Arizona State University President Dr. Michael Crow will speak about The Power of Investing in Israel as the keynote speaker at Jewish National Fund’s annual Breakfast for Israel March 6.
“President Michael Crow is a fellow Eagle Scout and has written forwards for three of our most recent children’s books,” says Rodney Glassman, event co-chair with his wife Sasha. “Now, he is joining us to help raise valuable resources for one of the most prolific nonprofit organizations supporting Israel in the world today.”
Dr. Crow recently developed a partnership with Ben-Gurion University of the Negev for ASU students to study abroad. The collaboration is part of a new initiative to encourage study abroad and academic exchange with Israel. Students now have the opportunity to learn about Israel’s history, landscape and diverse cultural traditions through sponsored excursions put in place by the partnership.
“ASU and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev share many commonalities – innovation, similar geographic environments, locations in important urban centers, diverse student bodies and complicated socio-economic environments,” Dr. Crow says. “Most importantly, we share a deep mutual commitment to understanding society’s biggest challenges at the local and global levels and developing next-level solutions. We are excited to collaborate to design a joint platform that tackles issues of sustainability, water resource management, next-generation energy, cyber security and food security.”
Dr. Crow is the 16th president of ASU, a position he has held since July 2002. He is guiding the transformation of ASU into one of the nation’s leading metropolitan research universities, an institution combining academic excellence, inclusiveness and societal impact – a model he terms the “New American University.” During his tenure ASU has established major transdisciplinary research initiatives and witnessed an unprecedented academic infrastructure expansion, quadrupling of research expenditures and attainment of record levels of diversity.
JNF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing the land of Israel through multifaceted initiatives in the areas of research and development, Zionist education and advocacy, the preservation of heritage sites, water renewal, forestry and green innovations, community building, and accessibility and therapeutic services. JNF’s presence in Arizona has grown exponentially in the last decade.
“From tzedakah boxes to planting trees in Israel, JNF holds a special place in our hearts, having been raised in strong Jewish households,” says Sasha Glassman. “To have the opportunity to celebrate the evolution of JNF and the services it provides to the residents of Israel is an honor and privilege.”
The free breakfast will be 7:30 am, March 6, at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort and Villas and is open to the community, however registration is required. To RSVP visit jnf.org/azbreakfast or contact Kaci Garrison at kgarrison@jnf.org or 480-447-8100, ext. 967.
