Bar-Ilan’s Story
In the early 1950s, Professor Pinchos Churgin, President of the Mizrachi movement in the USA and a leading figure in the development of Yeshiva University in New York City, started the initiative to establish a university that combines Jewish values and academic excellence.
He succeeded and in 1955 Bar-Ilan opened its doors.
Named after Rabbi Meir Bar-Ilan (Berlin), a prominent religious Zionist leader, and head of the Mizrachi movement, the university emblem incorporated the Torah and a microscope, symbolizing the integration of Jewish heritage and science.
During its first year, 90 students studied at Bar-Ilan in 34 courses held in eight classrooms and two laboratories – all in provisional buildings. The number of university staff totalled 23.
Today, Bar-Ilan is one of Israel’s leading universities, uniquely combining cutting-edge scientific research with education steeped in Jewish values and social responsibility.
Take a virtual tour of Bar-Ilan’s campus.
From 90 students in 1955 to over 20,000 today, Bar-Ilan’s achievements have made an indelible imprint on the State of Israel.
The university now boasts nine faculties: Jewish Studies, Medicine, Engineering, Law, Life Sciences, Exact Sciences, Social Sciences, Education, and Humanities. These faculties are active partners in national science and technology initiatives, having a positive impact on Israel today.
Faculties at Bar-Ilan
Bar-Ilan boasts nine faculties: Jewish Studies, Medicine, Engineering, Law, Life Sciences, Exact Sciences, Social Sciences, Education and Humanities.
Diversity
at Bar-Ilan
Diversity and tolerance are key at Bar-Ilan.
Bar-Ilan’s student body represents a mosaic of the State of Israel.
Home to a microcosm of Israeli society, Bar-Ilan University’s student body includes religious and secular Jews, Arabs and international students.
This multicultural environment encourages free thought and open discussion while providing an education steeped in Jewish values. Students interact with faculty in lively and animated dialogues, conferences and lectures.
Over 100,000 Bar-Ilan alumni are working in vast and varied sectors, invigorating Israeli society. Each represents the spirit of education and tolerance they learned on the grounds of Israel’s “most beautiful campus”.
Bar-Ilan also prides itself in having diverse faculty members and administrative staff, promoting university values of respect, tolerance and freedom of ideas and exchange.
Come and say hello!
Come see for yourself the impact Bar-Ilan is having with a visit to the university’s award-winning campus.
Whether it’s the latest diabetes research in the Galilee or a community clinic on campus, whatever your interest please get in touch and we can organise a personal welcome and tour.
Bar Ilan Facts
Founded in 1955, Bar-Ilan University is one of Israel's leading institutions of higher education, uniquely combining cutting-edge scientific research with education steeped in Jewish values and social responsibility.
