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The Jim and Liz Breslauer Bridge was dedicated at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev on Monday in the presence of the benefactors and family and guests from around the world. The Breslauer-Soref Foundation generously supported the construction of the bridge which spans Ben-Gurion Boulevard. The event took place as part of the University’s 45th Board of Governors Meeting being held this week.
The bridge was designed by renowned Israeli architect Ada Karmi-Melamede who also designed the Life Sciences Complex on the Marcus Family Campus and the Health Sciences Complex which the bridge now connects. It is 41 meters long and 1.80 meter wide, with staircases and elevators on both sides. It hovers over the road supported by the construction of the elevator towers. Made of steel and wood, the stairs and the elevators are constructed from fine exposure concrete, similar to the surrounding buildings, to ensure visual unity.
In May 2014, Jim received an honorary doctoral degree from BGU for personally spearheading the development of and funding for Israel’s new Advanced Technologies Park (ATP) in Beer-Sheva. The ATP will become the cyber security center of Israel and a major high-tech hub. The government-academia-industry partnership is the only one of its kind in Israel, and perhaps the world.
The Breslauers funded the bridge with the return on their early investment in the ATP.
“This is about science coming together. New ideas emerging from interdisciplinary research,” BGU President Prof. Rivka Carmi said.
In addition to the symbolism, the bridge serves a practical function, Carmi pointed out, allowing the students to cross a very busy street safely in the absence of a crosswalk.
“Whenever someone asks me what I love best about BGU – I love the students. Talking with them and learning from them, and finding out what makes them tick,” Jim Breslauer said at the ceremony.
“Our family has been part of the BGU family for decades,” he added, “It is an honor and a pleasure that we have the ability to come here.”
“This pedestrian bridge serves literally as a connector between two essential parts of Ben-Gurion University: the Marcus Family Campus and the Campus of the Health Sciences. It will allow pedestrians a safe, transit free, passage,” explained Prof. Amos Katz, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, at the ceremony. “But this bridge will be much more as it will also facilitate a different type of connection between the two campuses, a meeting of minds, practice and expertise. I am certain that by fostering the connection between the two campuses we can expect even more innovative, ground breaking, collaborations.”
Jim Breslauer currently serves as chairman of the Breslauer-Soref Foundation and sits on a number of local, national and international boards, including: the World Union for Progressive Judaism North American Council; Ronald McDonald House of Long Beach; Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Long Beach (past president); the Orange County Community Housing Corporation Advisory Board; the Jewish Federation of Greater Long Beach (past president); and The Washington Institute for Near East Policy.
He and Liz live in Long Beach, California.
