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Tel Aviv University Center for Zoological Discovery

Written by Raphael on .

Tel Aviv University Center for Zoological Discovery

Tel Aviv University’s research zoo aims to become the largest and most modern research center for zoology and marine biology in Israel. Currently sitting on 7.5 acres of green habitat with the largest collection of local animals in Israel, the facility is fast becoming an internationally renowned hub for state-of-the-art research facilities and methodologies.

The zoo currently boasts an impressive array of research facilities and wildlife, yet it has been closed to the public for several years.

In May 2025, TAU Canada proudly celebrated the launch of The Weisfeld Family Charitable Foundation Animal Habitat Initiative. The inauguration, held at TAU’s Zoological Research Garden, marks a pivotal step in the evolution of the Center. This transformational donation was presented by the Foundation’s Gilad and Stephanie Abrahami.

Importance and impact:

Upgrading the Zoological Research Garden into the more comprehensive Zoological Discovery Center will have critical importance for supporting the needs of modern science, for meeting modern global standards for animal welfare, and for accommodating the needs of diverse public outreach and educational activities.

Visionary donations to this initiative support TAU’s goal of constructing the most unique and inspiring research center in the Middle East for the benefit of nature, science and society.

Key Goals

The Center’s three main goals express the spirit of scientific research and its contribution to society: Research, Teaching and Education, Nature Conservation

Tel Aviv University’s Center for Zoological Discovery will be a place where science is inspired by nature, enabling scientists and students from multiple fields to meet, brainstorm and make groundbreaking discoveries. Here, scientists from disciplines including ecology, evolution, physiology, psychology, medicine, economics, engineering, neurology, computer sciences, and applied policy will collaborate to drive discovery to new heights and new spheres.

Your gift will play a vital role in addressing the requirements of contemporary science, adhering to current global animal welfare standards, and catering to the diverse needs of public engagement and educational initiatives. Thank you for your generosity on behalf of our community and our planet!

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Support PTSD treatment for TAU students

Written by Raphael on .

Healing TAU students from the trauma of October 7th

Support PTSD treatment for TAU students

Tel Aviv University (TAU) is a global leader in research, innovation, and impact, driving groundbreaking discoveries that shape a brighter future for Israel and the world. From pioneering medical advancements to cuttingedge technology, TAU fosters resilience and excellence across all disciplines.

TAU is home to Israel’s future leaders, innovators and visionaries. But today, many of our students are battling the invisible wounds of war.

In the aftermath of the October 7 terror attack and the ongoing conflict, countless TAU students, many of whom served as reservists, lost loved ones or endured unimaginable trauma are now suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

To meet this crisis head-on, TAU has established Israel’s most advanced post-trauma clinic, providing cutting-edge, evidence-based treatments developed by our world-renowned researchers over the last 30 years. Since opening in January 2024, the clinic has become a critical resource, treating nearly 1,000 patients, many of them TAU students struggling to rebuild their futures.

Nearly 7,000 students were in reserve service last year and some 6,000 this year. 19 students have been killed.

Your support can change lives

  • Providing subsidised, expert care to help TAU students heal from trauma.
  • Covering therapy costs, where an average treatment cycle for one student is $3,000.

With your help, we can ensure that every TAU student receives the care and healing they deserve so that they can pursue their future with optimism!

It is incumbent on all of us to be optimistic for our students and to secure the future…

  • The future for the student reservists who have
    sacrificed so much to protect Israel.
  • Future Israeli scientists.
  • Future Israeli engineers.
  • Future Israeli doctors & dentists.
  • Future Israeli architects.
  • Future Israeli lawyers.
  • Future Israeli social scientists.
  • Future Israeli arts and humanities contributors.
  • Future Israeli entrepreneurs.

ABN 66 309 569 145  

Donations above $2 are tax deductible. 
Funds will be disbursed by AFTAU Welfare LTD in accordance with its deed.

