Prof. Moshe Lewenstein, Deputy President of Bar-Ilan University, was one of a skeleton staff who came to work every day for the past 18 months, a time when there were often very few people on campus. He opened the International School’s Red Carpet Orientation Day with a popular sentiment.
“For me, it’s a wonderful day, and it’s a wonderful day because it’s the first time in a long time that I’ve come to campus and it’s full of students,” he said. “Walking around today on campus and seeing all the students… we have a full sense of a lot of people being back on campus and coming here (to the event) now. Seeing so many students from different places around the world is also really enjoyable to see, so welcome everybody. It’s a real pleasure to have you all here.
“During the year, we try to celebrate some of this diversity and, hopefully, you’ll take time to enjoy this and make friends from different places – all the way from the Far East to Africa and the Americas – South America, North America. “Try to embrace this and embrace what Bar-Ilan gives you… make the most of it, enjoy it, and welcome,” said Prof. Lewenstein.
Speakers. Top L-R: Prof. Moshe Lewenstein, BIU’s Deputy President; Prof. Nira Mashal, BIU’s Dean of Studens; Nerya Meir, Department of Diaspora Zionist Activities and French Speakers, WZO. Bottom L-R: Ofer Dahan, Executive Director, International School; Prof. Rachel Dekel, Academic Head, International School; Yael Toledano, Director of Academic Visits, International School
International and new immigrant (olim chadashim) students were treated to a “Red Carpet” Orientation Day by Bar-Ilan University’s International School as the new academic year kicked off on Sunday, October 10, 2021. About 100 new students and immigrants (olim) from 63 different countries attended the informative, fun, ‘getting-to-know-you’ event.
The International School had arranged a mini-exhibition, which included an information stand for students to ask questions and register for the different sessions; service stands where they could find information related to their studies, classes, visas, dorms, health insurance; stands providing information on the student association and various clubs for students; and more.
The official opening event included messages from the World Zionist Organization, senior Bar-Ilan officials, and International School representatives who presented information vital for new students.
Yael Toledano, Director of Academic Visits, was the MC and introduced all the speakers.
Our Community is your New Home: Prof. Nira Mashal
Prof. Nira Mashal, BIU’s Dean of Students, was “delighted” to welcome the newcomers to Bar-Ilan University. “You have all come from far and I hope you will find that our community becomes your new home,” she said.
“The timing of this Orientation Day coincides with the 2021 Aliyah Integration Week (for new immigrants) and we are delighted to welcome you, olim, and our international students. I think it takes a special kind of person to embark on an international program, especially in this year of 2021. I hope that the spirit that led you to Bar-Ilan University is also what will ensure your success. I think we all feel privileged to have earned your trust to join our university,” Prof. Mashal said.
“About 21,000 students are studying at Bar-Ilan University. As you face the challenges of the next days, you will see new faces, learn new names, and you will have to become accustomed to academic studying and a new environment. As you try to build a new life, try to remember that you are not alone. You are surrounded by students who are in the same boat as you are. These challenges can be a great opportunity to make new friendships that may last for many years.
“Another thing that I want you to remember is that we are here for you, the Dean of Students’ office, together with the International School, is working on a daily basis to make your stay as successful as possible,” she said.
Your Dream is also Israel’s Dream: Nerya Meir
The World Zionist Organization’s representative, Nerya Meir, who runs the Department of Diaspora Zionist Activities and French Speakers, compared the dream of the Jewish nation’s forebears to the dream of today.
“It’s a special day for you,” he said. “I think university, and especially Bar-Ilan, is a place of dreams and I want to speak with you about dreams,” he said.
“The World Zionist Organization was the first organization in the Jewish nation after 2000 years in exile in the Diaspora. People started dreaming about going back to their homeland in Israel… the place where David Ben Gurion (the primary national founder of the State of Israel and the first Prime Minister) started 100 years ago with the dream of a few people and it became a huge movement, which brought many of our Jewish nation to Israel to establish a wonderful and successful state,” said Meir.
“Some of you, maybe all of you, are part of this dream today. I know that about 50% of you here are olim chadashim and are joining the big dream that was started by the World Zionist Organization 100 years ago, and 50% of you are people who decided to learn here and be part of our dream.
“Israel is not a finished story. It’s something that is always progressing and is always improving, and while you are studying here at Bar-Ilan, you are playing your part in the big picture, the big dream so behatzlacha – good luck,” he said.
A Top-Class, Well-Recognized University: Ofer Dahan
Ofer Dahan, Executive Director of the International School, gave an overview of the university and the services offered by the International School.
“It’s amazing to see all of you here, finally, after all the issues and obstacles we had along the way. For those of you who are newcomers, I have some slides about Bar-Ilan.
