The Ariel University Center of Samaria
Ariel University Center of Samaria Close-Up
- November 2008 DBI Conference on the Media and the Middle East
- Mathematical Research Centre Conferences
- The Acting Prime Minister Visits Ariel
- AFCJS Honors IBG Chair Moshe Arens
- Israel Space Agency Head Visits Ariel University Center of Samaria
- University Center Welcomes Netzarim Evacuees
- Ariel University Center of Samaria Hosts Milken Family, Dedicates Campus
- Israeli Cabinet Votes for Ariel University Center of Samaria University Status
- Groundbreaking for Hecht Library
- Ariel University Center of Samaria Dedicates Campus Synagogue
- Christian Group Extends a Helping Hand to Students
- Ariel University Center of Samaria Dedicates Asseo Civil Engineering Building
- Academic Council Approves New Ariel University Center of Samaria Department
- Agilent Technologies Honored for Software Donation
- IBG Member Appointed to U.S.-Israel Advisory Panel
- Ariel University Center of Samaria to Establish School of Mass Communications
- Ariel University Center of Samaria Creates Scholarship Fund in Memory of Slain Students
- Ariel University Center of Samaria - A Leader in Samaria & Jordan Valley Research
- Ariel University Center of Samaria Mourns the Passing of a Dear Friend
- Ariel University Center of Samaria Students Hold Dialogue with UCLA Counterparts on Israel Situation
- Ariel University Center of Samaria Convenes Bar-Illan Conference on Media Accuracy
- University Center Inaugurates New Computer Lab
- Ariel University Center of Samaria Researchers Put Coal Ash to Constructive Use
On December 4, 2005, the American Friends of the University Center of Judea & Samaria (AFCJS) paid tribute to Moshe Arens, Chairman of the University Center’s International Board of Governors and Israel's former Defense Minister and Foreign Minister. Mr. Arens was honored with the organization’s first "Living Legacy Award", and feted on his 80th birthday at a gala dinner held at the Milken Family Foundation in Santa Monica, California.
"Education is important everywhere, particularly in Israel. Our natural resources are very limited but our most important is our young people, so investing in their education is key," said Mr. Arens while accepting the award.
The dinner's co-chairmen were Vidal Sassoon and Lou Lenart, who joined Mr. Arens during the course of the evening for a discussion about the events in 1948 that led each to leave their respective homes and come to Israel to fight for the country’s independence. The discussion was facilitated by Dr. Robert Wexler, President of the University of Judaism.
L to R - L.Lenart, L.Milken, M.Arens, V.Sassoon
Nearly 200 well-wishers came to the event from both American coasts, with all seeking to express their appreciation to Mr Arens for his years of dedicated service on behalf of the State of Israel and the Jewish people. The evening’s Master of Ceremonies was Prof. Haim Brown, a Senior Instructor in Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder and an Adjunct Professor at the Ariel University Center of Samaria.
After greetings by Lowell Milken, Chairman and Co-Founder of the Milken Family Foundation, and Ehud Danoch, Israel’s Consul General in Los Angeles, Kanubash Talala, a sophomore studying chemical engineering and biotechnology at Ariel University Center of Samaria, and Shanit Hassid, a UCLA graduate who founded "Panim-el-Panim", a program that links L.A. students with their Ariel counterparts, joined Prof. Dan Meyerstein, Ariel University Center of Samaria President, in presenting Mr. Arens with his award. The students and the award emphasized Ariel University Center of Samaria and its graduates as the living legacy to one who has devoted so much to the security and strength of the Jewish state.
Molly Weinberg, a supporter and friend of Ariel University Center of Samaria, helped organize the event, together with AFCJS Executive Director Avery Ellisman, and benefited greatly from the assistance and guidance provided by Lowell Milken and the staff of the Milken Family Foundation.
In addition to attendance by Ariel University Center of Samaria International Board Members Stanley Haar of Boca Raton, FL and Steve Friedman of Philadelphia, PA, and published letters of congratulations to Mr. Arens from President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, event guests also included actors and recording artists Ed Ames and Michelle Phillips.