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The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History

Written by Raphael on .

The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History

Where Nature, Science, and Discovery Meet

The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History at Tel Aviv University is Israel’s National Center for Biodiversity Studies, dedicated to scientific research, conservation, and education. As home to the region’s largest collection of natural history specimens, the museum safeguards Israel’s biodiversity while tackling global challenges like climate change and species extinction.

At the intersection of scientific discovery and public engagement, the museum is a dynamic hub that welcomes 180,000 visitors annually – making it one of Israel’s most visited museums – and leads groundbreaking research into ecosystem resilience, biodiversity monitoring, and environmental restoration.

Why Your Support Matters

  • Support Groundbreaking Science
    The museum is a powerhouse of research, shaping environmental policies and conservation strategies. From protecting endangered species to developing climate change solutions, our scientists are on the frontlines of global environmental challenges.
  • Preserve Israel’s Natural Heritage
    With over 6 million plant and animal specimens, the museum’s collections are an irreplaceable scientific and cultural resource. Your support helps safeguard this invaluable archive for generations to come.
  • Inspire Future Generations
    Education is at the heart of our mission. Through innovative exhibitions, citizen science programs, and outreach initiatives, we make science accessible and exciting, inspiring visitors to become advocates for our planet.

Help Us Make a Difference

Your tax-deductible donation ensures that the museum remains a global leader in research, conservation, and education.

Donate Now to play your part in protecting our planet’s future.

For more information, please visit smnh.tau.ac.il/en

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U2U PTSD and Mental Health

Written by AUFTAU on .

TAU’s Scholarship Fund

Scholarships and Financial Aid

We are compelled to make it financially possible for our students to continue their studies and receive crucially needed mental health support.

These much-needed scholarships ensure that our returning students have the academic and financial assistance they need to return to their labs and classrooms after many difficult months away.  

Over 6,000 Tel Aviv University students have missed out on crucial learning time. As Israelis look towards what is next, many TAU students will need to transition back to the studies and lives that have been put on hold.

Their true calling is to become professionals, scientists and leaders, driving innovation and discovery in Israel and globally.

Help them complete their studies and fulfill their hopes and dreams.

*$3800 will fund a full Student Scholarship for an academic year.

*$2300 will fund intensive, personalised academic tutoring for a single student for the year.

*$3800 will fund a full Uniform to University Student Scholarship for an academic year.

*$2300 will fund intensive, personalised academic tutoring for a single student for the year.

ABN 66 309 569 145  

Donations above $2 are tax deductible. 
Funds will be disbursed by AFTAU Welfare LTD in accordance with its deed.

EVERY DONATION COUNTS.
THANK YOU AUSTRALIAN FRIENDS FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

MEDIA SPONSOR

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The National Center for Traumatic Stress and Resilience

Written by AUFTAU on .

The National Center for Traumatic Stress and Resilience

The number of Israelis exposed to trauma is rising at an alarming rate. 

The treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a field in which Israel, and specifically Tel Aviv University (TAU), excels. Accordingly, TAU scholars and practitioners have significantly deepened their knowledge of the effects of traumatic stress and developed effective intervention models based on their unique insights. TAU recently established the National Center for Traumatic Stress and Resilience to build on and expand this knowledge. 

The Center, although not yet fully funded, has already become a true “game changer” in advancing the treatment and prevention of PTSD and related conditions.

We invite you to donate to the Center’s Research Program, Social Work Program or Expanding Access to Care initiative, which will profoundly improve the lives of thousands of individuals and families for generations to come.  

(1) Research Grants: Developing novel clinical interventions and prevention programs

The Center will award competitive research grants to the most exciting and promising projects proposed by teams from across the TAU campus, with an option for cooperative projects with additional universities from Israel and abroad. Funded projects will be clinical and applied to develop treatment or resilience-building interventions. An international scientific board will evaluate the treatments and interventions developed through these grants. 