“Bar-Ilan is ranked among the top 2% of the best universities in the world, so you are in a very good place. We are in the top 500 out of 23,000 universities around the world. We have over 21,000 students this year, which is a major growth in the number of students, and around 800 international students. We have a very diverse campus representing the diversity of the Israeli society and you’ll see it all around,” he said.
BIU International School staff and student volunteers: Elisheva Vahav, Neta Moallem, Oleg Damidov, Madina Telkhozhayeva, Zvi Swisa, Hadar Giat, and Amit Amsalem
“As you can see, Bar-Ilan has eight faculties. Actually, as of today, we have a ninth faculty – the Faculty of Education – as well as Life Sciences, Medicine, Engineering, Exact Sciences, Humanities, Jewish Studies, Social Sciences, Law. The International School doesn’t teach anything, but we are accumulating English programs, developing new programs all the time along with the faculties and the departments. You can see that we offer undergraduate and graduate degrees. We also have many PhDs and postdocs,” said Dahan.
“Services that you’re going to see today are all hosted under the umbrella we call, ‘One-Stop Shop’, where you’ll find everything you’ll need from Bar-Ilan, from visa, dorms, and health insurance services to academic consulting, Zoom meetings, WhatsApp groups for students, student exchange, and more.
“I wish you a fantastic day. I wish you great success. Welcome to Israel. Welcome to Bar-Ilan University, and welcome to the International School,” he said.
Studying at Bar-Ilan University: Prof. Rachel Dekel
Prof. Rachel Dekel, Academic Head of the International School, welcomed everyone and mentioned her role as a faculty member at the School of Social Work over the past few decades, but focused on her position as Academic Head.
“In this role, I am responsible for scholarships and issues that are related to your studies. You came here to study… so, thank you for choosing Bar-Ilan as your academic school. This year is a special year. This year is different. We are all – as students, as lecturers – coming to school. There is no way to stay abroad or to stay home and learn. You should all have your green cards, be vaccinated, and be on campus. Of course, if there are problems, let us know… But we are all here to study and teach,” she said.
“Studying in Israel is a little bit different. Yes, you are supposed to come to class, you are supposed to come on time, and you’re supposed to participate. There are many, many discussions and many working rooms and many exercises you get to do in small groups… and you need to be engaged. It’s not enough to just come and sit back. Don’t be shy. Israelis are talkative. They talk a lot – and they don’t wait in line to share their opinions! We want to hear you and we want you to participate as well, so please, be engaged.
“One thing that is important for me to say is that if you feel that something is difficult for you, it’s not going the way you were expecting or it’s not clear or you have some personal or family problems… please update the teachers as soon as possible. Why? Because it’s easier for us to help you and consult with you, both academically and personally, when the challenges are small to medium. If you come to us two days before the exams and say to us that you didn’t participate in any of these courses for whatever reason, this will probably be too late,” Prof. Dekel said.
“For everything, there is a ‘completion’ time and if we know about any personal challenge, we can try and help you, and I can assure you that we have helped many, many students. It’s not always easy… but we are really, as a team, trying to do our best to help you as much as we can.
“I wish you all the best with your studies and with your social life, getting to know Israel and getting to know the culture. We look forward to meeting you and seeing you around campus,” she said.
Other Presentations
The second part of the official opening included a presentation on campus security, including emergency services, military operations, COVID-19 regulations, and more by Kobi Bitton, Head of the Security, Safety, and Environmental Department; an overview of the libraries on campus and library services and systems by Dr. Olga Goldin, Director, University Library System; a welcome message with information on student life on campus from Yuval Sagi, the Student Union representative; an overview of the Stand With Us Ambassadors’ Club at BIU by Rotem Benkel; as well as a detailed presentation on important things new students needed to know by Zvi Swisa, the Students’ Academic Advisor at the International School.
Speakers. Top L-R: Kobi Bitton, Head of the Security, Safety, and Environmental Department; Rotem Benkel, The Stand With Us Ambassadors’ Club; Yuval Sagi, Student Union Representative. Bottom L-R: Dr. Olga Goldin, Director, University Library System; Zvi Swisa, Students’ Academic Advisor, International School
After the presentations ended, students were invited to enjoy traditional Israeli food and music and participate in an entertaining and fun drumming session. Prof. Rachel Dekel also held a workshop for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers to provide them with the necessary information and to answer any questions they may have had.
See more photos from the event on our Facebook page. Photos: Shlomi Mizrahi
Prof. Moshe Lewenstein, Deputy President of Bar-Ilan University, was one of a skeleton staff who came to work every day for the past 18 months, a time when there were often very few people on campus. He opened the International School’s Red Carpet Orientation Day with a popular sentiment. “For me, it’s a wonderful day, and it’s a wonderful day because it’s the first time in a long time that I’ve come to campus and it’s full of students.” 
