Every year, distinguished guests from Israel and the Technion visit the U.S. to meet with American Technion Society (ATS) supporters and share news of discoveries and other happenings on the Haifa campus. Adding to the excitement in 2024, ATS recognized the Technion’s centennial with a host of special events.
Some 1,500 ATS supporters and friends nationwide attended 21 signature gatherings at venues as grand as Temple Emanu-El in New York City, as intimate as our donors’ living rooms, and as sobering as Los Angeles’ Museum of Tolerance. Featured speakers and honored guests included former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, and Saul Singer, co-author of “Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle.” Technion executives gave new meaning to the term “frequent flier,” as President Uri Sivan and Vice President for External Relations and Resource Development Wayne Kaplan regularly attended receptions in nearly every region.
ATS supporters have plenty to be proud of on this centennial anniversary. Technion engineers have helped build Israel’s infrastructure, green the desert, and create its high-tech economy. In the 1950s, the Technion launched Israel’s first aerospace faculty, training most of the rocket scientists who went on to become key players in the development of Israel’s aircraft, satellite, and defense systems. “For 100 years, more than 100,000 graduates and thousands of administrative and academic staff have fortified the security, economy, and society of the State of Israel, and continue to shape its future out of a deep commitment and mission,” President Sivan said in July, when the Technion was ranked No. 1 in Israeli academia by the Globes 2024 Brand Index.
ATS centennial events were nonetheless tempered due to the tragedies of October 7. Showing their support for Israel, a group of ATS leaders attended the Solidarity and Science trip to Israel in the spring.
Wayne Kaplan, Technion vice president for external relations and resource development, and Cathy Deutchman, BOD and local member (Detroit) in Los Angeles.
Naftali Bennett and Dr. Fariba Ghodsian ’82, BOD and local board member (Los Angeles) in Los Angeles.
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla and Ronald Lauder at Temple Emanu-El in New York City.
Renowned author Saul Singer (center) and Prof. Lihi Zelnik-Manor (right) in Chicago.
Top photo caption: Gabby Deutch, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, and President Uri Sivan at Temple Emanu-El in New York City.