Five research groups will receive support of up to $69,000 CDN annually for two years. Thus, the Center will support ten research projects each year, resulting in a significant portfolio of proven translational research over the years.

(2) Social Work Program: 

TAU seeks visionary donors to immediately launch a vitally needed Post-Trauma Training Program for social workers across Israel. 

The Program will be led and implemented by TAU’s Bob Shapell School of Social Work. It will target social workers employed in various social services frameworks who lack the training to work specifically with post-traumatic individuals. The Program will educate participants on the basic concepts associated with trauma, provide them with the means to identify common symptoms and equip them with essential tools and principles for initial intervention. 

Once funding is in place, TAU can quickly launch four cohorts of the Program. Each cohort will include about 30 participants, for an overall total of 120 participants.  

We anticipate that, at the end of the 1.5-month training, social workers will have the foundational knowledge to help thousands of Israelis who have experienced trauma be able to identify early signs of deterioration and effectively respond to them, and help victims identify opportunities for developing strength and resilience. 

Tel Aviv University aims to raise $90,000 CDN to train 120 dedicated frontline social workers. The funding will support the Program’s academic supervisory staff, instructors, administration, technical support, and tuition subsidies.

(3) Expanding Access to Care 

Your life-altering donation toward expanded access to care at the Center will provide for help with personal costs. Your generous donation, which significantly enhances access to care at the Center, will directly support individuals by subsidizing the cost of treatment, thereby allowing more people access to various supports they may need but cannot access due to cost restrictions. 

The clinic will treat large numbers of people dealing with PTSD, as a result of the war or other causes. It will receive patients referred by other organizations. Private citizens can receive treatment for a fee after making an appointment without a referral.

*$3800 will fund a full Student Scholarship for an academic year.

*$2300 will fund intensive, personalised academic tutoring for a single student for the year.

ABN 66 309 569 145  

Donations above $2 are tax deductible. 
Funds will be disbursed by AFTAU Welfare LTD in accordance with its deed.

EVERY DONATION COUNTS.
THANK YOU AUSTRALIAN FRIENDS FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

EVERY DONATION COUNTS.
THANK YOU AUSTRALIAN FRIENDS FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

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75 for 75 Scholarship Campaign

Written by AUFTAU on .

Israel’s massive investment in education has been critical in successfully positioning the Jewish State as the “Startup Nation” in technology, innovation, agriculture, biomedicine, and many other areas.

Tel Aviv University has been a key driver in this growth and leadership over decades.

We invite you to celebrate Israel’s 75th anniversary with the gift of education by participating in our 75-for-75 scholarship campaign so that students like the ones below can fulfill their dreams of higher education.
We encourage you to watch their short videos so you can hear their personal stories and learn from them why providing financial support to worthy students is vital to strengthening Israel’s future.”

PLEASE SUPPORT A STUDENT HERE …

Meet Our Students

Growing up as the seventh of nine children in a single-parent family, Hodaya didn’t imagine a future that included higher education.
“Receiving a scholarship helped me believe that I deserve to be here, that TAU is my place, too.”

• • • Hodaya Levy Rublin

Nursing

Click here to read the full story and a short video

A first-generation university student, Bat-El doesn’t take scholarship support for granted.
“My parents made aliyah from Ethiopia and they are so proud of me.”

• • • Bat El Bogala

Psychology & English Literature

Click here to read the full story and a short video

A native of Tzfat, Yakir hopes to use his lawyer skills to help workers from Israel’s social and geographic periphery.
“I want to put into practice what I’ve been planning for so long: to give back and effect positive social change.”

• • • Yakir Mazuz

Law

Click here to read the full story

A father of baby triplets, David couldn’t finance his graduate studies alone.
“Scholarships help people change the world,” he says.

• • • David Bodenheim

Law

Click here to read the full story and a short video

“I used to doubt that I would even graduate high school let alone enter university,” says Kochava, who is now part of the prestigious Schulich Leadership program.

