On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, Reichman University celebrated its graduation ceremony, conferring degrees to approximately 2,500 students across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. This joyous occasion drew nearly 9,000 attendees to the university’s Herzliya campus, as students, faculty, families, and friends gathered to commemorate the culmination of years of academic diligence and personal growth.
Roughly 1,800 students received undergraduate degrees, and around 650 earned graduate or doctoral diplomas. Many of this year’s graduates had balanced their studies with lengthy periods of reserve military service. “The university supported me throughout the war, enabling me to continue my studies while serving,” said 28-year-old Gavriel Amati, who completed a degree in entrepreneurship and business.
Originally from Italy, Amati made aliyah in 2016 and has served close to 350 days of reserve duty since October 7. “The university has become even more responsive and flexible in accommodating students who serve in the reserves.”
Approximately 30% of the graduating class this year consists of students from the Raphael Recanati International School (RRIS), hailing from 90 different countries. Reichman University stands as Israel's largest international academic institution, and its English-language degree programs are continuing to expand, even in the face of wartime challenges.
“For Zionist reasons, we established the largest academic degree program in Israel taught in English,” said Prof. Uriel Reichman, founding president and chairman of the board. “Over the years, the international program has become the country’s leading academic absorption center. More than half of its graduates choose to remain in Israel. In light of the current wave of antisemitism worldwide, we are doing our utmost to meet the growing number of requests to join our international program.”
Over 300 RRIS students served as lone soldiers during the war. Many will remain in Israel, while others return home as informal ambassadors of Israeli society and values.
Prof. Boaz Ganor, the university’s president, addressed graduates with a powerful call to action: “Never before has our country so urgently needed a new generation of leaders - intelligent, honest, motivated, patriotic individuals with a deep love for their people. You reflect the very best of this remarkable generation that, like a phoenix, rose in times of adversity. Lead in every sector: political, social, public, and business, but never lose sight of your conscience, your Zionist and humanist values, and your place in the chain of generations.”
Mayor of Herzliya Yariv Fisher, himself a Reichman alumnus, also spoke. “I still have hope, because I see you. You took responsibility for your future, for our future. When war broke out, you were the first to volunteer, to fight, to support. You are the people who hold the future of this country in your hands.”
The ceremony began with the national anthem, Hatikvah, and included a call for the return of the 55 hostages still held in Gaza. The stage was shared by senior university leaders, including Chancellor Oudi Recanati, Provost Prof. Amnon Lehavi, and CEO Dr. Ayelet Ben Ezer Gelbrad.