It was, by all standards, an exceptional evening as it broke from tradition and, rather than a roast or a variety of praising speeches leading to a keynote address, staged and captured on film a rare and candid discussion between three patriots of Israel - Moshe Arens, Vidal Sassoon and Lou Lenart. The audience was captivated, with all in attendance moved and inspired by the Zionism that motivates these men.
Widely known as the "father of modern hair dressing," Vidal Sassoon was part of the “43 Group” that fought post-war fascist thugs in the streets of London. In 1948 Mr. Sassoon joined the Palmach in the struggle to establish the Jewish state, and 34 years later founded the Sassoon International Center for the Study of Anti-Semitism at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.
Lou Lenart was a Captain and fighter pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and later flew with the Israel Air Force in the 1948 War of Independence. He flew with Ezer Weizman, Modi Alon and Eddie Cohen and was the lead pilot in the first aerial combat mission of the IAF in 1948.
The evening was successful not only for the funds raised and the attention it brought to the Ariel University Center of Samaria, but also for the opportunity it created for many to witness and hear three wonderfully articulate and famous individuals whose deeds truly exemplify their love of Israel.
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The Ariel University Center of Samaria (Ariel University Center of Samaria), Israel's next university, welcomed Prof. Zvi Kaplan, Director General of the Israel Space Agency (ISA), to the Ariel campus in August 2005.
Prof. Kaplan toured the school and several of its research laboratories, accompanied by Prof. Zvi Shiller, Chairman of the Mechanical Engineering (Mechatronics) Dept., Prof. Shraga Shoval, Chairman of the Industrial Engineering & Management Dept., and Alexander Zinigrad, Director of the Ariel University Center of Samaria Research Authority.
During the visit, Prof. Shiller demonstrated his six-wheel robotic rover and its ability for advanced autonomous navigation through a field of rocks and boulders, the University Center's own version of NASA's "Mars Sandbox". ISA is the primary sponsor of the school's rover project.
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Following the evacuation of thousands of Jews from Gaza as part of the Israeli government's "Disengagement Plan", the Ariel University Center of Samaria opened its doors to the 500-strong Gush Katif community of Netzarim in August 2005.
The former Netzarim residents, consisting of approximately 80 families, moved into student dormitories on the Ariel campus, while also receiving food supplies, logistic support, basic equipment and use of the University Center's synagogue.
"Helping the people of Netzarim is an act of national responsibility. By opening our arms to the community, we hope to reduce the trauma that these evacuees will experience in the coming months," said Yigal Cohen-Orgad, Chairman of the Executive Committee.
Netzarim families on campus
Although only one-third of the dormitories are occupied by students during the summer, the University Center anticipates a 10% increase in academic enrollment over last year. School officials are working to find alternative accommodations for several hundred students in case the Netzarim families remain on campus after the beginning of the Fall semester.
The initiative to absorb the former Netzarim residents in the City of Ariel was promoted by two Ariel University Center of Samaria faculty members, Dr. Miriam Billig of the Behavioral Sciences Department and Prof. Shraga Shoval of the Industrial Engineering Department. Both participated in efforts between the Prime Minister's Office, the Housing Ministry and the Netzarim leadership to base the Gaza evacuation on professional and planned parameters.
"As long as the Netzarim community stays together, it is easier to care for the families with the help of their own leadership, support system, as well as outside assistance", said Dr. Billig.
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The Ariel University Center of Samaria was greatly honored to welcome to Ariel one of its closest friends and most generous benefactors, Lowell Milken of Santa Monica, California. Mr. Milken visited the school in June 2005, accompanied by his wife Sandra, his mother Ferne, and his three sons Ryan, David and Aaron.
Widely recognized throughout the United States as an educational pioneer and innovator, Mr. Milken is Chairman and Co-Founder, with his brother Michael, of the Milken Family Foundation, which promotes comprehensive education and medical research.
