Purpose and Progress in the Shadow of War

(Photo Credit: TAU)

31 March 2026

Dear Governors, Friends and Alumni,

As Passover approaches, we mark a holiday of freedom and renewal at a time of ongoing hardship. Across Israel, daily life continues under the shadow of war, affecting our homes, our campuses, and our communities.

At Tel Aviv University, this reality is deeply personal. Thousands of our students, along with faculty and alumni, are serving in reserve duty, having stepped away from their studies and research to answer the call. Others are coping with the direct impact of the conflict. In response, we are doing everything we can to expand academic, emotional, and financial support, placing the well-being of our community at the center of our efforts.

Even now, the spirit of the university remains strong. Laboratories are active, research continues across disciplines, and new ideas are taking shape. This work is vital not only to Israel, but contributes meaningfully to humanity as a whole.

Looking ahead, we remain committed to supporting those whose lives have been changed by service, and to strengthening Israeli academia by encouraging the return of young researchers from abroad.

In light of current circumstances, we have decided to postpone our Board of Governors meeting to the last week of October. This will give us the opportunity to come together — hopefully in quieter times — to mark Tel Aviv University’s 70th anniversary with the dignity it deserves.

Passover reminds us that even in the most challenging times, renewal is possible. The resilience, solidarity, and sense of purpose shown by the TAU community give me great hope for the days ahead.

I wish you and your loved ones a meaningful and peaceful Passover.

Warmly yours,

Ariel Porat
President, Tel Aviv University

••• PURPOSE AND PROGRESS

October 7th Memorial

Tel Aviv University and the Gray Foundation have selected “Open Memory Space,” designed by architect Lihi Ein Gedi Davidovitz, as a new campus memorial honoring those who fell in the October 7 attacks and the ensuing war. Chosen from 147 proposals, the memorial will stand at the heart of campus, creating a place for reflection, remembrance, and gathering for the university community and the wider public. Read

Breast Cancer’s Path

Researchers led by Prof. Uri Ben-David and Prof. Ronit Satchi-Fainaro (Medicine) uncovered how breast cancer spreads to the brain. When a key protective gene is lost, cancer cells manipulate nearby brain cells to produce nutrients that fuel tumor growth. The team also identified a way to interrupt this process, slowing cancer’s spread in laboratory studies and patient samples and pointing toward new treatment strategies. Read

Pushing Forward, Despite War

Even in times of war, our labs keep going. We continue to research, to question, and to advance work that matters — work that contributes to humanity and pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. This is resilience. This is who we are. Here’s a glimpse into just a few of the many researchers moving forward, no matter the circumstances. View

Reviving The Dybbuk

A project led by Dr. Ruthie Abeliovich (Theater Arts) is reviving forgotten Yiddish theater, beginning with a new Hebrew adaptation of The Dybbuk staged by TAU students. Supported by the European Research Council, the initiative restores neglected plays, digitizes historical scripts, and brings once-beloved works back to the stage for modern audiences. Read

Electronics of the Future

A team led by Prof. Moshe Ben Shalom (Physics) developed a nanometer-scale graphene switch that can change its structure using almost no energy. By doing so, the researchers demonstrated a new way to control electronics, opening the door to faster, smaller, and far more energy-efficient devices. Read

OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Global Honor: Prof. Yossi Shiloh became the first TAU scientist elected a Fellow of the American Association for Cancer Research Academy. He was recognized for pioneering discoveries on how cells protect DNA and what happens when that protection fails, advancing research on cancer, aging, and disease prevention. Read

Rappaport Prize Wins: TAU researchers captured four of six honors in the 2026 Rappaport Prize for Biomedical Research. Winners include Prof. Dan Peer for advances in RNA-based therapies and Prof. Lihi Adler-Abramovich for nature-inspired medical materials. PhD awards went to Ron Sheinin and Nitzan Aframian, for recognizing innovative research on cellular responses and the body’s immune defenses. Read

TAU EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD

Wed., Apr. 15, Online
Artificial Intelligence – Trends, Forecasts, and Courageous Truths
A webinar by TAU Alumni and TAU Aurion with YPO Mosaic and YPO Jewish Group on AI trends and futures studies. Registration

Sun., Apr. 26, Toronto
TAU Canada’s 2026 Changemakers Gala – Honouring the Mulroney Family
The event will bolster the Mulroney Chair, fostering Canadian-Israeli leadership, research, and policy collaboration. Contact

Sun., Apr. 26, Miami
FL: Z3 Conference
AFTAU is a sponsor of the Z3 Conference, a one-day event fostering dialogue between American Jewry and Israel. Contact

Sun. to Thu., May 3–7, Toronto
CIREC – Canada-Israel Real Estate Connection
An exclusive for-credit program for Tel Aviv University MBA students focused on real estate in Canada. Contact

Tue., Jun. 2, UK
University for a Night – TAU Trust Signature Event
An inspiring evening of intellectual exploration and cutting-edge insights from TAU researchers in partnership with J.P. Morgan Private Bank. Contact