NEW YORK (Press Release)– In response to an urgent request from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev’s president, Prof. Rivka Carmi, American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (AABGU) raised $1 million for a “Wartime Assistance for Students” fund to help those who served in Operation Protective Edge, volunteered in the community or were otherwise affected by the war.
During Operation Protective Edge this summer, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) was forced to close its campus to students for more than 50 days due to sustained missile attacks from Gaza. As many as 2,000 students, faculty and staff were deployed both in and around the Gaza Strip. Exams were canceled and many students lost the opportunity to earn needed income over the summer.
These students would have faced unanticipated financial need, creating additional stress and strain on themselves and their war weary families. AABGU has transferred $1million to BGU and the fund is now providing special scholarship assistance as the fall semester begins this week.
“BGU students served in combat units in larger numbers than any other Israeli university,” explains Lloyd Goldman, president of AABGU. “We needed assure these students that the American Associates has their backs and that they can focus on their studies without concern over lost income sacrificed in the service of their country.”
Typical of the community spirit at BGU, hundreds of students stayed in Beer-Sheva — facing constant sirens and missile threats — to volunteer, providing support and assistance to people in need throughout the city and the surrounding communities. The University also set up a special day care program on campus to provide extra support for faculty and staff without other recourse.
While BGU remained open to administrators, researchers and faculty, their work was compromised by the round-the-clock sirens and movement back and forth to the shelters, as well as by their unrelenting concerns about siblings, fathers and friends called to active duty.
“We are honored to provide the much needed scholarship funds to these students and are grateful for the support of our friends throughout the United States who made it possible,” says AABGU’s executive vice president, Doron Krakow.
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Preceding provided by American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev