Hebrew University of Jerusalem Celebrates 100 Years of Academic Excellence

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem marked its 100th anniversary this week, celebrating a century of groundbreaking research, academic excellence, and visionary leadership that helped shape the intellectual and scientific foundations of the State of Israel.

Founded in 1925 by an extraordinary group of Zionist thinkers Albert Einstein, Chaim Weizmann, Chaim Nachman Bialik, and Martin Buber among them the university was envisioned as a beacon of learning in the heart of Jerusalem. That vision became reality when, on a modest wooden stage atop Mount Scopus, leaders of the Jewish world delivered the institution’s inaugural addresses. Dr. Chaim Weizmann, who would later become Israel’s first president, stood alongside Chief Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, Lord Balfour, and British High Commissioner Sir Herbert Samuel.

Though Einstein was unable to attend, he sent a handwritten manuscript of his Theory of Relativity, now one of the university’s most treasured artifacts. “There has been no event in my life that gave me greater satisfaction than the initiative to establish the Hebrew University in Jerusalem,” he once stated.

Now ranked the top research university in Israel and among the top 100 worldwide, the Hebrew University has become synonymous with innovation. In 2024, it placed 81st globally according to the Shanghai Ranking, cementing its status as a world-class institution.

“For a hundred years, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has been home to exceptional individuals those who question, who break conventions, who innovate and redefine boundaries,” said university President Prof. Asher Cohen. “It all began with a pioneering spark in the heart of Jerusalem.”

Over the decades, the university has launched numerous scientific breakthroughs and life-changing technologies. Its tech transfer company, Yissum, has registered over 260 startups based on Hebrew University innovations. Eighteen of those have gone public, including the globally renowned Mobileye.

Professor Mona Khoury, Vice President of Strategy and Diversity, emphasized the university’s strong connection to industry: “Strengthening the connection between academia and industry is a key priority,” she noted, pointing to the university’s success in commercializing knowledge and building dynamic partnerships with entrepreneurs and investors.

As the Hebrew University steps into its second century, it remains committed to advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and preparing new generations of scholars and leaders. From its foundational role in Israel’s academic identity to its influence in global scientific advancement, the Hebrew University continues to be a cornerstone of Jewish intellectual achievement and Zionist aspiration.

Celebrate Israel’s academic legacy and future share this milestone and subscribe to our newsletter for more inspiring stories from the heart of Jerusalem.