After nearly seven years of dedicated service, Ofer Dahan, the founding Executive Director of Bar-Ilan University’s International School, is stepping down. His departure marks the end of an era for the School, which has grown, adapted, and thrived under his leadership. From its inception, Dahan has been at the forefront of establishing the International School as a home for students from all over the world, fostering a culture of inclusivity, innovation, and resilience.
Reflecting on his time at the helm, Dahan credited the International School’s success to the collaborative efforts of a talented team, visionary leadership, and the unwavering support of his colleagues at Bar-Ilan University (BIU), including Prof. Arie Zaban, BIU’s President; Zohar Yinon, CEO; Prof. Moshe Lewenstein, former Deputy President, and Prof. Rachel Dekel, the first Academic Head of the International School, who were instrumental in shaping the strategic plan that guided the School’s development.
“The primary goal was to build an infrastructure to fulfill the strategic plan drafted by Bar-Ilan University’s visionary leaders. Their foresight laid the foundation for everything we’ve achieved,” Dahan explained.
From Vision to Reality
Dahan’s journey began in May 2018, when he was tasked with a bold mission: to establish and grow the International School from scratch. Over the next seven years, he and his team worked tirelessly to turn that vision into a thriving reality.
The official opening of Bar-Ilan University’s International School. L-R: Ofer Dahan, Executive Director; Prof. Moshe Lewenstein, then BIU’s Deputy President; and Prof. Rachel Dekel, former Academic Head
“When I started, there was only one program offered in English—A BA in Communication and Political Studies,” Dahan recalled. “We had to change everything—modernizing the university’s systems to be bilingual, creating diverse academic programs, and shifting the mindset of departments and faculties to accommodate international students. It was a monumental task, but one we approached with determination and creativity.”
Under his leadership, the International School expanded significantly, offering a wide range of programs in English, including a Master’s in Biblical Studies and an International MBA. The School also streamlined the process for international PhD and postdoctoral students, ensuring they felt welcomed and supported. By the time Dahan stepped down, enrollment had grown from fewer than 70 students to over 750, with a peak of 823 students—240 of whom were PhD and postdoctoral researchers.
Ofer Dahan chats to Israel’s President Isaac Herzog at the launch of Bar-Ilan’s Center for Justice Emerging from the Earth, initiated by Faculty of Law Dean, Prof. Michal Alberstein (next to Pres. Herzog)
Dahan attributed much of this success to teamwork and the collective dedication of his colleagues. “This role allowed me to meet and work with a wonderful variety of talented, dedicated, and professional individuals who give their hearts and souls—the people of the International School,” he said. “I vouch for each and every one of them wholeheartedly.”
Overcoming Challenges with Resilience
Dahan’s tenure was not without its challenges. From navigating the complexities of modernizing outdated university systems to responding to global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and local conflicts like the Gaza war, adaptability became a cornerstone of his leadership.
During COVID, Ofer Dahan arranged with Osem, a large food company in Israel, to donate food to Bar-Ilan’s international students who were staying in the dormitories. He collected everything and then distributed it to the students with the help of his team
“Living in Israel, where everything can change by noon, you learn to be flexible and to see opportunities in every challenge,” Dahan reflected. One of his proudest moments came during the pandemic when Bar-Ilan University became the only institution in Israel to charter a plane to bring stranded researchers back from India. “We found quick, efficient solutions to unprecedented challenges,” he said. “That’s what leadership is about—being ready to act, no matter the circumstances.”
Creating a Home Away from Home
For Dahan, the heart of the International School was always its students. Many arrived in Israel feeling out of place, grappling with cultural and linguistic barriers. Dahan made it his mission to ensure they felt welcomed and supported.
“We gave them a sense that this is their home, their family, that we care,” he said. “At the forefront of our efforts were the students who felt foreign in a country with a language of guttural letters, bluntness, and directness. We wanted them to feel that Bar-Ilan was where they belonged.”
Acknowledging the Builders of Success
In his farewell, Dahan expressed deep gratitude to the individuals who had been integral to the International School’s success, mentioning each one by name. He singled out Prof. Moshe Lewenstein and Prof. Rachel Dekel for their visionary leadership and guidance. “Working alongside Moshe and Racheli, as well as others like Arie and Zohar, was an honor,” he said. “Their commitment to advancing the university and pushing it to new heights is truly inspiring.”
On a trip to meet their counterparts at universities in Tbilisi, Georgia, in September 2024. L-R: Prof. Eitan Okun, BIU’s Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center; Yael Toledano, former Director of International Relations (International School); Zohar Yinon, BIU CEO; Prof. Rivka Tuval Mashiach, then Academic Head (International School); Prof. Moshe Lewenstein, then BIU Deputy President; and Ofer Dahan, Executive Director (International School)
The Legacy of a Trailblazer
For Dahan, stepping down is not an end but a transition. “I love being an innovator, breaking new ground, making a big impact, starting from scratch, and paving the way,” he said. “I feel I’ve truly done this with the International School. It’s time for someone new to take it even further.”
The International School team and others from the university at the farewell event for Yael Toledano, then Director of International Relations at BIU’s International School (in blue), in September 2024. Ofer Dahan is kneeling in front
He expressed confidence in the International School’s future under the leadership of Prof. Rivka Tuval Mashiach, BIU’s new VP for International Affairs and the Third Mission and second (now former) Academic Head of the International School. “Under Rivka, who brings new and different realms of content, I have no doubt the International School will see great success,” he said.
Looking Ahead
As for his future, Dahan is ready to embrace new adventures and opportunities. “I’m going to see the Aurora Borealis in Iceland, volunteer with NGOs in Israel, and continue managing the Honda Africa Twin Motorcycle Club,” he shared with a smile. “And, of course, I’ll spend more time with my granddaughter.”
Ofer Dahan attended the European Association for International Education (EAIE) Conference in Toulouse, France, with colleagues from the International School in September 2024. L-R: Christin Handrek from Brandenburg University of Technology in Cottbus-Senftenberg with Daniel Schuval, Ofer Dahan, and Oz Naker from Bar-Ilan
Reflecting on his time at Bar-Ilan, he shared a piece of advice for his successor: “Be open to change. Everything is possible. Bring new ideas, understand the changes around you, and see the opportunities they present.”
Parting Words of Wisdom
In his farewell speech, Dahan quoted Guillaume Apollinaire to encapsulate his philosophy and the culture he cultivated at the International School:
“Come to the edge,” he said. They said, “We are afraid.” “Come to the edge,” he said. They came. He pushed them. And they flew.”
For Ofer Dahan, the edge was never a place to fear but an opportunity to soar. His legacy at Bar-Ilan University’s International School is one of vision, resilience, and boundless possibility. As he steps into the next chapter of his life, Dahan leaves behind a community inspired to continue soaring—together.
