Standing strong together across Europe
The Swiss Society of Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science, chaired by Mr. Eric Stupp (fourth from left), held its Annual Weizmann Lecture in November 2023 (photo credit: Aviv Zur).
The European Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science (ECWIS) and its societies stand united with the Weizmann Institute following the October 7 atrocities.
Solidarity events have been hosted in Spain, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, bringing friends and supporters together to honor the Weizmann Institute’s resilience and its vital contributions to scientific research.
The Swiss Society of Friends, chaired by Mr. Eric Stupp, held its Annual Weizmann Lecture in Zürich and Lugano in November 2023. The event featured Prof. Tamir Klein from the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, who presented his inspiring research on trees and their impact on climate change.
In Berlin, the German Society of Friends of the Weizmann Institute, chaired by Mr. Sidney Jachimowicz, gathered alumni from the Dr. Bessie F. Lawrence International Summer Science Institute (ISSI) for a reunion in November 2023. In attendance was Dr. Igor Spivak, a German postdoctoral fellow in Prof. Eran Elinav’s lab in the Department of Systems Immunology, who discussed his research and experiences at the Weizmann Institute.
In January 2024, ECWIS held its annual board and committee meetings in Zürich, where Weizmann President Prof. Alon Chen shared the latest scientific developments at the Institute and highlighted the community’s strength and adaptability amid the evolving challenges brought on by the war.
Members of the Liechtenstein Society of Friends, chaired by Ms. Rita Kieber-Beck, organized a special gathering in January in Vaduz, during which ECWIS Chair and new Chair of the International Board of the Weizmann Institute of Science Mr. Bob Drake gave a speech emphasizing the importance of the Liechtenstein Society’s enduring support and friendship.
In February, the German Society of Friends held its annual lecture in Berlin, featuring Prof. Emeritus Avigdor Scherz from the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, who presented the latest developments in his groundbreaking cancer research. The event also honored Dr. Manfred Gentz for his dedicated service as the Chair of the German Society of Friends, and welcomed Mr. Jachimowicz, elected as the German Society’s new Chair.
Ms. Micaela Goren Monti was recently elected Chair of the Italian Society of Friends of the Weizmann Institute. We wish Ms. Goren Monti much success, and extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Enrico Cucchiani for his dedication and leadership over the years.
We congratulate Mr. Bob Drake on his recent appointment as Chair of the International Board of the Weizmann Institute of Science.