• • • Kochava Pavlov

Math & Computer Science

Click here to read the full story and a short video

“I am one of many other students who wouldn’t be here without scholarship help. It’s 100% necessary and appreciated,” says Eitan, who arrived from Mexico and now lives in Israel.

• • • Eitan Rozen

Sofaer Global MBA

Click here to read the full story

Your valuable contribution will help those who need it most

Please make your tax-deductible donation here

or call (03) 9296 2066

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PRIVACY POLICY

Written by AUFTAU on .

This website (our Website) is owned and operated by Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University (AFTAU) (we, us and our).
By using our Website, you agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with this Privacy Policy, do not use our Website.

This Privacy Policy explains our approach to dealing with your Personal Information. We set out how we collect, hold, manage and use Personal Information, including when you visit, interact with or use our Website.

We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time by posting a new version on our Website and it will be binding on you and us from the date it is posted on our Website.

Scope of policy

  1. This Privacy Policy applies to all Personal Information we hold.

  2. “Personal Information” under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the Privacy Act) is defined to mean information or an opinion (including information or an opinion forming part of a database), whether true or not, and whether recorded in a material form or not, about an individual whose identity is apparent, or can reasonably be ascertained, from the information or opinion.

Your consent

  1. By using our Website and/or accessing our services, you consent to us using any Personal Information that we collect for any of the purposes set out in this Privacy Policy.

Collection of Personal Information

Why do we collect Personal Information?

  1. We collect and hold Personal Information that is reasonably necessary for the services we provide.

How do we collect Personal Information?

  1. We will generally collect Personal Information from you directly through your use of our Website including when you visit, access, contact us or use other services provided on our Website.

  2. We may also collect Personal Information through applications, email or other communication with you, or through a face-to-face meeting or telephone conversation with you.

What form of Personal Information do we collect?

  1. We may collect and hold the following types of Personal Information:
    • Your name;
    • Your date of birth;
    • Age range;
    • Your gender;
    • Your phone number;
    • Your nationality;
    • Your email address;
    • Your mailing address and delivery address;
    • Job title;
    • Organisation with which you are affiliated as an employee, contractor or agent;
    • Payment details; and
    • Information provided by you when you use or request other services available on our Website.
  1. In the course of providing our services to you, we may also collect and hold more detailed personal information as required to perform our services.
  1. If you choose to correspond with us through email, we may retain the content of your email messages together with your email address and our responses. We provide the same protections for these electronic communications that we employ in the maintenance of information received by mail and telephone.

Retaining your Personal Information

  1. We will retain your personal information for the duration of your use of the Website. When you cease use of the Website we will retain your Personal Information for no longer than 7 years or for any such period that it is necessary for us to retain your Personal Information (the Retention Period).
  1. We will make your personal Information available to you if requested.

Destruction of your Personal Information 

  1. Once the Retention Period has lapsed, we will ensure the timely and secure destruction and/or disposal of your Personal Information, including both physical information and cyber information.
  1. If at any other time, you request we destroy and/or dispose of your Personal Information, we will comply with your request in a timely matter, to the extent that it does not interfere with the conduct of our business.

Breach of Personal Information

Security of your Personal Information

  1. We will endeavour to protect your Personal Information from unauthorised interference (including access or disclosure).

Informing you of a Data Breach

  1. A data breach will occur if there has been unauthorised interference to your Personal Information, and that interference is likely to result in serious harm to you (Data Breach).
  1. If there is a Data Breach, we will determine if the Data Breach has caused or is likely to cause serious harm. If we determine that serious harm has or will be caused, we will notify you and the relevant reporting body of the Data Breach.

