A new home for the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Science (ELSC) inaugurated at the Hebrew University campus in Jerusalem

July 2017 — The Hebrew University of Jerusalem dedicated its new interdisciplinary center for brain sciences in June 2017, before the official opening in October 2017. The Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences (ELSC), the largest neuroscience center in Israel, was inaugurated in the presence of Mrs. Lily Safra, whose support was critical in the creation of the Center.  It is unique in bringing together specialists from all of the academic disciplines researching brain sciences.

Mrs. Safra, a supporter of neuroscience research projects around the world and chairwoman of the Edmond J. Safra Foundation, pledged a lead donation of $50 million of the center’s $150 million initial budget.

The Hebrew University’s newsletter reported:

“Amidst the splendor of the inner courtyard with its retractable roof open to a beautiful Jerusalem nighttime sky, Hebrew University President Menahem Ben-Sasson presented Madame Lily Safra with a scale model of the new home of the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Science (ELSC) which she was instrumental in bringing to fruition. Joined by award-winning architect Lord Norman Foster and Hebrew University Rector Prof. Asher Cohen, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and President Ben- Sasson, Madame Safra then cut the ribbon formally inaugurating the new building.”