Israeli Professor Wins Prestigious Dirac Medal; Soldier's Electricity Debt Paid by Stranger on Train

Professor Haim Sompolinsky of the Hebrew University has been awarded the 2026 Dirac Medal for groundbreaking research at the intersection of physics, neuroscience, and artificial intelligence. The Dirac Medal, named after Nobel laureate Paul Dirac, is one of the highest honors in theoretical physics, recognizing exceptional contributions to understanding natural laws. Sompolinsky’s achievement carries a poignant family legacy, as he is the son of the late David Sompolinsky, a Danish resistance leader who saved hundreds of Jews during the Holocaust.

In a separate story of kindness, a young Israeli soldier returning from base faced a personal crisis on a train from Lod station. She was on a call with the electric company, trying to prevent her home’s electricity from being cut off due to unpaid bills. The soldier, an only child of a single mother with disabilities, was distraught after the power was disconnected despite her pleas to wait for an upcoming social benefit payment. A fellow passenger, Ofir Yitzhak, overheard her conversation and anonymously paid her electricity debt of approximately 1,950 shekels. He also provided her with payment confirmation, offering relief and support during a difficult moment.

Meanwhile, at the Gaza border, 25 paratroopers received pairs of tefillin from the "Ezer LaChayal" organization, donated by the Naelken family from the United States. Each soldier committed to donning tefillin daily, embracing a spiritual practice amid challenging conditions. Eliyahu Gutman of Ezer LaChayal described the event as inspiring, highlighting the soldiers’ gratitude and the educational values fostering unity and resilience within the Israeli Defense Forces.