During the visit, the University Center held a special ceremony to dedicate the Milken Family Campus, previously known as the eastern campus. This area houses most of the school's teaching and research laboratories, as well as its main administration building, computer center, technological incubator and gymnasium.
Milken family, M.Arens, Prof. D.Meyerstein at dedication
Present at the inauguration were the Milken family; Moshe Arens, Chairman of the International Board of Governors; Yigal Cohen-Orgad, Chairman of the Executive Committee; Prof. Dan Meyerstein, President; Ron Nachman, Mayor of Ariel; Michael Stoltz, Vice President for Development & External Affairs; Metuka Benjamin, a supporter of the University Center and friend of the Milken Family; and several dozen faculty and students.
During the ceremony, Mr. Milken commended the University Center for its impressive growth and development in recent years and said, "The future of the State of Israel is dependant upon good education."
Prior to arriving at the University Center, Mr. Milken and his family attended several events in the City of Ariel, one of which involved the presentation of 'honorary citizenship' to Mr. Milken.
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The Israeli Cabinet voted on May 2, 2005 to support a proposal by Education Minister Limor Livnat to upgrade the Ariel University Center of Samaria (Ariel University Center of Samaria) to full university status.
The University Center, led by Moshe Arens, Chairman of the International Board of Governors, Prof. Dan Meyerstein, President, and Yigal Cohen-Orgad, Chairman of the Executive Committee, praised the government's decision and its recognition of Ariel University Center of Samaria as one of Israel's leading institutions of higher learning, noting that the school has been the country's largest public University Center for many years.
Prime Minister Sharon said during the Cabinet meeting, "I ascribe great importance to converting the school in Ariel, with its more than 8,000 students, into a university. This is in keeping with government policy, which views strengthening the settlement blocs as one of its primary goals. Transforming [Ariel University Center of Samaria] into a university is in keeping with government policy".
While the government’s decision does not automatically grant university status to Ariel University Center of Samaria, the Cabinet does instruct Minister Livnat, in her capacity as Chairperson of the Council of Higher Education (CHE), to confirm the academic grounds for such an action, in coordination with the CHE and other planning bodies.
"I'm very confident that Ariel University Center of Samaria will receive official recognition as Israel's next university in the near future. To me, the government decision means that we’ve 'crossed the Rubicon', and there's no turning back from our goal. We're certain to become Israel’s newest university", declared Prof. Meyerstein.
In addition to government backing, several Arab leaders from central Israel publicly applauded the Cabinet's decision on Ariel University Center of Samaria, citing their communities' close ties with the University Center and the good relations that exist between Jewish and Arab students on campus.
Within Israel’s academic framework, the upgrading of a school's status from a University Center to a university traditionally means that the institution can request CHE approval to issue post-graduate degrees and seek expanded government funding.
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Convened in May 2005, the Eleventh Annual Meeting of the International Board of Governors (IBG) was marked by a special groundbreaking ceremony for the University Center’s new library on its western campus.
Sponsored by the Reuben & Edith Hecht Trust, the new facility, formally named the Reuben Hecht (æ"ì) Building, will serve as the library's central wing, housing hundreds of thousands of new volumes and providing additional space for new computer rooms and study halls.
The ceremony's guest of honor was Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who used the opportunity to express his support for the University Center and the government's decision to grant the school official university status.
Representing the Hecht Trust at the event was Harry Zessler, a long-time friend of the University Center. Also attending were Moshe Arens, IBG Chairman; Yigal Cohen-Orgad, Chairman of the Executive Committee; Prof. Zilla Sinuany-Stern, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Frida Shor, Director of Library Resources; and dozens of IBG members and faculty.
"The heart of every school is its central library. Our new library complex will serve as the focal point of the University Center’s academic program, both in terms of teaching and research, for years to come. We should be very thankful to the Hecht Trust for its generosity," said Ms. Shor.
According to school officials, the library's eastern and western wings will be built at a later date, once additional donations and government matching funds have been secured.
