On Wednesday, 22 October, the Azrieli Fellows Program launched the 2025–2026 academic year with an orientation for the new Graduate Studies Fellows. The event took place at the Council for a Beautiful Israel in Tel Aviv, providing a bright and tranquil setting for the start of their fellowship journey.
This year’s cohort includes 25 Graduate Studies Fellows representing a wide range of disciplines and universities across Israel. The day opened with greetings from Julie Mattos-Hall, Fellowship Manager; Aviad Stollman, Global Director; and Rochelle Avitan, Program Director.
In his address, Aviad reflected on the story of the Tower of Babel, using it as a metaphor for the risks of intellectual fragmentation. Quoting Naomi Azrieli, he spoke about the importance of breaking down academic silos and creating spaces where ideas from different fields can meet and enrich one another.
The fellows took part in an interactive activity designed to spark conversation and connection, setting the tone for collaboration and open exchange. Following a group photo session, participants learned about the components and structure of the fellowship before enjoying lunch together.
The day offered an inspiring beginning to the 2025–2026 fellowship year, reaffirming the ethos at the heart of the Azrieli Fellows Program: Bringing together diverse disciplines, perspectives, and people to foster discovery and mutual understanding.
