Americans for Ben-Gurion University to host South Florida events

The South Florida Chapter of Americans for Ben-Gurion University (A4BGU) is hosting events in February on topics ranging from resilience during wartime to the impact of Israeli water technology.

On Feb. 15 at the Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival, A4BGU is screening “Who Are the Marcuses?” A documentary revealing the remarkable story of one family, Lottie, Howard and their daughter Ellen, who changed the future with the single largest donation ever made to an institution based in Israel. This screening will feature the attendance of Ellen Marcus, who will introduce the film and participate in a conversation afterward.

The film simultaneously traces the development of Israel’s vital water technology from pre-state to the present; how the Marcuses’ $500 million gift to Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) in 2016 has ensured continued leading-edge development in water science for not only the Israeli people, but the world as a whole; sets the family’s gift in a geopolitical context; and explores both its impact and implications for regional peace through technology exchange.

“The Marcuses were humble visionaries who saw the importance of water research not only as vital to Israel’s self-sufficiency but as a strategy to achieve peace through shared natural resources. Their transformative generosity will be felt for generations to come,” said Doug Seserman, Chief Executive Officer of A4BGU.

Remarkable Resilience

Later in the month, Prof. Ilan Troen — Professor Emeritus of the Sam and Anna Lopin Chair of Modern History at BGU, and Stoll Family Chair in Israel Studies at Brandeis University — will speak on Feb. 27 in Boca Raton and on Feb. 28 in partnership with the Miami Beach JCC. On October 7, Prof. Troen’s daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Shlomi Matias, were murdered in their home in Kibbutz Holit. At the South Florida events, he will share his firsthand account of the Hamas massacre; its impact on BGU and his own family; and how he, and Israel, forges a way forward.

As the anchor institute of Israel’s Negev region, BGU is ensuring the economic growth of southern Israel in the region’s rebuilding process following the attacks, bringing the Negev back to life and moving it forward. Eighty percent of Israelis killed in the October 7 terrorist attacks were from the Negev, while 2,800 were treated at the region’s Soroka and Barzilai Medical Centers, and Negev residents are among the 250,000 Israelis now displaced from their homes. The BGU community was significantly impacted by the October 7 attacks, with 104 people killed (including fallen soldiers, students, and first-degree relatives); 29 wounded; four missing or kidnapped; approximately 150 students, faculty and staff evacuated; and more than 6,600 called to reserve with reserve duty, with 2,600 still in active service.

At the same time, BGU has made immediate and significant contributions to Israel’s recovery, demonstrating just how vital the University is to the resilience and wellbeing of the Negev and of the entire nation. Thousands of BGU medical, nursing, and social work students have volunteered in hospitals throughout Israel, providing medical and psychological assistance to wounded Israelis and their families. Students and faculty members are supporting the families of IDF soldiers called up for reserve duty by looking after their children and maintaining their homes. University dormitories have been opened to families of casualties, evacuees, and army reservists, while evacuated families are also being hosted at the homes of BGU faculty and staff. Dozens of students and staff members are supporting a massive logistical operation for sorting and preparing food and supplies contributions.

A4BGU builds a movement of Americans who are committed to improving the world through a new 21st century unifying vision for Israel. This mission is rooted in the pioneering spirit of David Ben-Gurion, who envisioned that Israel’s future would emerge from the Negev. Today, that vision is manifested in the cutting-edge research carried out at BGU, resulting in scalable solutions for all of humanity in water conservation, environmental science, medical research, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and more.

For more information about these events and sponsorship opportunities, contact Rebecca Wasserstrom at