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March 24, 2006
More spaces needed
New dorm rooms at Hebrew U add to capacity.
VERONIKA STEWART
A new expansion of the residence at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's
main campus is currently under way, but the 1,500 new spaces may
not be enough to house the school's growing population.
"I don't know if it's enough, but it's all they can fund for
now," said Josephine Nadel, co-chair of Canadian Friends of
the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's capital campaign. The campaign
has the aim of raising $1 million for one of the nine new residences,
with the hopes that it will be called Canada House.
"They have existing dorms already, so I think this will be
a big surge and a big help," said Nadel. "I guess for
now, it is enough."
For now, but enrolment at Hebrew U is at an all-time high. Twenty-four
thousand students are divided between the four campuses – three
of them Jerusalem-based – and demand for dormitory space is
on the rise. Seventy per cent of Hebrew U students come from outside
of Jerusalem, which significantly increases the demand for student
housing.
Among the international students are Canadian scholars.
"This year, I think there are about 80 students from Canada,
who attend the Rothberg International School for Overseas Students,"
Nader said. "A lot of students go there for their year abroad.
They strengthen their ties with Judaism and with Israel. It's a
great cultural experience and many leaders in Vancouver today have
studied at Hebrew University."
Constructed with Jerusalem stone, the student village will be located
a 10-minute walk from Mount Scopus Campus, a 10-minute drive from
downtown Jerusalem and a four-minute walk to an indoor sports complex.
The first Israeli university, Hebrew U is ranked among the top 100
universities in the world. It was founded by Albert Einstein, Martin
Buber and Sigmund Freud, opened in 1925 and is in the heart of Jerusalem.
Its alumni contribute greatly to the Israeli economy in industry,
as the heads of major hospitals and as politicians. In the last
two years, the school has boasted four Nobel prize winners and 13
of the 14 Israeli Supreme Court justices among its graduates.
The residence, called Scopus Student Village, is estimated to cost
between $18 and $20 million to build.
To help raise the $1 million needed for the project, CFHU is hosting
a benefit next month.
Honorees Judy and Isaac Thau are major philanthropists in Vancouver
and have been significant supporters of the university, as well
as other Jewish organizations in the city. The gala will also include
guest speaker Dan Gillerman, vice-president of the United Nations
General Assembly.
The gala dinner is on April 2 at the Four Seasons Hotel. For more
information, contact the CFHU office at 604-257-5144.
Veronika Stewart is a student intern with the Independent.
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