Bar-Ilan University is slowly returning to relative normality while acknowledging the profound impact of war and trauma and supporting faculty members, staff, and students who were affected by the October 7 attacks and the Israel-Hamas War. Since the start of the academic year, which was postponed to December 31 due to the situation, many of the university’s events, courses, programs, and research have focused (or will focus) on related topics and have resulted in the creation of valuable initiatives and projects.
Recognizing Achievement: Conferring Honorary Doctorates
In June this year, Bar-Ilan University will award honorary doctorates to men, women, and organizations whose work has had a profound effect on Israel during the war and in anticipation of the day after. One of the recipients is Haim Jelin, a resident of Kibbutz Beeri, former head of the Eshkol Regional Council, and a public activist strongly identified with the rehabilitation of the Gaza Envelope. Read more about the event here.
Community Outreach: Empowering Israeli Society
BIU’s French Department, in collaboration with the Learning and Teaching Division, initiated the “Community Project Challenge” to address societal needs. Led by Professors Silvia Adler and Galia Yanoshevsky, the program started by focusing on Israeli-Francophone communities but expanded due to the war. It emphasized student-driven community entrepreneurship with proposals falling into four main categories: the war and its aftermath, improving campus life and image, fostering community and identity, and supporting the Francophone community.
This challenge highlighted the students’ academic prowess and commitment to making a tangible impact on Israeli society, aligning with the university’s dedication to community engagement and social responsibility. Read more about this program here.
Inspiring Research: The Musical Impact of October 7
Israeli musicians, as integral voices in the cultural discourse, are in a complex position, yearning for resolution amidst this time of turmoil. The current Israeli mindset urges them to set aside the self, actively engage in collectivism, and be relevant to present events. Prof. Shai Cohen, Head of the BIU Music Department’s Program of Music, Technology, and Visual Media, analyzes the tragedy’s effect on the Israeli soundscape and how musicians are bearing witness through their music. Read about it here.
