A century of innovation
A century of innovation
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem was established 100 years ago on April 1, 1925, with thousands of guests, dignitaries, and academic delegations from around the world in attendance on its new Mt. Scopus campus.
Among the attendees were residents of the Land of Israel and international guests, including leaders, clergy, British military and administrative officials, as well as government representatives and academic delegations from the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, the Netherlands, Egypt, Switzerland, France, Canada, Poland, and Austria. Notable attendees included Meir Dizengoff, Judah Leib Magnes, Norman Bentwich, Nahum Sokolow, and many others.
Dr. Chaim Weizmann, who would later become Israel’s first president, addressed the audience from a simple wooden stage without a microphone, as did Chief Rabbi of Palestine Abraham Isaac Kook, Lord Balfour, British High Commissioner Sir Herbert Samuel, and poet Chaim Nachman Bialik.
Notably absent was Albert Einstein, one of the University’s founders, who was giving a series of lectures in South America on the day of the inauguration. Instead, he sent a handwritten manuscript of his Theory of Relativity to the University as a token of his appreciation for the realization of his vision. This manuscript has been preserved ever since in the Einstein Archives, located at the Edmond J. Safra Campus in Givat Ram. “There has been no event in my life that gave me greater satisfaction than the initiative to establish the Hebrew University in Jerusalem,” said Einstein in a 1921 interview with The New York Times, four years before the dedication.
100 Years of Innovation and Academic Excellence
Hebrew University established the foundation for studies in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and exact sciences. Many of Israel’s leading doctors, lawyers, economists, and mathematicians are alumni of the University. The scope of research being conducted spans nearly every aspect of life: from space exploration to deep-sea studies, from the development of cherry tomatoes to cultivated meat. Its neuroscientists lead global research efforts, while forensic science experts, psychologists, and healthcare professionals contribute significantly to their respective fields.
These graduates join hundreds of thousands of Hebrew University alumni who, for decades, have played leading roles in public service, healthcare, the judiciary, the business sector, high-tech industries, civil society, the cultural sphere, and, of course, academic research in Israel and worldwide. In 2024, the University was ranked the top research university in Israel and 81st among the world’s top 100 universities, according to the Shanghai Ranking.
As it enters its second century, the Hebrew University remains steadfast in its mission to advance knowledge, foster innovation, and educate the leaders of tomorrow. With its distinguished history and commitment to excellence, the University will continue to play a vital role in shaping Israel’s academic and scientific future and contributing to the global research community.