Program 

GENESIS

Origins of the Universe and Humankind

This year, participants in the Board of Governors meetings will have an opportunity to experience the breadth of The Hebrew University including a myriad of topics and disciplines ranging from Jewish studies to astrophysics, archeology to medicine, art history to anthropology – as together we explore the origins of the universe and mankind.  Where did we come from – and where are we going? 

Thursday, June 3, 2010

10:00 am-12:00 noon
Maiersdorf Faculty Club, Mt. Scopus

Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Magid Institute
(members only)

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 9:30 am

12:00 noon; 2:00 pm; 4:00 pm
Buses leave Jerusalem for the Dead Sea for the NABUCCO AT MASSADA concert; transfer to hotel

4:00-4:45 pm
Le Meridien Hotel, Dead Sea

‘Jerusalem by the Waters of Babylon: First Encounters Between Babylon, Judah, and Judeans’
Lecture presented by Prof. Wayne Horowitz

5:00-5:45 pm
Le Meridien Hotel, Dead Sea

‘The Creation of the Opera Nabucco’
Lecture presented by Ms. Tehila Mishor

6:00-7:15 pm
Dinner in the Grand Ballroom of Le Meridien Hotel

7:30 pm
Buses depart hotel for Massada to attend the NABUCCO concert which begins at 9:00 pm.

Please note that private vehicles will NOT be admitted to the concert site.

9:00 pm
NABUCCO AT MASSADA

12:00 midnight
Buses will return participants to the hotel at the end of the concert (around midnight). Anticipated arrival at hotel is 1:30 am. 

Friday, June 4, 2010

At the Dead Sea:

7:00-10:30 am
Le Meridien Hotel, Dead Sea

Breakfast is available

Check out by 11:00 am

Buses will leave Le Meridien Hotel for Jerusalem at 9:00 am, 11:00 am & 1:00 pm

Participants can also avail themselves of one of two options:

Guided geological tour
‘The Wisest Place on Earth: the Dead Sea as a Recorder of Mankind’s Environment’ with
Prof. Amotz Agnon and Prof. Yehouda Enzel.
Visit the lowest point on Earth on dry land.

Bus will depart hotel at 11:00 am and will continue directly to Jerusalem after the tour, arriving at 3:00 pm

Special Dead Sea spa treatment package (available via the Le Meridien hotel spa*)
*Please make your bookings in advance by phone: +972-8-6591200 or +972-8-6591202.

At Mount Scopus:

11:30 am-1:30 pm
Maiersdorf Faculty Club, Mt. Scopus

Ceremony awarding the Ellis and Alma Birk Prizes

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 11:00 am

8:00 pm
David Citadel Hotel

Traditional Shabbat dinner for overseas participants with faculty and students

This event was made possible thanks to the generosity of Nilly Sikorsky, Chair of the European Friends

9:30 pm
David Citadel Hotel

The Israeli-Palestinian Conflflict – Are We Going Anywhere? Where Can We Go?
Lecture presented by Efraim Halevy

Saturday, June 5, 2010

11:00 am-1:00 pm
The David Citadel Hotel

Study groups

• In the Beginning…Perspectives on Science and Faith (English)
   With Prof. Moshe Halbertal
• Israeli-Turkish Relations (English)
   With Dr. Anat Lapidot-Firilla and Dr. Alon Liel
• El Reloj Biológico (Spanish)
   With Dr. Sebastián Kadener
• La Monnaie est-elle encore une arme anti-crise? (French)
   With Prof. Georges Pariente

2:30-5:30 pm
Guided walking tours of Jerusalem

• Hidden and Concealed – King David Street and environs (Easy walking tour)
• Twelve Measures of Beauty – The most beautiful houses in Talbiyeh
   (Medium-level walking tour)
• The Secrets of Baka – (For strong walkers)

All tours leave from the David Citadel Hotel

8:30 - 11:00 pm
Maiersdorf Faculty Club, Mt. Scopus

Opening Reception in honor of the 73rd meeting of the Board of Governors

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 8:00 pm

Sunday June 6, 2009

8:00-9:00 am
Maiersdorf Faculty Club, Mt. Scopus

Endowment Funds Committee
(members only)

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 7:30 am

9:00 am-12:30 pm
Ezequiel Liwerant–Fomento Mexico Hall, Mt. Scopus

Genesis: Origins of the Universe and Humankind
The Big Bang and the Birth of the Universe

Panel Discussion:

• Prof. Avishai Dekel – The Big Bang
• Prof. Re’em Sari – The Birth of the Solar System and the Earth
• Prof. Yair Zakovitch – From Creation to History
• Prof. Rachel Elior – Mystical Perspectives on Creation

Moderator: Roberto Nul, President of the Argentinean Friends of the Hebrew University
of Jerusalem

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 8:30 am

9:15-10:45 am
Maiersdorf Faculty Club, Mt. Scopus

Budget and Finance Committee
(members only)

