developing· Culture· Updated 22:02

Billionaire John Paulson Donates Record $250 Million to Hebrew University

American investor and philanthropist John Paulson has donated a record $250 million to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, marking the largest single donation in the institution's history and one of the largest ever made in Israel. The historic contribution was announced on Saturday evening, October 17, 2026, during a gala event for the university's board of trustees in Jerusalem.

11 newsrooms · 3 languages · since 20:49

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Billionaire John Paulson Donates Record $250 Million to Hebrew University — Illustration by baba

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What happened

01American billionaire John Paulson donated a record $250 million to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the largest gift in its history.
02The historic donation will fund a new Faculty of Engineering and expand medical, biomedical, and trauma research.
03The university's Mount Scopus campus will be renamed the Alina and John Paulson Campus in recognition of the gift.
04Kikar HaShabbat reported the donor was anonymous and that the Mount Scopus campus would be renamed the William Davidson Campus.
05The new funds will also establish a think tank to translate academic research into public impact.
06This contribution brings the Paulson family's total cumulative support for the Hebrew University to approximately $296 million.
07Paulson cited solidarity with Israel and rising global antisemitism as key motivations for his historic donation.

The funds are designated for several strategic initiatives, including the establishment of a new Faculty of Engineering, the expansion of medical and biomedical research, and the advancement of research and treatment for trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder. A portion of the donation will also fund a new think tank aimed at bridging academic knowledge with public needs.

In recognition of the monumental gift, the university's historic Mount Scopus campus will be renamed the "Alina and John Paulson Campus, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem". Kikar HaShabbat, which reported the donor as an anonymous American billionaire, stated the campus would be renamed the William Davidson Campus.

This latest contribution brings the Paulson Family Foundation's total cumulative support for the Hebrew University to approximately $296 million, following previous donations for computer science and electrical engineering infrastructure. Paulson stated his donation is an expression of international solidarity with Israel and its scientific achievements, and a response to rising global antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment on university campuses.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 11 newsrooms. Updated 22:11

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