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A new synagogue was officially inaugurated at the Ariel University Center of Samaria in December 2004. The building was dedicated in memory of Michael Karash (æ"ì), former Owner and Publisher of Makor Rishon and an IBG member, who passed away unexpectedly in late 2003.
The new facility - formally named Yosef Meir / Michael Karash - seats 45, includes a bima, aron hakodesh and has a small lecture hall for basic and advanced Torah studies for both men and women.
Held during Hanukkah, the ceremony was attended by Yigal Cohen-Orgad, Chairman of the University Center's Executive Committee, Ester Karash, widow of Mr. Karash, members of the Karash family, Esti Bar-Chen, Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. David Cassuto, Chairman of the Architecture Department, and several dozen faculty members and students.
During the celebrations, the University Center expressed its appreciation to Dr. Ya'acov Heruti of Tel Aviv, a long-time friend of the Karash family and an IBG member, for his leading role in organizing sponsorship of the synagogue.
"The Karash Synagogue will encourage and strengthen religious observance on campus and will provide students with a more convenient site to attend daily prayers and study sessions. It's certainly a welcomed addition to our University Center," said Mrs. Bar-Chen.
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Like some segments of Israeli society, there are students at the Ariel University Center of Samaria who have a hard time making ends meet. To help alleviate this, the school administration provides supplementary food aid to students who lack money for the bare essentials, especially adequate meals.
Following a visit to the University Center in August 2004, Clarence Wagner and Rebecca Brimmer of Bridges for Peace (BFP), a Jerusalem-based Christian organization that supports the State of Israel, expressed interest in extending a helping hand to these underprivileged students.
Soon after, BFP began monthly shipments of (kosher) food supplies to the University Center for distribution to those in need who live in student housing on campus. The assistance includes cooking oil, sugar, salt, canned fruit & vegetables and dry food products, such as rice and pasta.
"I want to thank BFP for their generosity and friendship. The food they supply will help ease the burden placed on our less fortunate students, allowing them to concentrate on their academic studies rather than on their financial difficulties", said Esti Bar-Chen, Dean of Student Affairs.
For those interested in supporting the Ariel University Center of Samaria Food Aid Program, please contact the University Center's Office of Development & External Affairs.
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The Ariel University Center of Samaria celebrated the official inauguration of the Leon Asseo Building for Civil Engineering in June 2004, as part of its annual International Board of Governors (IBG) meeting on the Ariel campus.
The building dedication was made possible through the generous assistance of Leon Asseo, a prominent Brazilian businessman, philanthropist and a close friend of Benjamin Machnes, one of the University Center's long-time board members.
Located on the school's upper campus, the Asseo Building will serve as the centerpiece of the Civil Engineering Department, housing several teaching and research laboratories and allowing more effective training of students involved in this growing field.
Attending the dedication were members of the Asseo family - Nina Yosef and Alice Roth, Mr. Asseo's sister and niece respectively, Moshe Arens, IBG Chairman, Prof. Dan Meyerstein, Ariel University Center of Samaria President, Prof. Shmuel Shacham, Dean of the Engineering Faculty, Dr. Ya'acov Bloch, Chairman of the Civil Engineering Department, and dozens of board members and faculty.
"Mr. Asseo's support has allowed us to concentrate all major civil engineering facilities in one location, providing the department and its students with a significant boost at an important period in its relatively brief history," said Prof. Meyerstein.
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Building upon its continued growth in recent years, the Ariel University Center of Samaria recently added its seventeenth department to the school's academic framework, providing its students with even more choices in terms of their studies.
In May 2004, the University Center received formal approval from Israel’s Council of Higher Education to establish a new academic division - the Israel & Middle Eastern Studies Department.
The new department will operate as part of the Social Sciences Faculty and will be headed by Dr. Alexander Bligh. Dr. Bligh is Director of the Israel National Strategic Assessment Center (INSAC) at the University Center and previously served as Arab affairs adviser to Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir and as a lecturer at the Israeli Foreign Ministry and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
The Israel & Middle Eastern Studies Department's unique curriculum will combine regional studies (Israel, Middle East & Arabic) with disciplinary studies (political science). Students graduating from this division will earn an undergraduate degree in a specific field with a focus on regional studies.
