When one of Miami’s Jewish philanthropists donated one billion shekels to Bar-Ilan University, he likely never imagined that his gift would echo across the entire landscape of Israeli higher education.
In a significant vote of confidence in the university’s mission and potential, he chose Bar-Ilan from among many worthy institutions in Israel and abroad because he believed it offered the most impactful investment in strengthening Israel’s technological resilience, rooted in a long-standing tradition of critical thinking and Israeli ingenuity, and driven by a clear mission of social responsibility.
As someone who has served in all four of Israel’s national institutions, I was awed to see how a single historic investment by one anonymous donor not only transformed the university but also had a far-reaching impact on Israeli society and the Jewish people worldwide.
Bucking the trend
Even before that signal boost, Bar-Ilan showed unmistakable growth across every measure: in recent years, research output has climbed, enrollment has surged, and infrastructure has been significantly upgraded on its campuses in Ramat Gan and Safed. This generous donation accelerated the already well-underway transformation of Bar-Ilan University, initiated and led by its President Prof. Arie Zaban.
When the university received the "billion from Miami," it was quick to capitalize on the opportunity and successfully attracted nearly 100 outstanding scientists to return to Israel from abroad, at a time when the term "brain drain" had become a frightening reality in Israeli academia. Bucking the trend, Bar-Ilan University is continuing to lead in bringing back researchers and scholars.
Accelerated growth
Recently, CBS officially recognized Bar-Ilan as Israel’s second-largest university, with 22,000 students from a wide range of backgrounds — a critical mass that enables the development of major research centers and nationwide training programs.
But the strength of research universities like Bar-Ilan lies not merely in educating students from across the country, but in their ability to integrate academic disciplines, co-develop solutions with industry, and train high-caliber professionals in the fields the state needs most. The combination of quality teaching, bold research, and a robust social impact arm centered on resilience and community engagement, all anchored in a clear sense of purpose, has made Bar-Ilan the fastest-growing university in Israel.
Students and candidates attest to Bar-Ilan’s rising stature: public opinion surveys now rank it among the top three most sought-after universities in the country. In addition to the generous 2024 donation, the university’s dramatic growth and strengthened international standing are also the result of strategic decision-making and steady leadership under Prof. Zaban, reflected in the launch of new research areas, significant improvements in research quality, a strong emphasis on excellence in both teaching and research, and the successful recruitment of scientists returning to Israel.
A role model for strategic philanthropy
This gift reshaped Israeli academia because it enabled Bar-Ilan to accelerate growth at a scale no other university matched in recent years. This unprecedented momentum created a new model of what strategic philanthropic investment can achieve in higher education, raising expectations for innovation, competitiveness and national contribution across the entire academic system.
The highest commendation Bar-Ilan has received for its deep commitment to national resilience is the 2025 Minister of Defense’s Award of Recognition (Magen Sar HaBitahon), granted for the university’s exceptional support of reservist students during a challenging academic year. Approximately 30% of Bar-Ilan students have served more than 100 days since the outbreak of the war and benefited from academic protective measures that enabled them to withstand the demands of service and still succeed in their studies. In one exemplary moment, Bar-Ilan representatives even traveled into the war zone to award an MD degree to a graduate serving on reserve duty.
“The Billion from Miami” may sound like the beginning of a fairy tale, but in practical terms it set in motion one of the most significant strategic shifts in recent years. Bar-Ilan transformed this mega-donation into a force multiplier, with ripple effects already felt nationwide.
About the author:
Ronnie Vinnikov is Vice President of Development at Bar-Ilan University.