Via the Tzemach David Foundation, philanthropist David Magerman has made a $1,000,000 five-year investment in Tel Aviv University. The new funding will initially support a program for non-Hebrew-speaking students to learn academic Hebrew and integrate into STEM degree programs.
Magerman, a data scientist and venture capitalist, publicly pulled his donations from the University of Pennsylvania over its handling of campus-wide antisemitism last year. He has subsequently pledged support to five Israeli universities to help English-speaking students immerse themselves into Israeli society and the business ecosystem.
“I am pleased to be partnering with TAU and to be able to provide more choices for students to study in Israel. I hope that by redirecting my gift to Israeli institutions and education I will be a catalyst for others to do the same,” said Magerman. “I am very much looking forward to funding programs that will enable students to learn Hebrew and better integrate into Israeli society.”
TAU and its Lowy International School look forward to working with the Tzemach David Foundation to develop and grow a support system for matriculating non-Hebrew-speaking students. In its inaugural year, student interests and needs will be tracked and addressed to inform and expand the program offerings in future years.
The donation is part of the Tzemach David Foundation’s mission to create crucial, meaningful change through Zionism, leadership and innovation. Magerman believes that strengthening Israel’s ecosystem through education is the most critical way to impact Israel’s future.
“We are grateful for the partnership with the Tzemach David Foundation,” said Maureen Meyer Adiri, director of the Lowy International School. “We are impressed with David’s vision of supporting university students throughout Israel. This incredibly generous gift will enable non-Hebrew-speaking students to graduate with a degree from TAU, one of Israel’s leading universities.”