Commenting on the Council's decision, Prof. Noach Milgram, Dean of the Social Sciences Faculty, said, “We welcome the opening of the new department and look forward to increasing the knowledge-base in this important field."
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At a special ceremony in January 2004, the Ariel University Center of Samaria honored Agilent Technologies Israel for its contribution of state-of-the-art computer software to the Department of Electrical Engineering & Electronics.
The incorporation of Agilent's ADS (Advanced Design Systems) software into one of the school's engineering laboratories provides students with an opportunity to enhance their learning techniques in the areas of communications, radio & microwave circuits, data exchange and solutions integration.
Based in Petah Tikva, Agilent Technologies Israel provides technology services to clients worldwide involved in electronics, communications, life sciences and chemical analysis. Prior to 1999, its parent company, Agilent Technologies, was part of the Hewlett-Packard Company.
Ariel University Center of Samaria and Agilent representatives were on hand to unveil a plaque in the engineering laboratory. Those present included Prof. Dan Meyerstein, Ariel University Center of Samaria President, Isaac Siton, Agilent General Manager, Danny Bustan, Agilent Account Manager, Prof. Shmuel Shacham, Chairman of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Amir Abramovich, Director of the Electrical Engineering & Electronics Laboratory, and students and faculty involved in electrical engineering on campus.
"Agilent's donation is a tremendous gift. Students will be able to use the most advanced simulation codes involved in communications and microwave circuits, thereby giving them the ability to compete for prestigious job positions in the hi-tech sector," said Dr. Abramovich.
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Steve Friedman, a partner at Dilworth Paxson LLP and a member of the University Center’s International Board of Governors, was appointed in November 2003 to the Joint High Level Advisory Panel of the U.S.-Israel Science & Technology Commission by U.S. Commerce Secretary Don Evans.
The Commission was established in 1993 under the terms of the U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding and seeks to identify ways to promote economic and technological cooperation between the two countries.
An active member of the Philadelphia Jewish community, Mr. Friedman also recently joined the national board of directors of ‘American Friends of the Ariel University Center of Samaria’.
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The Ariel University Center of Samaria announced plans in September 2003 to establish a School of Mass Communications (SMC) in Ariel.
The new school is intended to meet the growing demand for people trained in various aspects of media presentation by offering an undergraduate degree in mass communications. Students will study the theory, history and ethics of the field and develop professional skills in the technologies and means of modern communications (e.g., print journalism, radio & television broadcasting, film production, research skills, web-based communications and public relations).
The SMC program is being made possible through the generous support of Dr. Irving & Mrs. Cherna Moskowitz. Dr. & Mrs. Moskowitz are long-time friends of the University Center and the City of Ariel and have a long history of philanthropy to Jewish causes and charities in the United States and Israel.
The University Center has submitted an application to Israel's Council for Higher Education for the SMC’s formal academic accreditation and expects to inaugurate the program as the Moskowitz School of Mass Communications in late 2004.
The new school will be headed by Dr. Yariv Ben-Eliezer, former Dean of the School of Communications at the Tel Aviv College of Management and grandson of Israel's first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion. A graduate of New York University, Dr. Ben-Eliezer is also a well-known media analyst and political consultant.
Study towards the mass communications degree will involve three years of intensive theoretical and laboratory work. As with other Ariel University Center of Samaria graduates, SMC students will be required to take courses on Judaism, Jewish and Zionist history and Land of Israel studies.
"Through the creation of the communications school, new professionals in this field will be able to pose a cogent and healthy counterpoint to views about the State of Israel that prevail in today’s media and academia", said Michael Stoltz, Vice President for Development & External Affairs.
The University Center administration would like to note with appreciation the role played by Ron Nachman, Mayor of Ariel, and Dina Shalit, Director of the Ariel Development Fund, in the initial development of the SMC project.
