventions which have benefited humanity in various ways, a new photo exhibit called The Innovators Way by Israeli photographer Nati Shohat was launched at the Hebrew University on Sunday March 11th. This exhibit showcases 27 Israeli inventors whose work has led to commercial products that are on the market today. “If Israel is the start-up nation, then the Hebrew university is the start-up of the start-up nation,” said Hebrew U president Prof. Menahem Ben-Sasson. “So far the university has registered approximately 7000 patents protecting roughly 2000 developments and inventions, and founded 72 companies based on some of those inventions.”

This is a pretty remarkable number of inventions for such a small country! They span across a number of areas including agriculture, healthcare and technology. Some of these inventions being featured in The Innovators Way exhibit include:

• A system that prevents accidents by warning drivers in real-time about dangerous conditions
• Exelon, an FDA-approved drug that slows the progression of Alzheimer’s
• An eye drop therapy and ointment for treating psoriasis
• A system that prevents environmental pollution, uses water economically and operates in any climate for intensive culture of freshwater and marine fish

They say that the way to a man’s heart is through his
stomach. As a girl, I must inform you that this statement is slightly
misleading – you can certainly get to my heart through food too.

Last week the Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University
sponsored an event that tried to appeal to everyone’s heart: Chefs4Peace.

Chefs4peace is a traveling non-for-profit initiative that
brings together Jewish and Muslim chefs who promote coexistence though hosting
cooking workshops. The chefs involved in the organization are subject to a
number of interviews and tests to confirm that they want to participate in the
organization as an ambassador of peace, not politics. Together with students
and community members of all faiths, the chefs direct those who attend their
workshops on how to cut, peel, and cook certain foods. Each table was given a
variety of fruits and vegetables to work on at the direction of the peaceful
pro’s. Once everything was ready, each table delivered the food to the chefs
who made an incredible meal, and an even better dessert. We attended to show our support for peaceful initiatives
and coexistence, as it’s something we practice every day at the Hebrew
University! Our classes are comprised of people of all faiths, ages, and
nationalities, so the event was a perfect fit with what we do every day at Hebrew U!

For more information on
Chefs4Peace, check out their website here:  http://www.chefs4peace.com/

Despite the lack of Oscar wins, Israel still has a rich and diverse heritage in film. The Steven Spielberg Jewish Film Archive, located at the Hebrew University, is dedicated to the preservation and research of Jewish documentary films. The archive was established in the late 1960′s by Professor Moshe Davis and other historians at the Hebrew University. In 1987, following a generous donation from Steven Spielberg, the archive was named for him. It The archive holds about 16 000 different titles dealing with a variety of Jewish subjects; Jewish history, the establishment of the State of Israeli, immigration, Jewish communities in the Diaspora and the relationships between them and Israelis. The films range in time form the early 20th century, before Israel was established, until the present day.

To this day Steven Spielberg continues to take an interest in the archive’s activities. Although the archive may not hold Academy Award-winning films, having an Oscar winning director’s support is what I would consider a stamp of approval!

To learn more about the Steven Spielberg Jewish Film Archive at the Hebrew University click here.

For three months I studied at the Masa Israel-accredited Hebrew University in Jerusalem, doing a semester exchange during my third year of law school at the University of Windsor. From the time I first learned about the opportunity to spend a semester abroad, I knew I would choose Israel. There, I would be able to explore the field of international law, understand how Israelis my age approach their academics post-army service, and immerse myself in Israeli society. I also knew that I would benefit from a taste of the traditional and infamous Israeli chutzpah.

The campus of Hebrew University is like no other. Situated on Mount Scopus, one of the highest points in Jerusalem, the entire city, both old and new, is in full view.

The campus synagogue overlooks the Old City with the Dome of the Rock as its centrepiece, surrounded by the modern parts of the city, with Arab and Jewish neighbourhoods painting the horizon. Standing in the almost-century-old campus amphitheatre on a clear day, you can see across the eastern part of the country: an Arab village is followed by a Jewish settlement, then the Judean Desert, the Dead Sea, and finally Jordan’s red mountains.

When I was not admiring the view, my classroom education was not simply confined to textbooks either. Studying international law in Jerusalem did not include the typical classroom experience.

I learned about the legal status of Jerusalem while sitting in a room on Mount Scopus, which is technically an island within the West Bank. My professors, immigrants from Britain, France, Uruguay and Argentina, spoke about border issues with the security barrier and Green Line right outside the window. We learned about rocket attacks and self-defence with the directions to the nearest bomb shelter posted at the front of the class. Situated in the midst of the Arab-Israeli conflict, while studying law and its practical applications, provided unrivalled learning opportunities.

I did face challenges during my semester in Israel. Israel is notorious for its bureaucracy; It took nine different kinds of photo ID to get my bus pass, seven attempts at registration to get my final class schedule, five sets of directions to find the law building, and three attempts at pushing my way into the bus (elbows up) without knocking over the elderly rabbi and his wife – who were also trying to get home for Shabbat. Yet, at the end of the day – with my newfound sense of chutzpah intact – I felt a deep connection to my surroundings, and appreciation that Israel is the one place that any Jew can call home.

Now, back in Canada where I am articling at a law firm in Toronto, far from the history and falafel stands of Jerusalem, I continue to apply the academic and professional lessons I gained in Israel – and the life lessons learned there too. I know my new “elbows-up” aggressive manoeuvres may serve me well in court – but I apologize, in advance, if you’re standing next to me in line for the bus.

