The story of the Hebrew University spans almost a hundred years of research, teaching and thought. comprises three main circles through which it is possible, in my opinion, to understand the special spirit of our university.

The first circle, the scientific one, reflects our passion and mission to create groundbreaking science. Science and research are factors that drive the University not only from the research aspect but are also fundamental elements in the teaching and training of the students who will lead Israeli society to the challenges of tomorrow.

The second circle refers to the special human component that you will find on our campuses. This is our circle, of who we are: a fascinating and high-quality community of academic staff, administrative staff and students. We come from different places, we have different beliefs, diverse worldviews, but we are all partners in creating the special spirit of our university. This is the living spirit of the "Hebrew University", a spirit of learning, education, creative thinking, critical thinking, and social responsibility. This is a community whose main added value is in developing the ability to ask the right and important questions and to try to answer them. A community that aims to learn how to think without determining what to think; A community that encourages its members not to take anything for granted.

The third circle is related to our place in society. The Hebrew University, from the day it was founded, has made a huge impact on Israeli society and even beyond that. Every day one of our graduates affects the society in which we live, based on the ideas and research that sprouted here. The influence is so great and profound that it is hard to imagine Israeli society without the Hebrew University and its graduates.

Within these three circles—each separately and all together, our story takes place. A story of a university that has reached amazing achievements and continues to flourish. Because we are constantly moving forward, there is always something more to improve. For our story to be complete, we want it to embrace the social and cultural wealth that characterizes Israeli society, including the outstanding young women and men from the periphery, the first in their family to study for an academic degree, who will break the "ceiling glass" and integrate into the most competitive places in society, whether in the private or public sector.

Our success as a university—and no less the success of the country—to preserve and strengthen our three circles—research, community and society, is always based on the right to think freely. This is a fundamental right that every person deserves, regardless of gender, religion, race, economic status, nationality, or political leaning. This is the ideal climate for scientific thinking and the best possible conditions for the prosperity of the human race. We must strive to fully maintain the democratic, free and open environment that allows all of us, teachers, researchers, and students, to continue to think, challenge, question, innovate and develop.