NEW YORK (Press Release) — More than 120 organizational partners across the country will join Americans for Ben-Gurion University (A4BGU) for its third annual “Ben-Gurion Day in the USA” on December 8. This year’s event offers a special message of resilience and unity in the face of adversity, and is rooted in the increasingly relevant vision of Israel’s founding prime minister, David Ben-Gurion.
For San Diegans who already have an affinity for southern Israel due to the local Jewish Federation’s longtime sister-city relationship with Sha’ar HaNegev, A4BGU’s initiative provides a new touchpoint for cultivating that region-to-region connection.
Ben-Gurion Day has long been a national day of commemoration in Israel. With this third iteration of Ben-Gurion Day in the USA in 2024, A4BGU is once again bringing this important day of reflection and forward-thinking across the Atlantic, inviting Americans to honor Ben-Gurion’s spirit of resilience, unity, and hope in the face of challenges — values that were vital when Israel was founded and arguably more essential today.
A4BGU’s organizational partners — including approximately 75 synagogues, 25 day schools, 10 JCCs, and five Jewish Federations — are participating in Ben-Gurion Day in the USA by engaging with A4BGU’s “Program in a Box,” a free toolkit of resources and activities designed to help communities reflect on Ben-Gurion’s legacy. The box includes educational tools, posters, and a lesson plan that will guide participants through meaningful discussions about resilience and Israel’s role on the global stage.
“We are gratified to see so many Jewish institutions use Ben-Gurion Day in the USA to rally around the theme of Israel’s remarkable resilience in a world indelibly changed by October 7,” said Doug Seserman, CEO of A4BGU. “David Ben-Gurion’s historic promise was that Israel would be a light unto the nations. This robust, nationwide participation inspires and empowers A4BGU to lead the way forward in shaping that brighter future.”
Today, David Ben-Gurion’s vision is carried out at the academic institution bearing his name, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), where world-leading research enables Israel to fulfill its promise as a “Migdal Or” (beacon of light) by helping solve humanity’s biggest challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, cybersecurity, AI, robotics, global health, marine biology, and more. In fact, BGU’s water research is what inspired former San Diego residents Dr. Howard and Lottie Marcus to make the largest-ever philanthropic gift in Israeli history, $500 million in 2016.
Ben-Gurion Day in the USA 2024 also features an engaging webinar hosted in partnership with the Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute, focusing on Ben-Gurion’s teachings on resilience. The webinar will feature rarely seen archival documents that highlight his leadership during Israel’s early years, and discussions on how his philosophy remains relevant in today’s context. Experts will offer reflections on the lasting impact of Ben-Gurion’s vision for Israel’s future.
The messages surrounding Ben-Gurion Day in the USA have deeper significance one year after October 7, 2023, a day that profoundly impacted the entire country, but particularly the South of Israel. BGU, located just 22 miles from the Gaza Envelope, was directly and disproportionately affected by the atrocities in comparison to other universities in Israel. And yet, the University rose to the challenges of the moment by spearheading the nation’s rebuilding and recovery. In massive numbers, BGU community members volunteered in hospitals, aided families’ of IDF soldiers, and organized logistical operations to circulate critical food and supplies.
As Israel continues to recover from the profound challenges of the past year, Ben-Gurion Day in the USA 2024 serves as a powerful reminder of Israel’s resilience and the unity of the Jewish people worldwide. It is a day to reflect on the enduring spirit of the nation and how David Ben-Gurion’s principles of determination, innovation, and perseverance continue to both guide Israel through today’s challenges and provide broader inspiration globally.
For more information on Ben-Gurion Day in the USA, or to register for the webinar, please visit: BenGurionDayUSA.org
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Preceding provided by Americans for Ben Gurion University