BGU & YOU | NOVEMBER 2023

From Jeff Kaye , Vice President for Public Affairs and Resource Development

The BGU family was hard hit by the events of October 7th, but rose up to meet the challenge. The following pages will touch on some of our stories but we focus on bringing you news of the BGU community’s resilience – what people are doing here and abroad to ensure that we emerge at the end of it all stronger than ever.

Dear members of the global BGU family, I am writing these words during very difficult days to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for the extraordinary support you've shown to Ben Gurion University of the Negev since the horrific attack by Hamas terrorists that occurred on October 7. Your unwavering encouragement and mobilization have been instrumental in our journey to healing and resilience, during times that are also not easy for members of the Jewish community individuals like you has been a beacon of hope for our BGU community and, in particular for the families who have tragically lost loved ones at the hands of cruel terrorists. I personally delivered many of your letters, filled with heartfelt messages of solidarity, and even in these darkest days, I saw how they provided immeasurable comfort and strength, giving the bereaved families a powerful sense of not being alone in their grief and struggle for recovery. I know that you join our prayer that every hostage will return without delay to the families that love them so much. and Israel supporters overseas. The outpouring of support from

It is in times of darkness, where your participation in an emergency zoom briefing, your messages of solidarity and your generosity to assist those who have paid the ultimate price, remind us of the profound bonds that connect us across the globe. As we navigate the challenges that follow the attack on Israel, and the war forced upon us to eradicate the threat, we commit to you that we will continue our mission of providing quality education, fostering innovation, and contributing to the betterment of society. All of these tasks are now even more critical as we undertake, in the spirit of David Ben-Gurion, to rebuild the Negev, the region that has suffered so much destruction in the last few weeks. We move forward in the face of adversity with strength and hope, thanks to you, and together we will rebuild, heal, and continue our mission of making the world a better place. Warm regards, Jeff

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