Baltimore-Based Foundation Donates $20 Million to Bar-Ilan University

In a bold investment in the future of Israeli education, Bar-Ilan University has received a $20 million transformative gift from The Haron Dahan Foundation, which is based in Baltimore. The donation will significantly expand the university’s pioneering Dahan Youth Program—a flagship STEM initiative designed to inspire, educate, and empower Israel’s next generation of scientists and innovators.

The announcement was made during the heartfelt dedication of Bar-Ilan’s new main entrance—the Aharon and Rachel Dahan Gate—a symbolic and physical threshold to the future, named in honor of the Foundation’s visionary benefactors. This powerful gesture underscores the legacy of Aharon Dahan (of blessed memory), a self-made businessman born in Tiberias who rose from poverty and, after settling in Baltimore, became a passionate advocate for education, unity, and opportunity.

“He came from poverty in Tiberias, but he never forgot where he started,” said Dr. Zipora Schorr, a representative of the Foundation, emphasizing Aharon Dahan’s lifelong commitment to access and inclusion. “He believed in peace, in unity, and in building a future where all kinds of people can learn and grow together.”

The Dahan Youth Program has already impacted over 8,000 students ages 9–17 and now stands poised to expand even further. The initiative consists of two distinct tracks: one for gifted students with exceptional aptitude in science and technology, and another designed to enrich the education of students from under-resourced schools who lack access to strong STEM programs. Students in both tracks are given opportunities to explore advanced STEM concepts, benefit from university mentorship, and participate in hands-on experiences in Bar-Ilan’s state-of-the-art laboratories.

“The Haron Dahan Foundation’s landmark gift empowers Bar-Ilan University to strengthen its societal impact,” said Jessica Feldan, CEO of American Friends of Bar-Ilan University. “Thanks to the immense generosity of the Dahan family in creating a scholarship program for our Youth University, Bar-Ilan will continue to ensure that all Israeli young adults have equal access to STEM education and nobody is left behind, and that future leaders in the STEM disciplines continue to be cultivated so that Israel can maintain its international leadership in science and technology.”

Over the past three decades, the Dahan family has helped reshape the landscape of Bar-Ilan—physically, intellectually, and culturally. Their philanthropy includes the establishment of the Dahan Center for Culture, Society & Education in the Sephardic Heritage, the creation of Dahan Unity Park, and a pivotal lead gift to build the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in Israel’s north—Bar-Ilan’s medical school, which they continue to support to this day.

Recently, at the dedication of the Aharon and Rachel Dahan Gate, Bar-Ilan University President Prof. Arie Zaban reflected, “This gate is more than a physical entrance to a university. It is a gateway to the future—one made possible by the generosity, humility, and vision of the Dahan family.”

The event brought together Bar-Ilan’s Board of Trustees, Dahan Foundation leaders, students, and supporters to celebrate the unveiling of this major campus landmark. The new gate — the entrance to The Dahan Campus of Bar-Ilan — marks the beginning of a dynamic phase of university growth, including plans for a future train station and the construction of a new engineering facility.

Michael Jesselson, former chair of the Bar-Ilan University Board of Trustees and this year’s honorary doctorate recipient, shared his personal connection: “He was a terrific man. I really enjoyed getting to know him. I saw his love of the students and his excitement about Bar-Ilan was very genuine.”

During the ceremony, trustees of the Baltimore-based Foundation awarded certificates of recognition to students receiving The Dahan Sephardic Scholarship—grants that provide critical support for students from Sephardic backgrounds who require additional financial aid to pursue meaningful careers in Israeli society.

Eden, a third-year biotechnology student and scholarship recipient, offered her heartfelt thanks: “This support allows us to breathe, focus, and believe in ourselves, especially in hard times. Even without knowing us, Mr. Dahan believed in our future.”

Rabbi Mitchell Wohlberg, President of The Haron Dahan Foundation, closed the ceremony with a moving tribute. “Every night, he read letters from students who received his scholarships. That’s how I know he’d want us here today. He was a dream builder—and we’re just getting started.”