November 21, 2021
Dear members of the Hebrew University community,
The University is in the midst of extensive development, which is reflected in an increase in the number of academic staff and students, and a significant increase in investment in infrastructure. The University’s administration is working to deepen our economic stability and increase the sources of funding for academic activities. In this context, the University and the Israel Land Authority have agreed to a significant deal for the development of University's land areas. These land areas (the majority of which are near the Mount Scopus campus, and the minority of which are near the Edmond J. Safra campus on Givat Ram) will be developed for residential, employment and commercial use.
The agreement, which was signed today, is expected to yield several benefits: the University’s income will be transferred to the University's endowment, and the yield, worth tens of millions of NIS a year, will be used to fund expansion of the University's research and teaching activities. Additionally, the deal is expected to lead to extensive development of the area near the Mount Scopus campus and to increase the supply of apartments in Jerusalem.
As part of the agreement, the designation of the following lands will be changed: near the Mount Scopus campus, the Bronfman (Idelson) dormitory complex; areas around the Lerner Family Sports Center; the “Lower Reznick” dormitory complex; and the “Arazim” field (the parking lot outside Grass Gate, near Hadassah Hospital on Mount Scopus). Additionally, near the Safra campus, land designations will be changed for the parking lot that is currently used by the Cosell Sports Center and the parking lot that is used by the JDC.
The University has been working for some time to advance the construction of dormitories that will replace the old ones on Mount Scopus. As part of the deal, instead of about a thousand dormitories in the Bronfman and Reznick complexes on Mount Scopus, a new dormitory complex, with about 900 rooms will be built on the Safra campus, and about 400 new dormitories will be added on the Ein Kerem campus. A staff housing complex with 90 apartments will also be built on the Safra campus, for the use of the young faculty who will be recruited to the University in the coming years. The sports centers on the Mount Scopus and Safra campuses will continue to operate as usual, and alternative parking spaces will be prepared for them.
The University's administration, together with the staff of the Hebrew University Assets Company, headed by CEO Rotem Revivi, have been working for nearly three years to advance this complex agreement. The deal, which guarantees the University a fair return, will considerably strengthen the University’s resilience and economic stability, and will provide an important financial source for the development of our academic activities.
Sincerely,
Prof. Asher Cohen, President
Prof. Barak Medina, Rector
Mr. Yishai Fraenkel, Vice President and Director General