News
"The generous gift will enable us to make a true ‘quantum leap’ in both medical education and research."
In honor of a generous gift from the Gray Foundation – the largest in TAU’s history – the University is naming the Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, as well as of the School of Medicine and School of Medical Sciences, after the Gray family.
The gift will significantly expand capacity at the Gray Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences, improve access for students and elevate the quality of education, training and research. This includes funding for:
- A new 600-bed dormitory, with preference given to underprivileged students
- New advanced teaching and research facilities
- Modernization of the Schools of Medicine and Dentistry
- Scholarships for underrepresented groups
- Support for faculty recruitment and retention
- BRCA research and collaboration
- Creation of a memorial for the victims of October 7th
TAU President Prof. Ariel Porat: “The Gray family’s generous gift will enable us to make a true ‘quantum leap’ in both medical education and research. But the importance of their donation goes beyond science and medicine, beyond increasing the number of doctors in Israel. We are living through the most difficult days Israel has experienced since its founding. Mindy and Jon’s donation is a vote of confidence in Tel Aviv University, in Israeli academia, in Israeli science – in fact, in the State of Israel and its future.”
Co-Founders of the Gray Foundation, Mindy and Jon Gray: “We’ve been searching for a way to make a meaningful impact in Israel since the tragic events of October 7th. We can think of no better way to accelerate healing than by supporting an institution that touches the lives of so many. This gift will expand Tel Aviv University’s capacity to educate new healthcare professionals, including underrepresented students, and create state of the art research facilities – building on our longtime support for medical research and access to higher education.”
This gift allows TAU – the largest training institution for doctors in Israel – to increase the number of new medical students by approximately 25%. In addition to doctors, TAU will also aim to increase the number of students in the overall Faculty of Medical & Health Sciences by approximately 20%, training thousands of nurses, therapists, dentists and other healthcare professionals.
To dramatically improve access for students, the Grays’ gift will help create a new 600-bed dormitory, the Mindy and Jon Gray Building, and additional scholarship opportunities. This will include targeted support and recruiting efforts for underrepresented groups at TAU who have faced challenges on housing costs and access.
This gift will also enable a comprehensive renovation of existing medical and health sciences facilities along with the creation of new world-class research laboratories; provide for strategic investment to attract and retain leading biomedical scientists from around the world; and expand work in BRCA-related cancers.