Dearest friends and colleagues across the globe,

As we enter 2026, I would like to extend our warmest wishes for health, stability, and renewed hope. As my term as Dean concluded at the end of September, I am deeply grateful for the privilege of having served our faculty, and I extend my warmest wishes to my successor, Prof. Elisheva Baumgarten, under whose leadership I am confident the faculty will continue to thrive.

The turn of the year always invites reflection, not only on what we have endured, but on what we hope to build together. Through teaching and research, our faculty and students continue to engage deeply with the questions that shape our shared future — questions of identity, memory, ethics, creativity, and coexistence. Grounded in the past and attentive to the present, we move into the new year with a sense of purpose and possibility.

The stories featured in this issue reflect this spirit, while highlighting the creativity, vitality, and impact of our work. The Artists Program brings Israeli artists and international scholars together to spark new ideas and conversations, while a scholarly reunion unites former classmates — now distinguished ERC grant recipients — with their middle-school teacher, highlighting the enduring bonds of learning and mentorship. You’ll also read about our students’ advanced training in Arabic dialectology through a collaborative summer workshop in Berlin, and the inspiring work of the Center for Jewish Art, home to the world’s largest digital archive of Jewish culture.

Together, these stories remind us that, even in challenging times, the humanities help strengthen human connection and lay the groundwork for a more thoughtful future.

I wish to thank you — our readers and friends around the globe — for your ongoing interest, support, and partnership.

Most sincerely,
Prof. Nissim Otmazgin
Pro-Dean, Faculty of Humanities