In the heart of Jaffa’s old town, among the ancient alleyways and overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the historic building of Beit Otzarin (the “Curator’s House”) hosted a magical event. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the incoming Azrieli Early Career Faculty Fellow cohort arrived at their orientation, greeted by the enchanting ambiance only Jaffa can offer.
The rooms of Beit Otzarin itself reflect the area’s rich history with their ancient arches, dome ceilings, and intriguing corners with special decorative touches. French-inspired details blend with the spirit of old Jaffa, creating a unique and captivating space.
The evening began with a warm welcome from the team, who provided a recap of the Azrieli Fellows Program’s components. The new Fellows came to know each other, facilitated by cards chosen to spark conversations about our personal and professional lives.
Following the orientation, we moved to the rooftop area, where we were joined by continuing Faculty Fellows. Waiters circulated with an array of tasty morsels, followed by a delicious dinner and a selection of desserts. It was wonderful to see our Fellows mingling with one another: an archaeologist chatting with a computer scientist, or a psychologist connecting with a molecular biologist.
The event concluded with a toast from Aviad, our Global Director, marking the beginning of a special journey for the new fellows. The evening was a resounding success, the perfect way to welcome the new Faculty Fellows to the program.
