John Paulson Announces Historic $250 Million Donation to Hebrew University
American philanthropist John Paulson has announced a historic $250 million donation to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, funding a new engineering faculty and trauma research.
American billionaire philanthropist and hedge fund manager John Paulson has announced a historic $250 million donation to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, marking the largest contribution ever received by the institution. The announcement was made during the annual Board of Governors gala.
Expanding Engineering and Trauma Research
The substantial funds will be directed toward establishing a new faculty of engineering, significantly expanding medical and biomedical activities, and advancing crucial research and treatment in trauma and post-trauma care. In recognition of this unprecedented generosity, the university's historic Mount Scopus campus will be officially renamed the "Alina and John Paulson Campus, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem."
This new gift builds upon Paulson's previous philanthropic support for the university's computer science and electrical engineering departments. "This donation empowers our ability to recruit world-class faculty, support outstanding students, equip cutting-edge laboratories, and turn bold ideas into life-changing breakthroughs," stated Prof. Tamir Sheafer, president of the Hebrew University.
"This is much more than a historic philanthropic act – it is a profound expression of confidence in Israel's human capital," Prof. Sheafer added.
Strategic Philanthropy and Integration
Paulson, founder of Paulson & Co., famously generated immense wealth by betting against the U.S. mortgage market prior to the 2008 financial crisis. Over his career, he has directed massive donations to higher education, including a landmark $400 million gift to Harvard University a decade ago.
In an interview, Paulson explained his decision to pivot his philanthropic focus toward Jewish causes and Israel amidst rising global antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment. He also emphasized the economic importance of integrating the ultra-Orthodox community into higher education and the high-tech workforce, pointing to recent local tech successes.
