Dear friends,

Welcome to Bar-Ilan University’s annual Board of Trustees Assembly as we mark our 70th anniversary. It is a particular pleasure to welcome you to campus as we celebrate seven decades of growth and impact and look ahead to the opportunities of the years to come.

We had originally planned to mark this anniversary together in May. The war changed those plans, as it has changed so much around us. We gather today in different circumstances, but the significance of this milestone remains – and perhaps carries even greater meaning. After a year that has tested us in so many ways, coming together to mark Bar-Ilan’s 70th anniversary is itself an expression of continuity, resilience and confidence in the future.

Anniversaries invite us to look back, but they also remind us that the future is shaped by the choices we make and the responsibilities we are prepared to assume. One of those responsibilities is to ensure that difference does not become division: to engage other perspectives with respect, intellectual honesty and a continued commitment to what we share.

That spirit is deeply rooted at Bar-Ilan. Some of our most original research and important scientific breakthroughs emerge when researchers cross traditional boundaries, bringing distinct methods and ideas together. This collaborative culture strengthens our science, inspires creative solutions to complex challenges and expands the impact we can make.

We see that same spirit reflected in the remarkable individuals we will honor this year. They come from very different fields and backgrounds, yet each has pursued excellence with purpose and a determination to contribute beyond themselves – qualities that speak strongly to the values of Bar-Ilan.

As we celebrate 70 years, we take pride in what has been built, and in the many different people, ideas and perspectives that continue to shape what comes next.

Thank you for being part of this journey and for celebrating this milestone with us.

Prof. Arie Zaban
President