Dear friends,

Welcome to the 70th annual Board of Trustees. We gather at a time of continued turmoil and uncertainty, which makes your presence here especially meaningful. We are deeply grateful to each of you for joining us for what promises to be an especially significant week, as we commence the celebration of Bar-Ilan's 70th anniversary.

In gematria, the number 70 corresponds to the Hebrew letter Ayin, which means "eye"—a symbol of vision. How fitting, then, as we look ahead toward a future marked by unprecedented growth and a renewed focus on making a positive impact on our community, our society and the world.

Throughout this week, you’ll see firsthand how Bar-Ilan keeps its eye on the future: from having the fastest-growing student body in Israel to pioneering multidisciplinary collaborations, launching new centers of research and education, and bringing innovative ideas to life. In fields such as nanotechnology, health-tech, sustainability and resilience we are forging a path toward discovery and real-world impact—guided by the values that have shaped Bar-Ilan from its very beginning.

And yet, even as we move forward, we never lose sight of where we came from, or those who helped us on the way.

Thank you for being part of this journey, and I look forward to celebrating 70 years of partnership, dedication and shared success.

Prof. Arie Zaban President