Mandel Foundation Donates $26 Million to Rebuild Weizmann Institute After Iranian Strike

The Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Foundation has pledged $26 million to the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, aiding the restoration of laboratories and facilities severely damaged in Iran’s June missile strike. The attack forced dozens of labs offline, disrupting vital projects across multiple fields of research.

The funding, drawn from the foundation’s Mandel MSF fund, will support rebuilding research spaces, purchasing essential instruments, and restarting critical projects described as central to Israel and global science. Officials estimate the total cost of damage in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

“The Mandel Foundation acts out of a Zionist commitment to support leading institutions of the Jewish people and the State of Israel,” said Prof. Jehuda Reinharz, president of the foundation. “The destruction at Weizmann is a blow to science on a global scale. Our longstanding partnership compels us to stand with its researchers so they can continue their vital work for humanity.”

Prof. Alon Chen, president of the Weizmann Institute, expressed gratitude for the support. “This generous contribution will help us rebuild damaged facilities, strengthen our research infrastructure, and ensure Israel remains at the forefront of global science.”

The foundation has a long track record of investment in Israel, contributing roughly NIS 3 billion to date. Over the past year, it allocated NIS 210 million to emergency initiatives, including NIS 55 million for new housing in Gaza-envelope communities, NIS 100 million for agricultural renewal in the South, and extensive support for small businesses, reservist students, trauma recovery, and educational programs. It also committed NIS 55 million to renew Jerusalem’s Gazelle Valley urban nature site.

Founded in 1934, the Weizmann Institute is one of Israel’s most prestigious scientific research centers, known worldwide for advances in physics, chemistry, life sciences, and computer science. The June 15, 2025 missile strike caused catastrophic physical damage but no casualties, leaving years of research work destroyed.

With this latest gift, the Mandel Foundation is ensuring that Israel’s scientific community can recover quickly and continue its mission of discovery and innovation. The donation reinforces Israel’s resilience and the central role of the Weizmann Institute in advancing global knowledge.

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