Billionaire John Paulson Donates Record $250 Million to Hebrew University

American philanthropist and investor John Paulson announced a historic donation of $250 million to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem during a gala event for the university's board of trustees. This marks the largest gift the university has ever received. The funds are designated for the establishment of a new engineering faculty, the expansion of medical and biomedical research, and the advancement of trauma and post-trauma research and treatment. In recognition of this significant contribution, the university's historic Mount Scopus campus will be named the "Alina and John Paulson Campus, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem." This donation follows Paulson's previous contributions to the university in computer science and electrical engineering.

"This donation enhances our ability to recruit world-class faculty, support outstanding students, equip laboratories with cutting-edge technology, and transform bold ideas into life-changing breakthroughs," stated Hebrew University President Prof. Tamir Sheafer. He added, "This is much more than a historic philanthropic act, it is a profound expression of confidence in Israel's human capital."

Paulson, the founder of his namesake hedge fund, is known for amassing his fortune by being among the few who bet against the American mortgage market during the 2008 crisis, earning his fund approximately $15 billion and himself $4 billion personally. He has a history of philanthropic donations to higher education institutions, including a nearly $400 million gift to Harvard University a decade ago, which was then the largest ever received by that institution.

In an exclusive interview, Paulson explained his decision to direct his philanthropy toward Israeli institutions, stating, "I made a decision to shift my philanthropy towards Jewish causes in general, and to Israel in particular. Israel is currently facing many challenges. There is anti-Israel sentiment and rising antisemitism globally. I decided it is very important to show support for Israel, and a wonderful way to do that is by supporting the leading university in Israel."

Paulson also acknowledged the challenges of integrating the Haredi and Arab sectors into higher education in Israel. He expressed his discussions with the university about expanding university education for the Haredi sector, noting the vast intellectual resources within the community. He believes that integrating Haredi individuals into general studies would significantly increase Israel's knowledge base and productive capacity. He cited the example of Descartes, a company founded by three young men, one of whom is Haredi, who met in the army, potentially in Unit 8200, and is reportedly being acquired by Amazon for $7 billion, as evidence of the importance of connecting the Haredi community to the Israeli economy and business sector.