Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Home
Canada
Toronto, ON
Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Canadian Friends of The Hebrew University (CFHU) promotes awareness, leadership & financial support Visit www.cfhu.org.

Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (CFHU), founded in 1944 by Canadian philanthropist Allan Bronfman, promotes awareness, leadership and financial support for The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. CFHU facilitates academic and research partnerships between Canada and Israel as well as establishing scholarships, supporting research, cultivating student and faculty exchanges and recruiting Canadian students to attend the Rothberg International School. CFHU has chapters in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, founded in 1918 and opened in 1925, is Israel's leading university. Albert Einstein, Martin Buber, and Sigmund Freud, were among the university's founders, they were thinkers and visionaries whose genius inspired a university that would have no limits or borders. Ranked as one of the world's leading research universities (ranked 3rd in Asia and 70th globally), HU lies at the forefront of the international academic and scientific communities. Many top prizes and awards have been won by its graduates and faculty including eight Nobel Prizes, and the Fields Medal in Mathematics. The Hebrew University is a pluralistic institution where science and knowledge are advanced for the benefit of humankind in an atmosphere free of discrimination and prejudice.

09/25/2026

As Sukkot begins, we wish everyone celebrating a joyful and meaningful holiday.
Sukkot is a time to gather with family and friends, celebrate gratitude, and reflect on the blessings of community and togetherness. May this season bring warmth, peace, and happy moments shared with those you love.
Chag Sukkot Sameach! 🍋🌿

09/24/2026

What does it mean to rebuild?

At The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, it means bringing learning into the heart of the communities that need it most.

This summer, 25 students traded traditional classrooms for Kibbutz Sufa in Israel's Gaza border region, where they spent their mornings volunteering alongside farmers and supporting early childhood education programs before studying how education can help societies recover from crisis.

The unique program reflects Hebrew University's belief that academic excellence is strongest when it's paired with action, compassion, and community. Students described the experience as life-changing—an opportunity to learn not just from textbooks, but from the people living through the realities of rebuilding.

It's a powerful reminder that the next generation of leaders isn't only shaped by what they study, but by how they choose to serve.

09/23/2026

What happens when food charities become the backbone of food security?
A new study from researchers at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has produced the first comprehensive mapping of Israel's philanthropic food-aid network, revealing both the remarkable strength of civil society and the challenges that come with relying on charity to meet a growing need.

The research identified more than 2,200 food-aid organizations, supported by over 170,000 volunteers, yet found significant gaps in data, coordination, and equitable access to food assistance. The findings raise an important question for countries around the world: how can charitable efforts and public policy work together to ensure everyone has access to healthy food?

At Hebrew University, research doesn't just identify problems—it helps shape smarter solutions for healthier, more resilient communities.
Read more: https://www.cfhu.org/news/as-charitable-food-aid-expands-new-hebrew-university-study-raises-questions-for-food-security-policy/

09/22/2026

What if protecting your mental health isn't about unplugging completely—but about finding more purpose?

New research from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem followed nearly 3,000 Israeli adults living through prolonged wartime stress and found something remarkable: the strongest predictors of better mental health weren't simply spending less time online—they were having a greater sense of meaning and purpose in life, healthier digital habits, and less exposure to harmful online content.

The study also found that people with stronger religious or spiritual engagement tended to report fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction—not because of faith alone, but because it was associated with purpose-driven living and healthier daily habits.

In a world of endless notifications and doomscrolling, this research is a powerful reminder that resilience isn't built by disconnecting from life—it's built by connecting more deeply to what gives life meaning.

09/20/2026

Wishing our students, staff, alumni and friends around the globe a Gmar Chatima Tova.
May you have a meaningful day of reflection.

09/18/2026

As Yom Kippur approaches, we extend our warmest wishes to all who will be observing. May this sacred day bring reflection, peace, forgiveness, and a meaningful year ahead.
G'mar Chatimah Tovah, and Shabbat shalom.
www.cfhu.org

09/17/2026

When a city holds over 3,000 years of history, breaking into the global top 10 for culture and history feels almost natural.

According to the new Yanolja Attractiveness Index, developed in collaboration with researchers from Purdue University and Kyung Hee University, Jerusalem placed in the top 50 overall tourism cities worldwide, while ranking 10th in the Culture and History category. The index analyzed global social big data across 14 languages to evaluate how travelers experience and discuss iconic destinations.

For students and researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, this setting is an everyday reality. Living and learning in Jerusalem means being constantly surrounded by deep historical heritage while actively building the future of academic discovery.

09/16/2026

Yalla! Come join us already!

09/15/2026

What if the future of drought-resistant crops comes down to one simple thing: timing?
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered a daily “golden hour” in tomato plants—a brief early-morning window when plants maximize photosynthesis while minimizing water loss. Instead of focusing only on how much water plants use, this breakthrough reveals that when they use it could be the key to helping crops withstand heatwaves and drought without sacrificing yields.
As climate change puts increasing pressure on agriculture around the world, this kind of innovative research has the potential to help breeders develop stronger, more resilient crops faster than ever before.
It's another powerful example of how Hebrew University researchers are tackling global challenges with discoveries that could improve lives far beyond the laboratory. 🍅🌱
www.cfhu.org

09/14/2026

At the center of every Rosh Hashanah table sits the pomegranate, a traditional symbol of abundance, opportunities, and wisdom.
At the Rothberg International School, this symbolism greets our community every day. Standing in the courtyard is a kinetic sculpture titled "Olam U'Mlo'o" ("The Whole World"), created by Israeli artist David Gerstein.

We asked David about the vision behind the piece:
"The thought was to combine the image of Earth and the pomegranate fruit, recognized in Jewish tradition as a symbol of wisdom. Therefore, at the upper edge of the globe, I designed a crown like that of a pomegranate. Inside the hollow body, I created an axis with arms to the sides, at the ends of which are round plates painted with concentric circles simulating points of dwellings across Earth. Alternatively, these could resemble the pomegranate seeds inside the fruit."

Wishing our entire community a wonderful year, full of knowledge and opportunities.

Address

4950 Yonge Street Suite 1202
Toronto, ON
M2N6K1

Telephone

+14164858000

Website

http://www.cfhu.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Featured

Escuela de idiomas Hispano Americano
Toronto Academy of Acting for Film and Televi
866 The Queensway