A MESSAGE FROM BGU CANADA CEO ANDREA FREEDMAN
Dear Friends,
Our hearts are with Israel following last night’s preemptive, strategic, and seemingly successful action to neutralize a growing threat from Iran’s nuclear capabilities. In these uncertain times, we stand in solidarity with the Israeli people and support their right to defend themselves against existential danger.
We are praying fervently for the continued safety of Israel and our BGU family. Now more than ever, we hold Israel close in our thoughts and prayers. I’m sharing with you a poignant message from President Daniel Chamovitz, outlining the university’s preparedness during this challenging moment.
May it be a Shabbat Shalom,
Andrea Freedman
MESSAGE FROM BGU PRESIDENT PROF. DANIEL CHAMOVITZ
Dear Friends,
By now, we all have a sort of Pavlovian relationship with 3:00 a.m.
That’s the hour when, over the past 20 months, the world has most often gone sideways. And true to form, this morning—2:58 a.m. sharp—the sirens started blaring. Israel had launched a large-scale operation against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The message was blunt: Prepare your safe rooms. Brace for impact.
Here we go again.
But this time was different. Not because of the scope or scale of the operation, not because this wasn’t just about the Negev - indeed, it was everyone.
But because at BGU, we weren’t surprised. In the days leading up to the strike, we had told our emergency teams to stay sharp, to reevaluate procedures and readiness. So, when the alerts came, all the campus shelters and dormitory safe rooms were already open and stocked. Quickly we've already switched Sunday’s classes to Zoom. We’d coordinated with Soroka Hospital, offering our shelters as makeshift childcare centers for doctors and staff who still had to show up.
There’s something almost absurd in how routine it’s all become. October 7, 2023. April 13, 2024. October 1, 2024. Now this. Every time, we pivot. Every time, we keep going. Not because we’re heroic. Because we’ve had no other choice.
But here’s the truth: resilience isn't some slogan you hang on a banner. It’s a cold, calculated decision to keep doing your job when everything is falling apart. It’s teaching over Zoom from a safe room. It’s stocking shelters before the missiles fly. It's students being called up for reserves by the thousands but still showing up again and again, ready to learn.
I used to think my job was about planning the future. These days, it feels like my job is making sure there is a future.
And somehow, even now, I still know there is.
Shabbat Shalom,
Danny
p.s. - of course, if needed, I'll update more frequently
Supporting the Vision
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It started with David Ben-Gurion's vision,
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