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A special ceremony was held at the Ariel University Center of Samaria in March 2003 to mark the establishment of a new scholarship fund to honor the memory of two Ariel University Center of Samaria students and one alumnus who were killed in Arab terror attacks during 2002 - Baruch Lerner (æ"ì), Arik Becker (æ"ì) and Avi Walenski (æ"ì).
Approximately 200 people attended the event, including Prof. Dan Meyerstein, Ariel University Center of Samaria President, Ron Nachman, Mayor of Ariel, Esti Bar-Chen, Dean of Student Affairs, a representative from the I.D.F. Central Command and relatives and friends of the three students. During the ceremony, student and family representatives spoke emotionally about Baruch, Arik and Avi and later more than 80 students from various departments were presented with scholarships.
Prof. Meyerstein remembered the three murdered students for their great sacrifice on behalf of the State of Israel and the Jewish people and noted that the number of students at the school continues to grow each year, despite the violence in the country.
During the ceremony, Mrs. Bar-Chen expressed the school's appreciation to the supporters of the scholarship program - Eliyahu Hasid of Tel Aviv, Michael Singer of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Marvin Pomerantz of Des Moines, Iowa.
Also presented at the ceremony were the annual scholarships from the Gallel family of Ramat Gan to honor their son, David (æ"ì), who died in a car accident in 1991.
Those interested in receiving more information about the new scholarship fund, including donor options, are asked to contact the Office of Development & External Affairs.
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Much of the long history of the Jewish people in the Land of Israel revolves around the regions known as Samaria and the Jordan Valley. Researchers at the Ariel University Center of Samaria are playing an important role in conducting short and long-term research on these areas, with the aim of establishing and strengthening Jewish communities there.
In 1998, the Samaria & Jordan Valley Regional R&D Center was officially established on the Ariel campus, at the initiative of Dr. Ya’acov Eshel, a resident of Kedumim and one of the University Center’s senior research professionals. The Center operates under the sponsorship of the Israeli Ministry of Science and is one of ten government-assisted regional centers in the country.
The Center carries out research in two primary areas: 1) Environmental and agricultural sciences, led by Dr. Moti Cohen, a hydrologist by profession, and 2) Social science, headed by Dr. David Solomonika, a sociologist by profession.
In the field of environmental science, the Center’s staff is involved in a variety of projects, such as monitoring the flow of water and pollutants along the Samarian mountain aquifer, preventing water and soil pollution in the Barkan industrial park and evaluating environmental hazards in central Samaria as a result of mining and quarrying.
In addition, the Center runs agricultural-related projects for farmers in the Samaria and Binyamin regions. Two recent examples include: determining the epidemiology of viruses in vineyards in the Jordan Valley and preparing a comprehensive plan to make use of drainage water in agricultural settlements in Samaria. Funding for most projects is being provided by the World Zionist Organization settlement division and participating regional councils.
In the area of social science, the Center’s activities concentrate on setting up a comprehensive agricultural database of Jewish settlements in Samaria, monitoring the “pioneers” of the mountain areas of Judea and Samaria and preventing birth defects by means of genetic surveys in communities in Samaria and the Jordan Valley area.
For more information about the Center and its programs, please contact Dr. Eshel at: eshel@ariel.ac.il.
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The administration and faculty of the Ariel University Center of Samaria were profoundly saddened to learn of the passing of Russ Berrie (æ"ì) of Englewood, New Jersey on December 25, 2002.
A true friend of the Jewish people and the Land of Israel, Mr. Berrie was a generous benefactor of the school in Ariel, funding the construction and development of the Russ Berrie Building - Center for Strategic Studies.
Mr. Berrie, 69, was Chairman and CEO of Russ Berrie & Co. in Oakland, New Jersey, one of the world's largest gift companies. He was also known for his philanthropic work in the areas of education, health and the arts in the United States and Israel.
