DAAD Israel Alumni Gathering 2025
To mark the 100th anniversary of the DAAD German Academic Exchange Service and 60 years of diplomatic relations between Israel and Germany, we were proud to host a special alumni gathering on July 18, 2025. Despite the challenges and delays caused by the war, we were grateful that we could finally come together.
DAAD alumni from across Israel gathered at the Adelis Conference Center, beautifully situated on the banks of the Yarkon River in Tel Aviv, to participate in an inspiring and engaging program.
The event opened with welcome remarks from the DAAD Israel Team — Mr. Assaf Bloom and Ms. Natalia Suponitskaya — followed by greetings from Dr. Evelyn Obele, Science Attaché at the German Embassy in Tel Aviv. A brilliant keynote speech was delivered by Prof. Fania Oz-Salzberger, Professor Emerita at the University of Haifa, who explored the evolving nature of German-Israeli relations.
The formal part of the program was beautifully accompanied by music performed by DAAD alumni Dr. Ron Merhavi (double bass) and Dr. Itamar Ringel (viola), adding an artistic and personal touch to the celebration. Mr. Hauke Nehrhoff from the DAAD Alumni Division then presented the wide range of alumni funding opportunities currently available.
The second part of the day focused on networking and exchange. Alumni were invited to participate in discussion groups, each led by an experienced moderator:
1. Natural Sciences - hosted by Prof. Ronny Bartsch (Bar-Ilan University), long-time DAAD partner and selection committee member
2. Humanities and Arts - moderated by Ms. Anne Gladitz, DAAD Lecturer at the Tel Aviv University Language Division
3. Social Sciences - led by Prof. Sandra Destradi, DAAD Guest Lecturer at Reichman University, Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy.
Throughout the event, participants were also invited to explore a poster exhibition showcasing selected works by DAAD Israel alumni in recent years — a testament to the impact of their academic and professional contributions.
Looking ahead, we hope to establish the DAAD Alumni Gathering as an annual tradition. It was particularly encouraging to see the strong interest in founding a DAAD Alumni Association in Israel — a step that promises to further strengthen the alumni network and enhance its visibility and engagement.
A heartfelt thank you to all our alumni and partners who helped make this celebration so special. We hope you found the event as enjoyable and inspiring as we did — full of meaningful dialogue and fresh ideas for future alumni initiatives.
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📸 © Dafna Talmon Photography
