Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI; Hebrew: הַאוּנִיבֶרְסִיטָה הַעִבְרִית בִּירוּשָׁלַיִם, romanized: HaUniversita HaIvrit b'Yerushalayim) is an Israeli public research university based in Jerusalem. It was co-founded by Albert Einstein and Chaim Weizmann in July 1918, making it the second-oldest university in Israel. This university was established 30 years before Israel became a country, and it has grown into one of the most important places for learning and discovery in the region.

The university has many parts, including five teaching hospitals such as the Hadassah Medical Center, seven main areas of study, over 100 research centers, and 315 academic departments. By 2018, it was home to one-third of all the students working toward a doctorate in Israel. The university has three campuses in Jerusalem and others in Rehovot, Rishon LeZion, and Eilat.

Some very famous people have been connected to the university. Four of Israel's prime ministers studied there, and many winners of top awards, including 15 Nobel Prize winners, two Fields Medalists, and three Turing Award winners, have been linked to the university. It has also been associated with important thinkers such as Sigmund Freud and Martin Buber.

History

A big dream of the Zionist movement was to build a Jewish university in the Land of Israel. The idea was first talked about in 1884, and again in 1897. The university’s cornerstone was placed on 24 July 1918.

The university opened on Mount Scopus in 1925, with important leaders and scholars attending. Over time, it grew into a big place for research and learning. It added new schools, including medicine and law.

During the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, the university faced challenges because of fighting nearby. For a time, it could not reach its main campus, so classes were held in many different buildings around Jerusalem. Later, a new campus was built, and after the Six-Day War in 1967, the university returned to its original home on Mount Scopus.

Sadly, in 2002, a terrible act of violence happened when a bomb was set off at the university, hurting many people. Leaders around the world spoke out against this act. The university continues to grow and learn, even starting new research areas like studying plants for medicine.

Campuses

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has four main campuses. The Mount Scopus campus, located in north-eastern Jerusalem, is the main campus and includes faculties such as Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, and Jewish Studies. It also has special programs for international students to learn Hebrew and learn about Israeli culture. The Givat Ram campus, named after Edmond Safra, houses the Faculty of Science, including the Einstein Institute of Mathematics and the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences. The Ein Kerem campus includes the Faculties of Medicine and Dental Medicine, along with a major medical center. Finally, the Rehovot campus, located in the city of Rehovot, is home to the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment and the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine. These campuses offer a wide range of programs and research opportunities.

Libraries

The Hebrew University has many libraries that help students and researchers find books and information. The main one is called the Jewish National and University Library. It is very old, started in 1892, and has lots of special books about Jewish history and culture. It also has many general books for the university. This library has over five million books and many special collections, like old maps and science items.

Besides the main library, the university has smaller libraries for different subjects, like science, medicine, and archaeology, located on different campuses. These libraries help students find books and resources that are just right for their studies.

Rankings

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is the top university in Israel. It ranks between 101st and 150th among all universities in the world. In specific subjects, it is between 201st and 300th in computer science and between 51st and 75th in business and economics.

In 2021, it was ranked 90th in the world by Shanghai Ranking and 64th by the Center for World University Rankings. The university is also very strong in mathematics, often ranking among the best in the world. For example, it was 11th in mathematics in 2017 and 25th in 2020.

Main article: Academic Ranking of World Universities
Main articles: mathematics

Friends of the University

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has many friends groups around the world in over 25 countries. In Canada, the Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem was started in 1944 by a kind person named Allan Bronfman. This group helps connect students and teachers between Canada and Israel, offers money for students to study, and supports research projects.

In the United States, the American Friends of the Hebrew University is a group that helps the university with programs and events. It was started in 1925 by Felix M. Warburg. The group also supports special studies about life in Israel.

Publications

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has published many important works through its Institute of Archaeology on Mt. Scopus. Some of these include Qedem: Monographs of the Institute of Archaeology, Qedem Reports, and the Jerusalem Journal of Archaeology. This journal is open to everyone, reviewed by experts, and covers many different areas of study.

Notable people

Further information: List of Hebrew University of Jerusalem people and List of Nobel laureates by university affiliation

Since it began in 1918, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has helped create many important leaders, thinkers, and inventors who have made a big difference in Israel and around the world. The university has educated four Israeli Prime Ministers, several Presidents, Supreme Court justices, and winners of the Israel Prize.

Some well-known people who studied or taught there include:

• 10th Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Barak (B.Sc. Physics and Mathematics, 1968)
• 11th Prime Minister of Israel Ariel Sharon (B.A. History and Middle Eastern Studies)
• 13th Prime Minister of Israel Naftali Bennett (LL.B.)
• Academy Award-winning actress Natalie Portman (B.A. Psychology, 2003)
• Nobel laureate in Economics Daniel Kahneman (faculty member and alumnus)
• Nobel laureate in Chemistry Aaron Ciechanover (MS, MD)
• Former President of the Supreme Court of Israel Aharon Barak (LL.B., LL.M. 1958; LL.D. 1963)
• Historian and bestselling author Yuval Noah Harari (B.A., History)
• Former Director of Mossad Ephraim Halevy (LL.B.)

Yissum

Yissum Research Development Company helps the Hebrew University share its discoveries with the world. Started in 1964, it helps turn research into new products and companies. Yissum has helped create over 80 new companies, including well-known ones like Mobileye and OrCam. Many leaders guide Yissum, working together to support new ideas and inventions.