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November News and Updates from AFRU
Dear Friends, Supporters, and Parents, 
I hope you and your families are all safe and managing through these difficult times. 

Yesterday our office joined the March for Israel in Washington, D.C. It was a beautiful day with almost three hundred thousand people together, despite many obstacles attempting to stop it. There were no arrests, no tearing down American flags, no hateful chants of genocide, just a peaceful gathering of people for humanity.  Our hearts were full of joy to see so much support for Israel and the Jewish people. 

I hope that you will take some time to read through the many activities taking place on the Reichman campus to assist in the war efforts and support our students, reservists, and the entire State of Israel.

I would also like to thank our donors for their extreme generosity in our time of need.
The outpouring of support has given us such hope in the future and we are forever grateful to you all.

Am Yisrael Chai,
Leslie
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Leslie Skyba
Executive Director
American Friends of IDC (Reichman University)
Moshe Yedidia Leiter Hy"D
Reichman University mourns the death of Major (Res.) Moshe Yedidia Leiter, who was killed in battle in the northern Gaza Strip. Moshe, 39 years old from Mein Tsurim, was a platoon commander in the Sheldag unit. He left behind his wife, Tzipi, our law student, and six children. Moshe was supposed to start studying Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship in Healthcare MBA program. Our sincere condolences to his family. May his memory be a blessing.
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Initiatives on Campus- Equipment Collection Center, Public Diplomacy, and Resilience Center
From the moment the war broke out, Reichman University swiftly mobilized, in all its strength, to support the war effort on the front lines and the home front. The Adelson Entrepreneurship Building transformed into a bustling volunteer hub overnight; hundreds of non-drafted students, alumni, faculty, and the entire university community have been volunteering their help to aid in any way possible. Together, they established a variety of “situation rooms” — an equipment collection center, a civilian public diplomacy center, a resilience center providing first-response mental health support, an agricultural volunteering initiative, a legal clinics center offering guidance to residents of the south, and a project dedicated to documenting and translating testimonies of survivors of the massacre. Our research institutes have joined the media battle in the international arena. The university’s international school has welcomed hundreds of students who came to Israel from abroad, and is in constant contact with the hundreds who are already here. The Alumni Association has developed a special application through which alumni can seek assistance with any personal matter. To our dear students on the front lines, we are here for you, offering unwavering support and strength from the home front. Together, we will win!
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ActIL- Making the Case for Israel
Reichman University opens war room to battle false narrative amid Israel-Gaza war.
The university has students from 90 countries, allowing Act-IL to make Israel’s case in 11 different languages and through a familiar lens, explains Prof. Moran Yarchi, head of the Public Diplomacy Program and of the Digital Influence & Perceptions Specialization at Reichman University’s Sammy Ofer School of Communications.
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At Memorial Gathering, Prof. Reichman Announces
Kfar Aza Families will Reside in Ronson Dorms
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At the memorial ceremony on Tuesday, November 7th, Prof. Uriel Reichman, Founding President and Chairman of the Board announced that families from Kfar Aza will be living in the new Ronson dorms and any services these families need will be provided as they join of the Reichman University community.
Ido Felus, resident and evacuee of Kfar Aza spoke about his experience.
Prof. Uriel Reichman, the founding president and chairman of the university’s board of directors opened the ceremony and said:

“Today marks 30 days since the black day that saw the onslaught of monstrous evil on our lives. The seventh of October 2023 will forever be remembered in the history of our nation. We have gathered here today, at the university, not as part of a national day of remembrance, but as a grieving family.

The people of Israel have risen to the occasion. The national will to survive prevailed. We discovered within ourselves a tremendous commitment to safeguarding the existence of the people and the country. The differences of opinion were put aside. Our people, as free citizens of a democratic country, immediately presented themselves to the combat units, prepared to risk everything to ensure our continued existence."
Jonathan Davis on ILTV- AntiSemitism on College Campuses
Jonathan Davis, Head of the Raphael Recanati International School and VP of External Relations at Reichman University, joined ILTV to discuss antisemitism on campuses worldwide and how the RU campus is a respectful, tolerant environment for students from 90 countries.
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Each Life is a Story- Bring Them Home Now 
Watch Reichman University's unique presentation dedicated to raising awareness and advocating for the return of our hostages. 239 books in the Marc Rich Library on campus were attached with photos of each of the kidnapped in order to raise global awareness 🎗️
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RUNI Ventures Team Serving in the IDF
Most members of the RUNI Ventures team & portfolio founders served in key positions in IDF elite units. During the brutal attack on Israel on October 7th, many of them were drafted to reserve duty and we couldn’t be prouder of their leadership & courage.
75 years of defending our country have taught us that in Israel “resilience” is not just a catchphrase, it's an enduring spirit that has shaped our country's technology industry and made it a global powerhouse of innovation.

Our portfolio companies are exemplifying unwavering determination to ensure business operations continue. They have adapted quickly and demonstrated incredible agility - showcasing their commitment to their mission of shaping the future.
A recent study by Professor Ilya Strebulaev from Stanford University Graduate School of Business revealed that founders with professional experience in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are 3 times (!!) more likely to build a unicorn company, compared to those with experience in other organizations.

For us, these numbers are not a surprise. We have no doubt that the new skills & capabilities we acquired during this challenging time - will fuel us to keep thriving, inventing, and DELIVER.
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Students and Staff Volunteering at Local Farms
The university's staff and students have been actively volunteering to support the farms, which have experienced a notable loss of farm labor. Their efforts involve tasks such as planting and picking avocados, tomatoes, and lettuce. This demanding labor is a source of pride for us, and we commend their dedication and hard work!
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Activities and Support for Students on Campus
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During this difficult time, the RRIS staff has been working hard to provide activities and volunteering opportunities to our students.
Administrative and academic staff has been available to students daily at Jerry's Cafe, in a program called, "We Care a Latte About You."


Some of our counselors have still been able to take our new students through an integration process, despite the rocky circumstances Israel faces.
Raffy Levy, second year Government student and counselor shares: 
"Over the past few weeks, I've had the privilege of getting to know and support the incredible students who have come from abroad to Reichman University. These have been challenging times, with the conflict in Israel affecting their studies and daily lives. However, I have been inspired by their resilience, strength, and unity during this period. 
As a counselor, my goal has been to create a safe and welcoming space for these students, where they can not only share their concerns but also find comfort in the company of their friends. It's heartwarming to see students from various courses coming together, forming new friendships, and finding support in each other during these difficult times.
I've witnessed these students grow stronger and more connected, and their ability to adapt to the challenges they face has been truly remarkable.
I am here to continue supporting them in any way I can, to listen, and to make sure that they feel heard and valued during their time here. Together, we can get through everything and provide a sense of belonging, no matter where in the world we come from. It's been an honor to be a part of their journey."
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Save the Date: RRIS Online Info Session
Sunday, November 19th
Join our online information session to learn more about Reichman University and our undergraduate degrees.
President Boaz Ganor, head of the International School Jonathan Davis, and our admission coordinators will be presenting our campus and degrees on Zoom and available for any questions.
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RRIS Students of the Month: Our Reservists and Soldiers
Over 1,000 of our Reichman University Hebrew and RRIS students and alumni are currently serving in reserve duty, protecting the State of Israel in many capacities. Below are just 6 of our RRIS current students serving with pride. We pray for their safe and swift return and we are looking forward to greeting them on campus!
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