Tel Aviv University Receives $125 Million Donation from Blackstone President

In a monumental act of philanthropy, Jonathan Gray, president of the global investment firm Blackstone, and his wife, Mindy, have donated $125 million to Tel Aviv University’s School of Medicine the largest gift in the university’s history and one of the most significant ever made to any Israeli institution of higher education.

The unprecedented contribution will fund the expansion of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, which will now be renamed the Gray Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences in honor of the donors. The funds will support scholarships, cutting-edge research facilities, and the construction of dormitories for 600 students, with a mission to both strengthen Israel’s health system and ensure the inclusion of students from all sectors of society.

At a time when Israel is facing a serious shortage of physicians, the Gray family’s donation arrives as a powerful national investment. With the current ratio of doctors per capita trailing the OECD average by 10%, the expansion will boost the faculty’s capacity to train over 400 new doctors each year double that of other leading medical schools in the country.

“This donation will expand Tel Aviv University's ability to train a new generation of healthcare professionals, including students from marginalized communities, and build advanced research facilities,” the Grays said. “We see no better way to contribute to the healing process than by supporting an institution that touches the lives of so many.”

The gift will also expand training programs in nursing, physiotherapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy essential fields that are often overlooked in national funding initiatives. Scholarships and subsidized housing will help recruit students from minority communities including Arabs, Haredim, and Ethiopian Israelis, further strengthening the social fabric of Israel’s medical workforce.

Tel Aviv University President Prof. Ariel Porat called the donation a “vote of confidence in the future of the State of Israel,” noting that the investment would amplify research collaborations with 18 hospitals and bolster Israel’s biomedical innovation.

The timing of the donation is particularly meaningful. Following the horrors of October 7 and amid an ongoing war, the Gray family’s support sends a powerful message of hope and resilience. Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Keren Avraham, remarked, “At a time when Israel is facing so many wounded, this donation will significantly increase our capacity to support the national effort and enhance Israel’s medical system.”

The donation also represents a symbolic renewal. In 2023, the university removed the Sackler name from its medical faculty due to the family’s role in the opioid crisis. The Gray family’s generous act marks a new chapter of healing, excellence, and inclusivity.

As Israel strengthens its health and education systems for future generations, this landmark donation stands as a testament to the enduring bond between the Jewish people and their supporters around the world.

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