By Jacob Kamaras
SAN DIEGO — San Diegans who already have an affinity for southern Israel now have a new opportunity to support the region and its people through “Way Forward,” a $1 billion global fundraising campaign launched by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU).
As the largest employer in the region, BGU is key to the economic vitality of Israel’s South and will play a pivotal role in rebuilding the Negev and propelling it forward following the October 7 Hamas massacre.
While BGU is based in Be’er Sheva, the de facto “capital of the Negev,” southern Israel is also home to the Sha’ar HaNegev region — which has shared a deep connection with San Diego’s Jewish community for more than 25 years. With the support of the Jewish Federation of San Diego, this relationship has resulted in diplomatic exchanges, philanthropic aid, and other efforts.
Then, several days after the October 7 attacks, the city of San Diego and Sha’ar HaNegev expanded their ties by formalizing a sister-city relationship. After Ofir Libstein, the mayor of Sha’ar HaNegev, was killed by Hamas terrorists while he defended Kibbutz Kfar Aza, San Diego’s Mayor Todd Gloria said he was “personally mourning” the loss.
Leading the way forward
On April 8, Americans for Ben-Gurion University (A4BGU) announced the launch of the Way Forward campaign, which strives to strengthen the future of Israel through its South, with BGU as the region’s anchor institution and engine for growth.
“On October 6th, it was already evident that the future of Israel is in the South and that Ben-Gurion University would drive that future. On October 7th, BGU’s community was disproportionately affected by the attacks. In the days that followed, the University began demonstrating just how vital it is to the remarkable resilience of the entire nation,” said Doug Seserman, CEO of A4BGU. “Through this historic campaign, Diaspora supporters are rallying around Israel’s essential efforts to rebuild the South, with the University leading the way forward as both the epicenter of the region and the key to its recovery.”
To date, supporters of the University from North America and around the world have committed more than $380 million to the campaign. This includes gifts from an array of prominent philanthropists and foundations, including Sylvan Adams ($100 million), Katja Goldman and Michael Sonnenfeldt ($20 million), The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust ($18 million), the Diane & Guilford Glazer Foundation ($15 million), and Ernest Scheller ($6 million).
Tasked with securing 60 percent, or $600 million of the campaign’s $1 billion goal, A4BGU is galvanizing American supporters into action. The funds raised in the Way Forward campaign will support BGU’s capital building and expansion projects ($500 million), student access and support ($250 million), and research excellence ($250 million).
Remarkable resilience
The BGU community was disproportionately impacted by the October 7 attacks compared to other universities in Israel. Eighty percent of Israelis killed on October 7 were from the Negev, while close to 3,000 were treated at Soroka University Medical Center and Barzilai Medical Center, and 200,000 Negev residents were displaced from their homes. Within the BGU community, more than 111 people were killed (including fallen soldiers, students, and immediate relatives); 29 were wounded; eight are missing or were kidnapped; 1,000 were displaced from their homes; and more than 6,600 were called to reserve duty, with several hundred still in active service.And yet, the University is simultaneously driving the resilience behind the recovery of southern Israel and the entire nation. A number of BGU students volunteered in hospitals throughout Israel following the attacks, providing medical and psychological assistance to wounded Israelis and their families. Students and faculty members supported the families of IDF soldiers called up for reserve duty by looking after their children and maintaining their homes. University dormitories opened to families of casualties, evacuees, and army reservists, while evacuated families were also being hosted at the homes of BGU faculty and staff. Dozens of students and staff members supported a massive logistical operation for sorting and preparing food and supplies contributions.
“From its inception, Ben-Gurion University has had a major role in building the future of Israel through developing the Negev,” BGU President Prof. Daniel Chamovitz said. “Over the past half century, we have accomplished the remarkable in transforming the desert into a center of research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. In the wake of the tragedy of October 7th, the dual calling of BGU — the fostering of cutting-edge research and building the Negev — is clearer than ever. We are proud to take a central role in continuing to build Israel’s future from the Negev.”
Those interested in learning more about BGU’s central role in strengthening Israel’s future are invited to attend A4BGU’s signature annual virtual event, “Remarkable Resilience: Leading the Way Forward,” on May 8 at 9 a.m. PST. This free webinar will showcase how BGU is leading the way forward for Israel and standing as a beacon of hope in the aftermath of October 7. The event will be hosted by Tel Aviv-based digital and television journalist Natasha Raquel Kirtchuk, lead anchor and content creator for i24 News’ “Global Eye with Natasha Kirtchuk.”
“Our event will powerfully demonstrate the reality that we at A4BGU already understood long before October 7, but is now clearer than ever to a growing number of Americans — that Ben-Gurion University is the centerpiece of the future of the South and all of Israel,” Seserman said. “As a vital part of Israel’s rebuilding and recovery efforts, the University’s response to the Hamas atrocities is showing just how vital the institution is to the remarkable resilience of the entire nation.”
Register to attend the webinar at: a4bgu.org/RR
To learn more about the Way Forward campaign, visit: https://americansforbgu.org/way-forward/
*
Jacob Kamaras is a former publisher and editor of San Diego Jewish World. He is now an executive with J Cubed Communications.