How we use your Personal Information

  1. We collect, use and disclose Personal Information for purposes associated with conducting our business, providing services to you, marketing and promotional efforts, and to improve our content and service offerings, including:
    • Facilitating services between you and us, entities associated with us and/or third-party individuals and organisations who we work with or alongside to provide services to you;
    • Monitoring the use of our Website;
    • Improving the quality of our service;
    • Administrative purposes;
    • Marketing communications purposes;
    • Processing of donations;
    • Statistical analysis of the usage of our Website; and
    • Complying with the law, including privacy legislation.
  1. Occasionally, we may also use the Personal Information we collect to notify you about important changes to our Website and new services we think you will find valuable. You may notify us at any time if you do not wish to receive these offers by emailing us at the link provided on notifications, or by contacting us at our contact email address at the end of this policy.

Direct marketing

  1. If you have given us your express consent to:
    • Provide you with direct marketing communications; or
    • Provide your Personal Information to third party individuals and organisations who we work with or alongside to provide services to you),

we may collect, hold, use and disclose Personal Information in accordance with that consent to enable us (or those third-party individuals and organisations, as the case may be) to provide you information about, and offer you, goods and services.

  1. If you give us consent to provide you with direct marketing communications, you can later request not to receive direct marketing communications. You may also request that we do not provide your Personal Information to any of our third party providers in order for them to provide you with direct marketing communications.

Disclosure

  1. Such information may be shared with others as de-identified data in aggregated form.
  1. Personally-identifiable information or business information will not be shared with third parties except as required by law or where you have given us your express consent to do so.
  1. We may need to provide your Personal Information to third parties who we engage to assist us to provide goods and services to you, such as:
    • Service providers who we engage to assist us in providing services to you;
    • Information technology service providers; and
    • Payment processors.
  1. Where your Personal Information is disclosed to these third parties, they will only be authorised to use your Personal Information for the purpose that we supplied it to them. If those third parties are located overseas, then your Personal Information may be transferred overseas.

Cookies and data activity

  1. We may use standard technology called ‘cookies’ and similar technologies on our Website. Cookies are small data files that are stored on your computer when you visit a particular app or website, which allow your web browser to remember certain information.
  1. By using our Website, you agree to our use of cookies and our Website will issue cookies as soon as you visit our Website. You may disable cookies by turning them off in your browser, however some functions of our Website may not be available to you if you do this.
  1. Sometimes information that you upload is provided with associated metadata. If you do not want us to use the metadata you must remove it before uploading it onto our Website and other applications and tools.
  1. We may collect data that is associated with your visit, including the pages you visit, the activities you do and the purchases you make etc. We may also collect information relating to the mobile phone or other device including the device type, the browser, location, IP address and search words used. We may collect, use and disclose and store this information in any of the ways set out in this Privacy Policy.

Data security and storage

  1. Personal Information collected by us will be stored and processed on servers located within Australia. To prevent unauthorised access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the correct use of information, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online.
  1. In other limited circumstances, we may need to send your Personal Information overseas. These circumstances include:
    • Where we have a supplier assisting us with the provision of goods and services and our business functions; and
    • Where a third-party application is being used in connection with our interactions with you.
  1. We will take all reasonable steps to maintain the security of Personal Information in these circumstances in accordance with this Privacy Policy, but our ability to ultimately control where these third-party providers host their applications or process their data may be limited.

Links to other applications and websites

  1. Our Website may contain links to other applications, websites and tools that are not owned, controlled or operated by us. We are not responsible for the practices employed by applications linked to or from our Website or the information or content contained on them.
  1. Please remember that when you use a link to go from our Website to another application, our Privacy Policy is no longer in effect. Your browsing and interaction on any other application, including applications that have a link on our Website, is subject to that application’s own rules and policies. Please read over those rules and policies before proceeding.

Legal disclosure of Personal Information

  1. We reserve the right to disclose any Personal Information which identifies you as required by law and when we believe that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, or to comply with a judicial proceeding, court order, or legal process served on our Website.

