Hebrew University Receives Record $250 Million Donation from American Billionaire

American Jewish billionaire John Paulson has donated $250 million to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. It is the largest single contribution in the institution's history.

Paulson announced the donation on Saturday evening during the university's Board of Governors gala. The funds will support the development of a new Faculty of Engineering, the expansion of medical and biomedical research, and initiatives focused on trauma and post-traumatic stress recovery.

In recognition of the contribution, the university's historic Mount Scopus campus will be renamed the Alina and John Paulson Campus, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem.

The donation brings Paulson's total contributions to the university to $296 million, following previous investments in its engineering and computer science programs.

A significant portion of the funding will establish a new Faculty of Engineering. It will bring together engineering, computer science, medicine and life sciences. The university hopes the investment will meet growing demand for advanced technological education and strengthen Israel's position in scientific innovation.

The donation will also expand medical education and research, including efforts to increase Israel's healthcare capacity. Additional funding will support research into trauma and post-traumatic stress, areas of particular importance following the October 7 attacks and the subsequent war.

Another portion will help establish a new think tank connecting academic research with pressing social and public policy challenges.

Paulson, founder and chairman of the Paulson Family Foundation, said his decision reflected both his admiration for the university's academic achievements and his desire to demonstrate solidarity with Israel.

"This gift is also meant to show support and international solidarity with Israel," he said.

In an interview with Calcalist, Paulson explained that he had increasingly directed his philanthropic efforts toward Jewish causes and Israeli institutions amid rising antisemitism and hostility toward Israel internationally.

He also emphasized that the donation comes without restrictions, allowing university officials to determine how best to allocate the funds.

Paulson's connection to the university extends back decades. His sister, Theodora Bar-El, moved to Israel in 1968 and chose to study at the Hebrew University despite being accepted to Harvard. Paulson first visited the Mount Scopus campus when he was 13, and several members of his extended family subsequently studied at the institution.

His previous contributions helped finance the Paulson Bar-El Building for Computer Science and Engineering and the John Paulson Building for Electrical Engineering on the university's Edmond J. Safra Campus.

Hebrew University President Professor Tamir Sheafer welcomed the latest donation, saying it would enable the university to recruit leading researchers, support talented students and expand its research facilities.