American investor and philanthropist John Paulson announced a $296 million donation to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on Saturday evening, marking the largest contribution in the institution's history.
The donation will support several of the university's major strategic priorities, including the establishment of a new Faculty of Engineering, expansion of medical and biomedical research, and advances in research and treatment related to trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In recognition of the historic contribution, the university's Mount Scopus campus in Jerusalem will be renamed the Alina and John Paulson Campus, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, in honor of the philanthropist and his wife.
"Israel, a country of just 10 million people, has amazed the world with its scientific and technological achievements," said Paulson, founder and chairman of the Paulson Family Foundation. "As Israel's leading university, the Hebrew University has provided generations of students with the highest standards of higher education."
"Founded in 1925 on the basis of Albert Einstein's vision, the Hebrew University was established in the belief that education, particularly scientific education, would form the foundation of a modern society," Paulson continued.
"Since its establishment, the university has registered more than 10,750 patents, and its groundbreaking contributions have been recognized with prestigious international awards and honors, including 10 Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards, a Fields Medal and many other prestigious prizes."
Paulson added that the contribution would ensure the university had the resources necessary to continue meeting strong demand for advanced education well into the future.
Hebrew University President Prof. Tamir Sheafer welcomed the donation, describing it as an extraordinary investment in the institution's future and Israel's scientific and academic infrastructure.
"More than 100 years ago, the Hebrew University was founded on Mount Scopus based on a powerful idea: In a place where history had known destruction, the Jewish people would build a future through knowledge, discovery and education," Sheafer said.
"John Paulson's extraordinary gift carries that vision forward into our second century. Beyond its enormous scale, this donation reflects profound philanthropic leadership."
"At this challenging time, Paulson's support serves as an inspiring beacon to friends and leaders throughout the global Jewish community, demonstrating the vital importance and lasting impact of investing in Israel's academic and scientific infrastructure," he added.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
(Photo: OPIS Zagreb / Shutterstock)
According to Sheafer, a central portion of the donation will be allocated to establishing the university's new Faculty of Engineering, while another substantial share will support the expansion of medical and biomedical research and education.
The funding will also advance research into rehabilitation following trauma and coping with post-traumatic stress. In addition, it will support the establishment of a new think tank focused on public and community impact, bringing the university's academic knowledge and expertise into closer alignment with urgent public needs in Israel and abroad.
The historic contribution builds on previous donations from the Paulson Family Foundation to the university's engineering and computer science infrastructure, including the Paulson Bar-El Building for Computer Science and Engineering and the John Paulson Building for Electrical Engineering at the Edmond J. Safra Campus.
First published: 21:30, 10.17.26