"The University Center and the State of Israel have suffered a tremendous loss with the untimely passing of Mr. Berrie. We express our deepest condolences to Mrs. Berrie and the family and hope that our school will prove a worthy legacy of Mr. Berrie's vision and generosity", said Prof. Dan Meyerstein, Ariel University Center of Samaria President.
Mr. Berrie is survived by his wife, Angelica, and six children (from previous marriages): Brett, Leslie, Richard, Scott, Nicole and David.
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Students on many American University Center campuses are faced with an onslaught of half-truths and pro-Palestinian rhetoric that demonize Israel and those who live or study in Judea and Samaria. In hopes of countering this perspective, students from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and the Ariel University Center of Samaria (Ariel University Center of Samaria) have begun holding a series of teleconferences to discuss current events in Israel, with the most recent dialogue occurring in May 2002.
Led by Shanit Hassid, a senior majoring in political science at UCLA, and Shimrit Karavani, a third-year political science and communications major at Ariel University Center of Samaria, the two groups of students discussed the continuing violence in Israel, the impact that terrorism has had on Ariel University Center of Samaria students and the growth of anti-Semitism in the U.S., Europe and elsewhere.
Entitled "Panim el Panim" (Face to Face), the program took life through Ariel Mayor Ron Nachman's introduction of Ms. Hassid to Avery Ellisman, the U.S. representative of Ariel University Center of Samaria. Others involved in the program include Michael Stoltz, Vice President for Development & External Affairs, and Steven Mercer, Director of the University Center Campus Initiative for the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.
"We knew it was important, but are still surprised by the impact of "Panim el Panim", said Mr. Ellisman. "Students at UCLA were hungry for support and encouragement, and came away from the teleconferences feeling emboldened and more strongly committed to advancing pro-Israel causes."
Jasmine Oberman, one of the UCLA student participants said "'Panim el Panim' made pro-Israel politics personal," noting that the program fostered "… a group of twenty new activists [in the U.S.] who are passionate about their support for the State of Israel."
Ms. Hassid said she was pleased with the outcome of the program. "It is very important for us to have contact with Israeli students at this time. Speaking directly with students in Ariel inspired us to stand up to the pro-Palestinian propaganda on campus", noted Ms. Hassid. Several "Panim el Panim" participants are already planning to visit Israel this summer and meet with their new friends from the Ariel University Center of Samaria.
Given similar concerns over the prevalence of anti-Israel sentiment at San Diego State University and UC San Diego, Jewish student representatives who heard about "Panim el Panim" have recently approached Mr. Ellisman for help in creating similar programs on their campuses next year. "Ariel University Center of Samaria students welcome sharing their perspective with their American counterparts. They have had a difficult year, being both fighters and victims of the battles we only read about here in the U.S. They feel supported and encouraged by their contact with American students, and all who have participated are looking forward to the program's continuance", said Mr. Ellisman.
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More than 300 peopled filled the main auditorium on the Ariel University Center of Samaria campus on March 3, 2002 as part of a special one-day conference entitled "Media Accuracy & the Middle East".
The event was held in honor of David Bar-Illan, former Editor of the Jerusalem Post and Director of Communications in Prime Minister Netanyahu's Office, and one of the pioneers in bringing the issue of media objectivity to the forefront of the public agenda.
Participants included Andrea Levin of CAMERA, Daniel Seaman of the Government Press Office, Khaled Abu-Toameh of the Jerusalem Report, Uri Dan of Ma'ariv, Maj. Gen. (res) David Tzur of Al-Yisrael, Jay Bushinsky of WINS Radio, Hana Beris of BBC Latin America Service, Haim Koren of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Eli Pollak of Israel Media Watch, Jeff Barak of the Jerusalem Post, Itamar Marcus of Palestinian Media Watch, and Mordechai Sklar of the Second Broadcasting Authority.
Deputy Prime Minister & Housing Minister Natan Sharansky spoke during the latter half of the forum about his long friendship with David Bar-Illan.
Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave the keynote address, speaking about David Bar-Illan and his influence on the media, as well as the current challenges facing the Jewish state.
