October 1, 1998

IN ISRAEL

Prof. Yossi Shiloh of the Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Medicine of the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, who isolated in 1995 the gene which, when damaged, causes the genetic fatal childhood disease A-T, showed for the first time how the protein, called ATM, acts as a key regulator of cell division after DNA damage. The findings were published in Science, the September 11, 1998 issue, in an article entitled "Enhanced Phosphorylation of P53 by ATM in Response to DNA Damage." The discovery may lead to a new understanding of neurological and immune disorders as well as cancer.

Ambassador of Mexico Juan Antonio Mateos and Mrs. Mateos hosted the diplomatic corps in Israel at a ceremony and reception celebrating the 188th anniversary of Mexico's Independence. The festivities were held at TAU's Yolanda and David Katz Faculty of the Arts in the Mexico Building on campus.

CONFERENCES

TAU hosted a symposium within the framework of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) which held its 39th IEA General Assembly Meeting in Israel under the auspices of the Chief Scientist's Office at the Ministry of Education and Culture and TAU's School of Education. Greetings were given by Prof. David Chen, Head of School of Education and by coordinator Prof. David Nevo, IEA representative in Israel. Prof. Zemira Mevarech, Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Education, delivered a lecture entitled "Science and Mathematics Studies in the Israeli Education System toward the Year 2000." The latest findings of TIMSS (Third International Mathematics and Science Study) in which Israel is participating were presented by Prof. Albert Beaton, TIMSS International Study Director, and Prof. Tjeerd Plomp, IEA Chairman. The Bronia Mondlak Conference Room at the Department of Political Science was inaugurated by Mendel Mondlak of Mexico in commemoration of his late wife. Greetings were delivered by Prof. Moshe Semyonov, Dean of the Gordon Faculty of Social Sciences; Dr. Yossi Shain, Chairman of the Department; and Dr. Ilana Ben Ami, Regional Vice Chairperson for Latin America and Spain. Prof. Nathan Lerner delivered a lecture on "The Interaction between Israel and the Diaspora."

The Israeli Chapter of the Association of Old Crows (AOC) held a conference on the history of Israeli electronic warfare, organized by Dr. Avner Ephrath, Chairman of the Israeli Chapter. The conference, marking the 50th anniversary of the State of Israel, was held at TAU under the auspices of TAU's Interdisciplinary Center for Technological Analysis and Forecasting and the Research and Development Authority of the Ministry of Defense. Special guest-speakers were R. Adm. (US Navy, R) Julian Lake and Maj. General (IAF, R) Beny Peled. The concluding panel was entitled "The Future of the Electronic Warfare Industry."

APPOINTMENTS AND AWARDS

Prof. Avraham Shapira of TAU's Department of Jewish History, Entin Faculty of Humanities, was awarded the Avi Chai Prize at a ceremony held in TAU's Cymbalista Synagogue and Jewish Heritage Center. Greetings were given by Prof. Aron Dotan, Director of the Center. A guest lecture was delivered by TAU Honorary Doctor Prof. David Weiss Halivni of Columbia University.

Prof. Daniel Bar-Tal of the TAU School of Education was elected President of the International Society of Political Psychology.

Prof. Arie Nadler, former Dean of the Gordon Faculty of Social Sciences, was appointed Head of the Peres Institute for Diplomacy and International Cooperation at TAU.

Prof. Nurit Govrin of the TAU Department of Hebrew Literature was awarded the 1998 Bialik Prize of the Tel Aviv Municipality for her lifetime writings and research in Hebrew literature.

Prof. Aron Dotan of the TAU Department of Hebrew Language, Director of the Cymbalista Synagogue and Jewish Heritage Center, was awarded the 1998 Bialik Prize for his recently-published two-volume book, The Dawn of Hebrew Linguistics.

VISITS

Dr. Hans Christian Eschelbacher, Deputy Director-General of Environment and Basic Scientific Research at the German Federal Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Technology met with TAU researchers involved in joint projects with German scientists, accompanied by Andrea Noske and Petra Mann, of the Ministry; Dr. Henning Eikenberg, new Science Counselor at the German Embassy in Israel; and Dr. Michael Wolff, Minister-Counselor for Scientific Affairs at the Israeli Embassy in Germany. The delegation was hosted for lunch by Prof. Shimon Yankielowicz, TAU Vice Rector.

Dr. Aurelian Bondrea, Rector of Spiru Haret University, Bucharest, Romania, visited TAU accompanied by Andreea Pastarnac, the Romanian Embassy cultural attache and faculty member of TAU's Foreign Language Unit, Entin Faculty of Humanities. They were hosted by Vice Rector Prof. Shimon Yankielowicz; Director of Public Affairs Yoram E. Shamir,; and faculty members.

A delegation from Korea, headed by the Mayor of Inchon City, Choi Ki-sun, visited on campus and met with Prof. Yoram Dinstein, TAU President; Prof. Benjamin Isaac, Director of Inter-Academic Affairs; and Prof. Gideon Langholz, Dean of the Fleischman Faculty of Engineering.

A mission from North Carolina universities met with Prof. Yoram Dinstein, TAU President; Prof. Louis Shenkman, Vice Dean of the Sackler Faculty of Medicine and Coordinator of the NY State/American Program; and Prof. David Chen, Head of TAU's School of Education.

ABROAD

The Howard Gilman International Conference "Crossing the Pindus and the Apennines -- Communication, Confrontation and Cultural Interchange along Main Roads of Greece and Italy in Antiquity and Later Times" was held in Greece and Italy, directed by Prof. Israel Roll of the TAU Department of Classics at the Entin Faculty of Humanities.
Opening greetings at the Conference were delivered by Prof. Yoram Dinstein, TAU President. The inaugural lecture was delivered by Frank W. Walbank, Professor Emeritus of Cambridge University, UK, on the role of Via Egnatia in roman strategy. In addition to lectures by Israeli, Greek and Italian professors, the Conference included visits to historical and archeological sites and journeys through historic roads. At the closing session a lecture was delivered by Prof. Benjamin Isaac of TAU's Department of Classics.

Four out of nine mathematicians from Israel who were invited to give lectures at the International Congress of Mathematicians held this summer in Berlin were TAU professors from the former Soviet Union: Vitali Milman, Joseph Bernstein, Leonid Palterovich and Boris Tsirelson. An invitation to speak at the conference, which is held once in four years, is regarded as a token of excellence.

COMING EVENTS

The 4th TAU North American Conference hosted by the American and the Canadian Friends, entitled "Peace 101: Tolerance and Understanding - A Course for Humanities," will take place in New York City at the Plaza Hotel from October 8 to 11, 1998.

The 8th TAU European Conference will be held in St. Moritz, Switzerland, from January 28-February 1, 1999.

The University will be closed during Succoth from October 1-13, 1998.