How to opt-out or access your Personal Information

  1. If you:
    • Want to find out what Personal Information we hold about you;
    • Believe any of your Personal Information held by us is inaccurate, out of date, incomplete or it is not necessary for us to continue to hold it;
    • Want to request not to receive direct marketing communications or that we do not provide your Personal Information to any of our third party providers in order for them to provide you with direct marketing communications; or
    • Wish to make a complaint about a breach of the Privacy Act, Australian Privacy Principles or a privacy code that applies to us,

please contact us by emailing us at our contact email address at the end of this policy.

  1. If you are not happy with our response, you may complain directly to the Australian Privacy Commissioner.

Contact us

  1. For any queries, complaints or requests regarding this policy or our handling or use of your Personal Information, please contact us at office@aftau.asn.au.

TERMS OF USE

Written by AUFTAU on .

  1. Introduction

By using the pages in this site, you agree to the Terms of Use presented here. If you do not agree to these Terms of Use, you should not use this site. These Terms of Use may be changed or updated from time to time. You may wish to print this page for future reference. Copyright © AFTAU

  1. Contact

If you have any queries regarding these Terms of Use or about AFTAU, please contact us at:

Address: Tok Corporate Centre, Level 1, 459 Toorak Road, Toorak VIC 3142 AUSTRALIA

Phone: +61 3 9296 2065

Email: office@aftau.asn.au

  1. Definitions

The abbreviation “AFTAU” used in this site refers to The Australian Friends of Tel Aviv University. “You” refers to any user of this site.

  1. Personal Use

AFTAU grants you non-exclusive, non-transferable, limited right to access, view, use, display and print information on this web site, including all the materials provided hereon, for your personal and non-commercial use only.

You may not copy, modify, reproduce, create derivative works from, distribute, transmit, license, or sell any content or any portion of this site without the prior express written consent from AFTAU. You agree not to interrupt, or attempt to interrupt, the operation of AFTAU’s site. You warrant that you will not use this AFTAU site for any purpose that is unlawful or prohibited by these Terms of Use.

  1. Copyright and Trademark

All AFTAU material, including without limitation the trademarks and related marks, text, images, software applications, audio or video clips, and database content are owned and controlled by AFTAU, which retains all right, title and interest in and to AFTAU Content.

  1. Links to Other Sites

This site may contain links to other Web sites operated and maintained by parties other than AFTAU. AFTAU does not control such other websites and is not responsible for their contents. Such links are provided for your convenience only.

  1. Customer Service

You may contact us for assistance, queries or problems which you may incur through the use of this website.

  1. Charitable Donations

In the event that you make use of a AFTAU site to make a charitable contribution or payment for an event, you will receive an automated confirmation. Any queries should be directed to the AFTAU’s office on +61 3 9296 2065.

  1. Privacy

AFTAU’s website conforms to the highest standards of privacy protection for site users. For details of our online practices regarding the privacy and security of your information, see our Privacy Statement.

  1. Disclaimer of Warranty

The information and materials contained on AFTAU’s website are provided “as is” without warranty of any kind and AFTAU in particular makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, timeliness, completeness, merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose of any such services or information.

  1. Limitation of Liability

Use of information in any portion of AFTAU content for any purposes is solely at the risk of the user. News sources do not warrant the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of any news releases or leadership briefings and make no guarantees, express or implied, including those of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Poll results stated on the site are not scientific. The sole responsibility of AFTAU’s web content sources is use of their best efforts to correct any fact, timing or omission brought to their attention.

  1. Modifications

AFTAU reserves the right to change these Terms of Use at any time. Any modification is effective immediately upon posting to the website.

  1. Entire Agreement

This agreement constitutes the entire agreement between you and a participating AFTAU web site with respect to this website, and it supersedes all prior such agreements.

Victoria

Phone: +61 3 9296 2065
Email: office@aftau.asn.au

New South Wales

Phone: +61 02 7241 8711
Email: davidsolomon@aftau.org.au

Western Australia

Phone: :+61 0418 46 5556
Email: davidsolomon@aftau.org.au