Past Presidents of the University

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Prof. Menahem Ben-Sasson

President in 2009-2017

Prof. Menachem Ben Sasson (born on July 7, 1951) is an emeritus professor of history of the Israeli people.  He is currently serving as the Chancellor of the University. Prior to his current position, Prof. Ben-Sasson served as the President as well as the Rector. In addition, he served as a member of the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament) and as Head of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee of the 17th Knesset.

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Prof. Menachem Magidor

President in 1997-2009

Prof. Menachem Magidor (born on January 24, 1946) is an Israeli mathematician, and emeritus Professor of Mathematics, Dean of the Faculty of Science from 1992 – 1996 and then President of the University.

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Prof. Hanoch Gutfreund

President in 1992-1997

Prof. Hanoch Gutfreund (born in 1935) is an Israeli physicist and an emeritus Professor of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Prior to serving as the President of the University (1992-1997), he served as the Rector (1991-1992). He is currently serving as Director of the Einstein Center and as head of the executive committee of The Israel Science Foundation.

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Prof. Yoram Ben-Porat

President in 1990-1992

Prof. Yoram Ben-Porat (October 18, 1937 – 1992) was an Israeli economist and a Professor of Economy at the Hebrew University. Prof. Ben-Porat served as the Rector of the University prior to serving as the President. Additionally, he was the Director of the Falk Institute, as well as President of the Israeli Economic Association.

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Prof. Amnon Pazy

President in 1986-1990

Prof. Amnon Pazy (January 10, 1936 – August 18, 2006) was an Israeli mathematician and Professor of Mathematics at the University. He was a Vice-Rector at 1983-1985, and became the Rector at 1985-1986 during the years of 1986-1990 he was the President of the University and head of the Planning and Budgeting Committee.

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Prof. Dan Patinkin

President in 1983-1986

Prof. Dan Patinkin (January 8, 1922 – August 7, 1995) was an Israeli-American economist and a Professor of Economics. He served as the Rector and President of the University. He was among the leading economists in Israel, and his research has laid the foundation for the economic studies in Israel.

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Dr. Avraham Harman

President in 1968-1983

Dr. Avraham ("Abe") Harman (November 7, 1914 – February 23, 1992) was an Israeli diplomat and served as the Israeli ambassador to the United States.

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Dr. Eliahu Eilat

President in 1962-1968

Dr. Eliahu Eilat (Epstein) (July 16, 1903 – June 21, 1990) was an expert in Middle Eastern affairs, and an Israeli diplomat. He served as the first Israeli ambassador to the United States.

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Prof. Joel Racah

President in 1961-1962

Prof. Joel (Giulio) Racah (February 9, 1909 – August 28, 1965), born in Italy, was an Israeli physicist and Professor to theoretical physics. He served as Rector of the University (1961-1965) and its President (1961-1962). Additionally, he was a member of the Israeli Economic Association. Prof. Racah is a laureate of the Israel Prize in Exact Sciences for the year 1958.

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Prof. Benjamin Mazar

President in 1953-1961

Prof. Benjamin Mazar (Mizler) (June 28, 1906 – September 9, 1995) was an archeologist and a researcher in the field of Judaism. He is regarded as founder of the Israeli branch of biblical archeology.

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Prof. Selig Brodetsky

President in 1949-1952

Prof. Selig (Asher) Brodetsky (February 10, 1888 – May 20, 1954) was a mathematician. He was involved in Zionism and served as head of the Zionist administration office in London.

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Sir Leon Simon

President in 1948-1949

Sir Arie (Leon) Simon (July 11, 1881 – April 27, 1965) was an author a translator. As a British-Jewish Israeli Zionist, he worked at the public service, was among the Zionist leaders in Britain, and aided in the drafting of the Balfour Declaration.

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Dr. Judah Leib Magnes

President in 1925-1948

Dr. Judah Leib Magnes (July 5, 1877 – October 27, 1948) was a Reform Rabbi and a leader of the Reform Community in the United States. He served as the University's Chancellor and as its first President.