Masa Israel Journey, which runs over 200 academic, internship and volunteer programs in Israel, is a project of the Jewish Agency for Israel and the Government of Israel.

Written by Adam Hummel. Posted in the Jewish Tribune

The Hebrew University’s Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada (IMRIC)

• IMRIC researchers win Canada Gairdner International Medical Science Award
• Hebrew U students and faculty ran in the Jerusalem Night Run, a prelude to the Jerusalem Marathon, in support of IMRIC
• A virtual cane for sight-impaired people was developed by IMRIC
• Albert Einstein came back to life for the first ever Virtual Marathon for Medical Research 

CFHU and the Hebrew University

• CFHU honoured Canadian film producer Jake Eberts in Montreal with the first Key of Knowledge Award
• The winning team of Hebrew U students will represent Israel in an international law competition 
• Canadian toy makers go to Israel to share their secrets with aspiring inventors at the Hebrew University Science Youth Program 
• Hebrew University climbs to 57th place on global ranking list 

We are so proud of these amazing achievements and we look forward to seeing what awaits us in 2012. Happy New Year everyone!

Think again. On December 11, the Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University (CFHU) will make the impossible happen when HU “spokes-avatar” Albert Einstein hosts Canadian Friends’ inaugural Virtual Marathon for Medical Research (VMMR) in support of the Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada (IMRIC) at the Hebrew University. The famed physicist will be virtually reanimated to provide play-by-play commentary on one of the most most exciting races never run.

The VMMR is a state-of-the-art fundraising initiative that uses avatars as competitors in a virtual marathon race. Those avatars will be cheered on by people like you, their real-world fans and supporters. With your $25 online registration, you will be invited to choose an avatar runner. By selecting your favourite avatar, you are enhancing the possibility that your avatar will win. All participants who select the winning avatar will be entered into a benefit draw for a chance to become the “Ambassador for the Cause”. The will have the opportunity to learn about the cause and promote awareness as a spokesperson. In addition, they will be able to become an avatar for a cause of their choice in next year’s marathon.

Support a medical cause close to your heart and register today! Early bird registration is $20 until November 15th and $25 after.  For more information please visit www.imric-virtualmarathon.com.

Professor Shalev’s lecture dates are:

October 25, 2011 in Winnipeg

October 26, 2011 in Montreal

October 27, 2011 in Ottawa

These events are open to the public and will serve light refreshments. For more details please visit the Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University’s website at www.cfhu.org.

Currently studying at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem on her junior year abroad, Toronto native Jordana Skurka is used to learning in far-flung places. Her home college is Dalhousie University, located in the port city of Halifax on the small Canadian island province of Nova Scotia. So what’s a nice Jewish girl doing there? For trailblazing Jordana, the choice was another “step towards independence.”

Just the FAQS
Name: Jordana Skurka, 19
Place of birth: Toronto, Canada
University: Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia
Current living situation: Dorm in Jerusalem with four other students

What’s the best food you’ve eaten in Israel yet?
A pita and hummus at the shuk, which is in Mahane Yehuda in Jerusalem.

What food do you miss from home?
Sushi at home is much better than it is in Israel

If you had to write a one-sentence advertisement for your school, what would it be?
It is a diverse community located on the ocean on the east coast of Canada with a liberal student body.

Who should have a movie made about him/her, living or dead?
Barack Obama

What course has most influenced you at university so far?
A gender course dealing with the roles of women and men as parental figures in different cultures. We learned that the maternal instinct is not necessarily biological, but can be conditioned by culture. In some societies, the men take on the maternal role and act as a “western” mother might act.

What makes your blood flow? What makes it boil?
Flow: Engaging in something that is very interesting or participating in something that is directly impacting others.
Boil: An injustice/unfairness/wrong which I feel powerless to change… The state of the world can be overwhelming; what can only one person do to affect it?

What is your earliest memory relating to Judaism? What is your relationship to it today?
Camp Ramah in Canada. My strongest associations come from there because it was fun and I was there as a child. I met a form of Judaism I hadn’t received at home… a spiritual Judaism rather than rules and regulations.
Today I identify as Jewish and feel connected to Israel, and I’m especially secure with my Judaism here in Israel. But I’m unsure religiously where I stand and am in the process of discovering that. I hope to find clarity here in Israel.

What to you think will be the prevailing concern in Israel in five years? Ten? Twenty?
Tensions between Palestinians and Jews are so deeply entrenched they cannot be overcome in the near future. I hope for incremental changes, but do not see huge changes. Perhaps more on the individual level, but generally there will be separation between Jews and Palestinians living in Israel. I would like the situation to change, but don’t know if that’s realistic.

What is the most pivotal decision you’ve made in your life so far?
Coming to Israel because my school is very secular, my friends are non-Jewish. I am exploring a different part of myself here in Israel, focusing in on the part of myself that is connected to Judaism.

What do you expect to take away from your time here?
I hope to be enriched as a person, with knowledge, new connections and a greater sense of self and independence.

UCLA student Rachel Menitoff took part in a JewliciousU Journalism 101 Workshop at the Rothberg School of Overseas Studies at the Hebrew University where she is doing her junior year abroad. Read more about Rothberg here.