New York, February 22, 2007 – The Robert H. Smith Family Foundation has pledged a $15 million challenge grant to transform The Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences in Rehovot, Israel. The gift will be the cornerstone of the university’s and American Friends of Hebrew University’s “Feeding the Future through Sustainable Agriculture” campaign, a $51 million reorganization and expansion plan that will broaden and accelerate Hebrew University’s cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in plant and animal sciences, biochemistry, nutrition and environmental studies.  New buildings, state-of-the-art laboratories and greenhouses will foster collaborations between four academic Institutes addressing major challenges, among these: hunger and malnutrition, natural resource scarcity and the impact of global warming.  

In recognition of the Smith Family Foundation’s generosity, the Faculty will be renamed “The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences.”  In response to this substantive challenge grant, American Friends of The Hebrew University (AFHU) is launching a $15 million fundraising campaign, seeking support from other American philanthropists and foundations committed to meeting global challenges and advancing pioneering research and new technologies emerging from Israel.

 “Thanks to the incredible friendship, vision, and generosity of Bob Smith and the entire Smith Family, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem will be able to expand its globally important work,” said George Schieren, president of the American Friends of the Hebrew University. “As long-time friends of Hebrew University, the Smith family has been a leader in fostering progress in sustainable agriculture.  Through this new challenge grant, Hebrew University will establish two research institutes—one dedicated to environmental sciences and natural resources, the other a new complex for animal sciences and the Koret School of Veterinary medicine. Four virtual research centers will encourage innovative solutions to problems facing developing nations and industrialized countries alike.”

The Hebrew University’s Faculty of Agriculture, which includes the Robert H. Smith Institute of Plant Sciences, is the first and only academic and research facility of its kind in the Middle East and a leader in sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. Since its establishment in 1942, the Faculty has spurred Israel’s agricultural development and economic strength in agri-business and biotechnology. Innovations include drip irrigation techniques adopted worldwide, plant-derived treatments for malaria, aquaculture and genetically enhanced produce and flowers.

Robert H. Smith of Washington, DC, a visionary philanthropist, is an exceptionally successful real estate developer who spearheaded the creation of Crystal City, Virginia, among other noted real estate projects. Mr. Smith and his family have been involved with Hebrew University and AFHU for decades. A former chairman and current honorary chairman of Hebrew University’s International Board of Governors, he also served as president of the Washington DC chapter of AFHU.

 “The Hebrew University’s Faculty of Agriculture has already played a pivotal role in the development of technologies and techniques benefiting Israel and the entire region,” said Peter Willner, AFHU’s national executive director “Students from 155 countries, including developing nations, have studied at the Rehovot campus, going on to make a difference in their home countries. Thanks to the Robert H. Smith Family Foundation, this type of interdisciplinary innovation, expert teaching and outreach will not only continue, but will expand in dynamic new ways.”

About The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, located on three campuses in Jerusalem and a fourth in Rehovot, is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions. More than 24,000 students from over 70 countries choose Hebrew University for its seven academic Faculties in the Humanities, Sciences, Social Sciences, Agriculture and Medicine, and to take advantage of  extensive opportunities to participate in groundbreaking scientific and technological research.  Faculty and alumni of The Hebrew University have won six Nobel Prizes in the past five years. 

In 2007, The Hebrew University’s Institute for Advanced Studies was accepted into a consortium of ten of the world's leading academic institutions.  The University has consistently been ranked among the top 100 academic and research institutions worldwide in independent surveys, including Newsweek magazine. Forty percent of Israel’s civilian research emerges from Hebrew University, which is ranked 12th in biotechnology patent filings and commercial development by the Milken Institute of Los Angeles.

The American Friends of The Hebrew University

American Friends of The Hebrew University (AFHU) is a national, not-for-profit organization based in the United States, with regional offices and headquarters in New York. AFHU, working in close partnership with The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, provides programs, events and conducts fund raising activities in support of The Hebrew University’s internationally recognized community of leading scholars and scientists, and the wellspring of Israel’s future leadership.   Forging a meaningful partnership between American Jewry and the people of Israel, AFHU helps to ensure the nation’s well being by nurturing Israel’s greatest asset: the intellectual strength of its people.