Jerusalem, Israel – October 17, 2026 – Philanthropist and investor John Paulson announced a historic $250 million gift to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem tonight at the institution’s Board of Governors Gala. This landmark donation represents the largest ever made to the Hebrew University and, combined with previous contributions, brings Mr. Paulson’s total support for the university to $296 million. In recognition of this transformational commitment, the university’s historic Mount Scopus campus will be officially named The Alina and John Paulson Campus, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem.
Strategic Investment in Key Disciplines
The substantial gift is earmarked to bolster several major strategic priorities at the Hebrew University, with a particular focus on areas deemed of national importance. These include the development of a new Faculty of Engineering, the significant expansion of its medical and biomedical enterprise, critical research into trauma and post-trauma recovery, and the establishment of new frameworks designed for public impact.
- Engineering: A central component of the gift will support the development of Hebrew University’s new Faculty of Engineering. This investment is anticipated to strengthen the university’s role as a leading engine of innovation in Israel, fostering collaboration across engineering, computer science, medicine, and life sciences to address complex technological and societal challenges.
- Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: A major portion of the gift will advance the university’s medical and biomedical ecosystem. This will strengthen research, enhance infrastructure, and drive educational innovation within one of Israel’s most nationally vital fields. The funding will enable Hebrew University to elevate its emerging model for medical education, expanding its reach and deepening its research and technological foundations to accelerate its development into a platform with national and international impact.
- Trauma and Post-Trauma Recovery: The gift will also provide crucial support for trauma and post-trauma recovery research, alongside helping to establish a new impact and community think tank. This initiative aims to bridge the university’s academic expertise with urgent public needs both within Israel and globally.
This latest commitment builds upon the Paulson Family Foundation’s prior support for Hebrew University’s engineering and computer science infrastructure. Previous contributions include the Paulson Bar-El Building for Computer Science & Engineering and the John Paulson Building for Electrical Engineering, both located on the Edmond J. Safra Campus.
Paulson’s Rationale: Quality, Productivity, and Solidarity
John Paulson, Founder and Chairman of the Paulson Family Foundation, articulated his motivation for the unprecedented donation. “Israel, a country of only 10 million people, has astounded the world with its scientific and technological prowess,” Paulson stated. He further emphasized Hebrew University’s role as Israel’s leading university, providing “top-tier higher education to generations of students.”
Paulson highlighted the university’s historical foresight, co-founded by Albert Einstein in 1925, which “made a wager that education, specifically scientific education, would be the foundation of a modern society.” He cited the institution’s impressive track record, including over 10,750 registered patents, ten Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards, and a Fields Medal. “This gift will ensure that Hebrew University has the resources to meet the high demand for advanced education well into the future,” he added.
Beyond academic excellence, Paulson noted the university’s exceptional productivity and cost-effectiveness. “The cost of a university education at Hebrew University is much less than the cost of a comparable US university. Given its quality and productivity, I can think of no more deserving university for philanthropic support than Hebrew University,” he remarked. The gift also carries a message of international solidarity with Israel, particularly at a “defining moment” for the country. Paulson affirmed, “If there was ever a time to step up and support the country and its institutions, this would be it. As a vibrant, democratic, pluralistic, and advanced economy, we should all be proud of what Israel has accomplished.”
Hebrew University’s Enduring Legacy and Vision
Prof. Tamir Sheafer, President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, lauded Paulson’s contribution as carrying the university’s founding vision into its second century. “Beyond its immense magnitude, this contribution reflects profound philanthropic leadership,” Prof. Sheafer stated. He underscored the gift’s role as “an inspiring beacon to friends and leaders across the global Jewish community—demonstrating the vital importance and enduring impact of investing in Israel’s academic and scientific foundation.”
The university’s global standing is built on over a century of academic excellence. In 2026, the Hebrew University was ranked 89th globally by the Shanghai Ranking. Mount Scopus itself holds profound historical significance; its cornerstone was laid in 1918, seven years before the university formally opened its doors in 1925, fulfilling a vision advanced by luminaries such as Albert Einstein and Sigmund Freud. The renaming of the campus honors this enduring vision, affirming Mount Scopus as a symbol of renewal, resilience, and future-oriented progress.
This historic gift empowers Hebrew University to recruit world-class faculty, support exceptional students, equip cutting-edge laboratories, and translate bold ideas into life-changing breakthroughs. At a moment when Israel and the Jewish world are called upon to imagine and build what comes next, Paulson’s gift stands as a powerful expression of confidence in Israel’s human capital and a partnership in shaping its shared future through knowledge, discovery, and education.