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 8:30 am

11:00 am-12:00 noon
Maiersdorf Faculty Club, Mt. Scopus

Nominations Committee
(members only)

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 10:30 am

12:00-1:00 pm
Maiersdorf Faculty Club, room 503, Mt. Scopus

Dedication of the Kahzzam Goren Scholarship Fund

1:00-2:30 pm
Maiersdorf Faculty Club, Mt. Scopus

Rector’s luncheon in honor of Honorary Doctorate recipients with Guest of Honor Prof.
Stanley Fischer, Governor of the Bank of Israel

This event has been generously sponsored by Betty Feffer

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 12:15 pm

2:45-4:30 pm
Ezequiel Liwerant–Fomento Mexico Hall, Mt. Scopus

Presentations by Honorary Doctorate recipients

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 2:00 pm

5:30-7:15 pm
Rothberg Amphitheatre, Mt. Scopus

Convocation
Opening Session of the 73rd Meeting of the Board of Governors the conferment of the degrees of Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Law and the conferment of the degree of Doctor Philosophiae Honoris Causa on

Dr. Marcos Aguinis, Argentina
Supreme Court President Justice Dorit Beinisch, Israel
Prof. Peter Brown, Ireland
Prof. Peter A. Diamond, USA
Prof. Donald Lynden-Bell, UK
Ronit Matalon, Israel
Prof. Walter Mischel, USA
Ira Lee Sorkin, USA
Prof. Peter Sarnak, USA
Evgeny Kissin, Europe

and the awarding of the Solomon Bublick Prize to Avi Naor, Israel
the Samuel Rothberg Prize to Dr. Nigist Mengesha,
Israel

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 4:00 pm

7:30-8:30 pm
Stanley Langdorf Plaza, Mt. Scopus

Reception with doctoral recipients and their families

Monday June 7, 2010

8:30-9:30 am
The Nancy S. and Lawrence E. Glick Observation Plaza, Mt. Scopus

Dedication of inscriptions on the Wall of Benefactors

Joyce & Saul* Brandman, California
Richard & Rhoda Goldman Foundation, California
The Morris Justein Family, Canada
Dr. Emanuel Rubin, Pennsylvania
Ellen M. & Ira Lee Sorkin in honor of their children Roger and Peter and grandchildren Alina and Isabel, New York

*Z”L

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 8:00 am
(From 8:00-8:30 am a brief panoramic tour of the area will be offered by Dr. Asaf Zeltzer)

9:45-11:00 am
Maiersdorf Faculty Club, Mt. Scopus

Genesis: Origins of the Universe and Humankind

Concurrent lectures

• Prof. Eliezer Rabinovici – First Results From the Large Hadron Collider:
   Expectations and Doubts
   Maiersdorf Faculty Club room 501

• Dr. Guy Tal – The Singularity of Michaelangelo’s Genesis Cycle in the Sistine Chapel
   Maiersdorf Faculty Club room 502

• Dr. Jonathan Garb – Reincarnation, Cosmic Cycles and Evolution in the Kabbalah
   Maiersdorf Faculty Club room 503

• Genesis: Three Theological Approaches – Sponsored by Aldegonde and Hubert
   Brenninkmeijer-Werhahn and Martin Brenninkmeijer

Celebrating 10 years since the dedication of the Center for the Study of Christianity in
March 2000, just before John Paul II’s historical visit to Israel

Moderator: Dr. David Satran
With Prof. George V. Coyne, SJ President of the Vatican Observatory Foundation, Prof. Sara Sviri and Dr. Michael Segal

Maiersdorf Faculty Club room 405

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 9:15 am

9:45-11:00 am
Scopus Student Village

Inauguration of the Argentinean Building

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 9:15 am

11:15 am-1:15 pm
Litwinsky Senate Hall, Mt. Scopus

First Plenary Session

• Committee Reports
• President’s & Rector’s Reports
• Election of Vice-Presidents
   • Introductory Remarks – Vice-President Billy Shapira
   • Introductory Remarks – Vice-President Prof. Isaiah (Shy) Arkin
• Disciplinary and Interdisciplinary Reality and Visions: A Discussion.
The Hebrew University encourages interdisciplinary research while at the same time expectations have increased that its researchers will be leaders in their core fields.  Do these two directions lead to a conflict that will hurt teaching and research?  Are these expectations too high?  What is the lesson to be learned from our experience to date with disciplinary and interdisciplinary academic activity?

