Businessman John Paulson Donates Record $250 Million to Hebrew University

By מיכל מרנץ

Translated & summarized from Davar by baba

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Hebrew · 13 newsrooms covering

American businessman John Paulson has donated a record $250 million to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The funds will establish a new engineering faculty, expand medical research, and advance trauma studies. Paulson called the university "among the most academically productive institutions in the world" and expressed solidarity with Israel. The donation is the largest in the university's history.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Businessman John Paulson donated a record $250 million to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
The donation is the largest single gift in the university's history.
The funds will establish a new engineering faculty and expand medical and trauma research.
The Mount Scopus campus will be renamed the "Alina and John Paulson Campus."
Paulson cited the university's academic productivity and expressed solidarity with Israel.

Businessman John Paulson Donates Record $250 Million to Hebrew University — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem announced Saturday night that American businessman John Paulson has donated $250 million to the institution, marking the largest single donation in its history. Paulson announced the gift at a gala event for the university's Board of Governors. In recognition of the donation, the Mount Scopus campus will be named "The Alina and John Paulson Campus, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem."

The funds will be allocated to three primary areas: establishing a new engineering faculty to enhance interdisciplinary connections between engineering, computer science, medicine, and life sciences; expanding research and training in medicine and biomedicine, including AI-based medical training models; and advancing research, rehabilitation, and treatment for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, while bridging academic knowledge with societal needs.

Paulson stated, "The Hebrew University is among the most academically productive institutions in the world. The cost of academic studies at the Hebrew University is significantly lower than at comparable universities in the United States. Given its academic quality and output, I cannot think of a more worthy university for philanthropic support than the Hebrew University." He added that the donation also expresses international support and solidarity with Israel, which faces immense challenges in defending itself.

Paulson, founder and CEO of the hedge fund Paulson & Co., amassed significant wealth following the 2008 financial crisis by betting against the U.S. housing market. He is known for his academic donations, including a previous $400 million gift to Harvard University. He has also contributed to Donald Trump's campaigns and previously served as one of his economic advisors.