American Friends of Yitzhak Rabin Partner with Hebrew University to Establish Yitzhak Rabin Fellowship in Graduate Democracy Studies
First-of-its-kind fellowship will help create a new generation of
statesmen in the image of Yitzhak Rabin
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–American
Friends of Yitzhak Rabin (AFYR) today officially announced a
partnership with The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the leading
university in Israel, to establish the Yitzhak Rabin Fellowship in
Graduate Democracy Studies in the Department of Political Science.
Supported by proceeds raised from an
Oct. 13 gala in Boston, which recognized Boston Mayor, Martin J. Walsh,
along with other fundraising activities in 2015, the fellowship will be
dedicated early next year.
“As we approach the 20th anniversary of Yitzhak Rabin’s
assassination, we are pleased to announce that we will be supporting new
initiatives that reflect the late prime minister’s legacy,” explained
Stuart Davidson, AFYR Chairman. “Rabin allocated unprecedented resources
to education and believed strongly in a democratic Israel. The Yitzhak
Rabin Fellowship in Graduate Democracy Studies at Hebrew University is
the perfect way of supporting a living legacy to Rabin. We believe the
program will go far in helping to advance democracy and shape future
leadership in Israel.”
Over the past decade, AFYR has donated more than $17M to complete
construction of the Yitzhak Rabin Center and its Israeli Museum in Tel
Aviv. With the Rabin Center built and flourishing, AFYR is pleased to
advance the legacy of Yitzhak Rabin by supporting this first-ever
Fellowship at Israel’s preeminent institution of higher learning and
research.
“It has been nearly 20 years since Rabin was assassinated. His legacy
can only continue to thrive if we educate Israel’s youth on democracy,”
said Professor Reuven Hazan, chair of the Political Science Department
at The Hebrew University. “Rabin’s impact on Israel, particularly on the
democratic foundation of our country is indisputable. We are proud to
offer a fellowship in graduate democracy studies to our students in his
name and look forward to dedicating the Rabin fellowship in early 2016.”
Considered the “Harvard of the Middle East,” Hebrew University is ranked
among the top universities in the world. During the 2012-2013 academic
year, the University launched the “Advanced Graduate Studies Program
(AGSP)” to provide a curriculum for a select group of students accepted
to the Political Science Department with the goal of nurturing critical
thinking and encouraging analytical academic scholarship. Endowed
fellowships are critical to the program’s success and this fellowship
will help to educate them about the values of Rabin’s legacy.
“My father valued education above all else and considered it to have a
key role for the future of Israel in shaping and maintaining a
democratic state,” explained Yuval Rabin, son of the late Prime
Minister, Yitzhak Rabin. “Twenty years after his assassination, my hope
is that his legacy will continue to influence future generations of
leaders.”
For information on American Friends of Yitzhak Rabin, please visit www.friendsofrabin.org
or follow us on Facebook (facebook.com/AmericanFriendsofRabin) and
Twitter (@FriendsofRabin).
About American Friends of Yitzhak Rabin
This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the assassination of
Yitzhak Rabin, the late Prime Minister of Israel. Previously known as
The American Friends of the Yitzhak Rabin Center, The American Friends
of Yitzhak Rabin is a registered 501/c/3 non-profit organization
headquartered in New York City. AFYR provides support to educational
programs on Rabin’s legacy and labor-related initiatives.
About The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s leading academic and
research institution, serving as an engine of growth for the nation and
a research engine for the world. A faculty of 1,100 educates 23,000
students from 84 countries. The University produces a third of Israel’s
civilian research and is ranked 12th worldwide in biotechnology patent
filings and commercial development. Faculty and alumni of The Hebrew
University have won eight Nobel Prizes and a Fields Medal since 2002.
The Hebrew University has 238 academic agreements with academic and
research institutions in 43 countries and 78 competitive research grants
from the European Research Council (ERC) since 2007, totaling over $141
million. The University, which has seven faculties devoted to all
aspects of science, social science and the humanities, is recognized
worldwide for special expertise in nanoscience, pharmaceutical
development, physics, chemistry, computer science and agribusiness. For
more about The Hebrew University, please visit http://new.huji.ac.il/en.
Contacts
For American Friends of Yitzhak Rabin
Jeanne Hoffa, 949-233-5372
Jeanne@coastprgroup.com
