BGU & YOU | Spring 2025

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CA

NOV 2024 Montreal Visit for Prof. Michal Bar-Asher Siegal The Montreal Chapter hosted Prof. Michal Bar-Asher Siegal, BGU Vice President for Global Engagement, at a reception with Paul Hirschson, Consul General of Israel.

DEC 2024 Ben-Gurion Day in the USA, A Virtual Event A4BGU’s observance of Ben Gurion Day continues to grow as a national engagement opportunity. This year’s webinar, held December 8, featured a prerecorded presentation by Dr. Adi Portughies (Ben-Gurion Archive) and a live Q&A with Prof. Paula Kabalo (Ben-Gurion Institute for the Study of Israel and Zionism) L-R: Andrea Freedman, Paul Hirschson, Peggi Cohen Rabinovitch, Jack Altman, Prof. Michal Bar-Asher Siegal and Simon Bensimon. Photo: Howard Kay BGU uk US

and CEO Doug Seserman. Held in partnership with the Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute, the program honored David Ben-Gurion’s legacy, connecting archival material to Israel’s current challenges. A companion educational toolkit was shared with over 120 synagogues and schools nationwide. More than 1,200 people registered, and the webinar continues to draw views on A4BGU’s YouTube channel.

US

DEC 2024

Zin VII Gathering 2 The Zin VII cohort gathered in Scottsdale for a three-day educational and bonding experience in the Sonoran Desert — their second in-person session of the Zin Fellows Leadership Program. Professors Chaim Hames and Raz Jelinek led an in-depth exploration of BGU’s mission, structure, and research strengths. A highlight was a visit to Arizona State University, focusing on global academic collaborations and the Fifth Wave university model. With over 100 alumni in 20 states and 23 cities, Zin graduates continue to serve in key A4BGU leadership roles nationwide.

Students at A4BGU Community Partner Congregation Habonim celebrate Ben-Gurion Day