Photo: Family members of Eliezer Rafaeli (z”l) and University Administration.

In a moving ceremony, the University of Haifa dedicated a memorial wall to Eliezer Rafaeli, the University of Haifa’s first president. The University awarded him with an honorary doctorate in 2003 for his tireless efforts in recruiting faculty members, founding the first academic departments and planning and inaugurating the library. Rafaeli also made notable contributions to the promotion of co-existence at the University with the founding of the Jewish-Arab Center and the Unit for Bridging Social Gaps. On the occasion of his 90th birthday in 2017, he was honored with an Honorary Life Membership to the Board of Governors. His children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren attended the event.