Jeff Barak, Editor of the Jerusalem Post, presented the University Center with a surprise gift of NIS 50,000 to help support the media conference. Other sponsors of the event included Ronald Lauder, Arthur Cohn, the Bialkin Family Foundation and Cyril Stein.
The audience consisted mainly of students, academics, journalists, government officials and friends and family of Mr. Bar-Illan. Several former members of the Netanyahu administration also came to the forum in honor of their respected colleague. Those included former advisers Aviv Bushinsky, Moshe Leon and Rami Sadan, as well as former ambassadors Dore Gold and Zalman Shoval.
"The conference was clearly a great success. The University Center and the Bar-Illan family hope that it will serve as an important resource in the struggle against media bias. Its proceedings will be published and made available to the general public”, said Michael Stoltz, Vice President for Development & External Affairs and a former deputy to Mr. Bar-Illan in the Prime Minister’s Office.
As a result of the large turnout for the conference and the widespread interest expressed by many in Israel and abroad about the event, the Ariel University Center of Samaria will seek to establish an annual conference in honor of Mr. Bar-Illan and the issue that he espoused - truth and fairness in news reporting.
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The Ariel University Center of Samaria, led by the Faculty of Engineering and the Department of Architecture, inaugurated the Alcabes Family Laboratory for Computer-Aided Design & Manufacturing in September 2001. The ceremony took place at the main computer center as part of the annual board meeting.
The new facility will serve as a state-of-the-art teaching laboratory, providing engineering and architecture students at the University Center with the chance to work with advanced computer graphics programs and learn computer-aided design and manufacturing.
Prof. Nissim Alcabes of Lima, Peru donated the laboratory in memory of his father, mother and brother, Haim J. Alcabes (æ"ì), Laura Avdala de Alcabes (æ"ì) and Jacob Meir Alcabes A. (æ"ì).
In attendance at the ceremony were Prof. Alcabes, family members and friends, Prof. Moshe Arens, IBG Chairman, Prof. Dan Meyerstein, University Center President, Yigal Cohen-Orgad, Chairman of the Executive Committee, and Prof. Zilla Sinuany-Stern, Vice President for Academic Affairs. Students and faculty members involved in architecture and engineering also came to express their appreciation for the new facility.
"Through Prof. Alcabes’ generosity the University Center is able to provide hundreds of students with a wonderful opportunity to study computer graphics, a field of growing importance in today’s hi-tech world", said Prof. Sinuany-Stern.
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Countries around the world are facing a growing number of environmental concerns. One of the major problems in Israel involves waste disposal. Every year, more and more garbage is being emptied into land fills, creating a potentially serious ecological threat to the Jewish state.
With imported coal being one of Israel’s principle sources of energy, large amounts of ash remain after the coal is processed by power stations into electricity. As a result, thousands of tons of left-over coah ash are shipped each month to garbage dumps throughout the country.
To deal with this problem, a group of scientists at the Ariel University Center of Samaria, led by Dr. Mark Nisnevich, a veteran immigrant from the former Soviet Union, established the coal ash utilization project in 1995. The aim of this program is two-fold: to alleviate some of Israel’s waste problems, while, at the same time, develop light-weight building materials for use in construction.
Dr. Nisnevich and his staff at the Structure Materials Laboratory, a branch of the school’s research institute, have created a comprehensive and industrially viable way of using two types of coal ash (bottom ash and fly ash) to produce lightweight concrete materials, such as building blocks. This method involves the mixing of coal ash with other materials, resulting in a density level half that of regular concrete.
Patented by the Ariel University Center of Samaria research staff in the United States in 1997, this process has met the general requirements of the Ministry of Environment and the Israel Institute of Standardization in the areas of strength and conductivity. Tel Aviv University also tested the material’s radiation levels to ensure appropriate safety standards.
In June 2001, a local firm in Modi’in used the Ariel University Center of Samaria coal ash technique to begin limited commercial production of lightweight concrete blocks for use in building projects in central Israel.
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