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 10:45 am

1:30-2:45 pm
Maiersdorf Faculty Club, Mt. Scopus

Farewell Luncheon in honor of Amb. William Brown, Oded Eliashar, Brent Isaacs and Eliyahu Honig

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 1:00 pm

3:00-4:30 pm
Handler Auditorium, Truman Institute, Davis Building, Mt. Scopus

Ceremony conferring Honorary Fellowships

Joyce Brandman, USA
Maurice Cohen, Australia/Israel
Alexandre Davidoff, Switzerland
Eliezer Fishman, Israel
Alan P. Fiske, USA
Susie R. Gelman, USA
Leon Kempler OAM, Australia
León Schimmel, Uruguay
Dr. Philip Switzer, Canada

Guest Speaker:
Prof. Haim D. Rabinowitch – News of the Future: Agriculture in the Year 2050

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 2:45 pm

7:30 pm
A Spectacular Light and Sound Celebration at the David Citadel Museum along the
Walls of Jerusalem’s Old City

A Gala Evening in the presence of the Mayor of Jerusalem Nir Barkat
Welcoming remarks by Nir Barkat and Campaign Chair Barbara Mandel

The event includes a festive reception

This event was made possible thanks to the generosity of Barbara Mandel, Chair of the Campaign Cabinet and Michael Federmann, Chair of the Board of Governors

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 7:00 pm
(Warm clothing recommended!)

Tuesday June 8, 2010 

9:45-11:15 am
Maiersdorf Faculty Club, Mt. Scopus

Genesis: Origins of the Universe and Humankind

Concurrent lectures

• Prof. Ruth HaCohen – The Music of Genesis and the Genetic Code of Music
   Maiersdorf Faculty Club room 502

• Prof. Yoram Bilu – How Are Holy Places Created? Some Contemporary Examples
   Maiersdorf Faculty Club room 501

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 9:15 am

11:30-1:30 pm
Litwinsky Senate Hall, Mt. Scopus

Second Plenary Session

Campaign Cabinet Report by Barbara Mandel, Chair and Carmi Gillon, Vice-President for  External Relations

Nominations Committee Report by Danny Rothschild, Chair

Hebrew University & the Israel Debate on Campuses: What role, if any, can & should the Hebrew University play in Israel’s quest for a fair and balanced perception on campuses abroad?

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 11:00 am

1:30-2:15 pm
Maiersdorf Faculty Club, Mt. Scopus

Lunch

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 1:00 pm

1:30-4:00 pm
Bronfman Reception Center, Sherman Administration Building, Mt. Scopus

Campaign Cabinet
(members only, lunch included)

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 1:00 pm

2:30-4:30 pm
Ezequiel Liwerant–Fomento Mexico Hall, Mt. Scopus

Genesis: Origins of the Universe and Humankind  
Panel Discussion:Where Do We Come From and Where Are We Going?

Prof. Joe Gale – The Cosmic Origin of Life
Prof. Chaim Cedar – The Programming of Life
Prof. Naama Goren-Inbar – Exodus From Africa: Hominids and Their Culture in the Levant
Dr. Nili Wazana – Forever Outsiders: The Origins of Israel According to the Bible

Moderator: Robert Simons OAM, President of the Australian Friends of HU

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 2:00 pm

5:00-6:00 pm
Morasha Hall, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Ein Kerem Campus

Dedication of the Brandman Foundation Chair in Cardiac and Pulmonary Diseases (USA)

Dedication of the Dr. Emanuel Rubin Chair in Medical Science (USA)

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 4:30 pm

6:00-6:30 pm
Rubin Auditorium, Forchheimer Building, Faculty of Medicine, Ein Kerem Campus

Dedication of the Morris Justein Family Research Tower (Canada)

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 5:30 pm

8:00 pm
Friends’ Associations events

Wednesday June 9, 2010

9:00-11:15 am
Wise Auditorium, Edmond J. Safra Campus

Third Plenary Session

Scientific Achievements
The Awarding of Kaye Innovation Awards
Barenholz Prizes for Applied Research
Polonsky Prizes in the Humanistic Disciplines
Klachky Prize for the Advancement of the
Frontiers of Science

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 8:30 am

11:30 am-12:30 pm
Avraham Harman Science Library, Edmond J. Safra Campus

Dedication of the Berel and Agnes Ginges – Australia Library Information Centre for the Sciences

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 11:00 am

12:45-1:45 pm
Belgium House, Edmond J. Safra Campus

Lunch in honor of Agnes and Berel Ginges

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 12:15 pm

2:00-4:00 pm
Belgium House library, Edmond J. Safra Campus

Meeting of the International Board of Overseers of the Rothberg International School
(members only)

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 1:30 pm

2:00-4:30 pm
Wise Auditorium, Edmond J. Safra Campus

Genesis: Origins of the Universe and Humankind
Panel Discussion: For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return’ (Genesis 3:19b)

Prof. Tsvi Piran – The Life and Death of Stars - Stardust Memories
Prof. Ronnie Ellenblum – Climate Change and Collapse
Prof. Nir Shaviv – Anthropogenic Global Warming – Really?
Prof. Bianca Kuehnel – The End of Days and After-Images of Art and Science

Moderator: Dr. Phil Switzer, Canadian Friends of HU

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 1:30 pm

7:30 pm-12:00 midnight
Scopus Student Village

Celebrate with old friends and new from around the world at our Israeli-style
FAREWELL PARTY with our students!

Transportation from the Inbal, King David and David Citadel hotels at 7:00 pm