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Hebrew University of Jerusalem presents an Honorary Fellowship to prominent entrepreneur and Jewish leader Annette Pakula

After years of experience in worldwide jewelry as well as watch product development and manufacturing, Ms. Pakula redirected her skills and co-founded Defense, LLC, a woman- and veteran-owned business that develops defense technology for the U.S. Military and allied combat forces.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem President Professor Asher Cohen (right) presents an Honorary Fellowship to Annette Pakula on June 12, 2023, during the 86th Board of Governors Meeting in Jerusalem. Credit: Bruno Charbit.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem President Professor Asher Cohen (right) presents an Honorary Fellowship to Annette Pakula on June 12, 2023, during the 86th Board of Governors Meeting in Jerusalem. Credit: Bruno Charbit.

 The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) presented an Honorary Fellowship to prominent entrepreneur and Jewish leader Annette Pakula on June 12 during the 86th Board of Governors Meeting in Jerusalem.

After years of experience in worldwide jewelry as well as watch product development and manufacturing, Ms. Pakula redirected her skills and co-founded Defense, LLC, a woman- and veteran-owned business that develops defense technology for the U.S. Military and allied combat forces.

A member of the Hebrew University’s Board of Governors, Ms. Pakula also serves on the Executive Committee and National Board of American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU).

Ms. Pakula recently provided funding for significant equipment in the new HU Center for Computational Medicine. She also carries on her family tradition of charitable engagement and social responsibility through her work with nonprofit organizations that focus on women and children, medical research, healthcare and education.

HU President Professor Asher Cohen presented the Fellowship, “in sincere appreciation for her longstanding friendship and loyalty to the Hebrew University; with gratitude for her commitment to the mission of AFHU in acknowledgment of her magnanimous support of the Center for Computational Medicine; and in recognition of her generous commitment to fostering student success through a perpetual scholarship endowment.”

“I am grateful to receive this honor in the name of my beloved parents Dr. Lawrence & Sheila Pakula who fostered the belief that education was the means to developing one’s greatest abilities and ensured that one’s entrepreneurial spirit blossomed to its fullest potential,” said Ms. Pakula. “Hebrew University embodies these beliefs and has the extraordinary ability to unlock a world of wonderment, enabling all who cross its threshold to move mountains, exceed their dreams, and achieve goals greater than ever imagined.”

About the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. Serving over 23,000 students from 80 countries, the university produces nearly 40% of Israel’s civilian scientific research and has received over 11,000 patents. Faculty and alumni of the Hebrew University have won eight Nobel Prizes and a Fields Medal. For more information about the Hebrew University, visit: http://new.huji.ac.il/en.

About American Friends of the Hebrew University

American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) is a national, not-for-profit organization based in the United States. AFHU is headquartered in New York and has seven regional offices working in close partnership with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. AFHU provides supporters, Hebrew University alumni, and the public with stimulating programs and events and organizes missions to Israel. The organization’s activities support scholarly and scientific achievement at HU, create scholarships, fund new facilities, and assist the university’s efforts to recruit outstanding new faculty. For more information, visit: http://www.afhu.org.

About & contact the publisher
About the Hebrew University of Jerusalem: This year marks 100 years of excellence in research, education, and innovation at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU)—Israel's premier institution of higher learning and a beacon for visionary minds who challenge convention and shape the future. Founded by luminaries like Albert Einstein, who entrusted his intellectual legacy to the University, HU is dedicated to advancing knowledge, cultivating leadership, and promoting diversity. Home to over 23,000 students from 90 countries, the Hebrew University drives much of Israel’s civilian scientific research and the commercialization of technologies through Yissum, its tech transfer company. Faculty and alumni of the University have won nine Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards, and a Fields Medal. For more information about Hebrew University's academic programs, research, and achievements, visit new.huji.ac.il/en.

About American Friends of the Hebrew University: American Friends of the Hebrew University (AFHU) is a national, not-for-profit organization based in the United States. AFHU is headquartered in New York and has seven regional offices working in close partnership with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. AFHU provides supporters, Hebrew University alumni, and the public with stimulating programs and events, and organizes missions to Israel. For the past century, the organization’s activities have supported scholarly and scientific achievement at HU, created scholarships, funded new facilities, and assisted the University’s efforts to recruit outstanding new faculty. For more information, visit www.afhu.org.
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