BGU & YOU | NOVEMBER 2023

From Prof. Daniel Chamovitz , President

Dear friends, Over the initial three weeks following the devastating events of October 7, I communicated with you daily, delineating not just the events that unfolded, but the emotional landscape of our university and broader community. As we attended funerals and shivas, I relayed stories of both unimaginable loss and heroic resilience – accounts that speak to the very core of who we are. Our institution, closely woven into the fabric of Israeli society, was deeply affected. Even today, we are particularly concerned about our student Noa Argamani who remains a hostage in Gaza, and we worry about our sons and daughters defending Israel on its borders. These weeks have been marked by catastrophic loss, but even amid the desolation, glimmers of hope persist. The indomitable spirit of Ben-Gurion University and indeed, of Israel herself, has not dimmed. While we have sustained wounds that will reverberate for years to come, our essence, though shook, remains unbroken.

simultaneously robust yet shattered. This sentiment, I surmise, is felt not only here but also among our supporters worldwide. Your outpouring of letters and unsolicited offers of assistance fortifies my own resolve. Though the frequency of these missives has lessened, this moment – one month into this ongoing war – offers a reflective opportunity. Enclosed, you will find an anthology of testimonies, commentary, and captured moments of our staff and students who are volunteering, serving in the reserves, and caring for their community. An anthology of BGU at war. I assure you that we will continue to maintain open channels of communication. We will continue to document not just our struggles but also our strategies for the future. Ben Gurion University will soon transition from crisis response to its historical mandate – a mandate that has guided us for over half a century – of serving as the catalyst for growth and development in the Negev.

I extend my deepest gratitude for your continued words of encouragement and tangible support. Your solidarity is not merely a source of comfort; it is a pillar of our strength. Know this: neither Israel nor Ben-Gurion University stand alone in this tumultuous period. Together, we shall overcome; together, we shall rebuild. Danny

I wrote about a-integration, the emotional paradox of feeling

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STRONG AND UNITED WE WILL PREVAIL