A landmark building at Tel Aviv University is set to become a world-class centre for Jewish scholarship, education and cultural preservation following a major philanthropic gift from Australian businesswoman and community leader Eva Selwyn.

Eva Selwyn (photo supplied)

The project will transform a prominent 4,500-square-metre building in the heart of the university’s campus into the Eva Selwyn Building for Jewish Heritage, creating a modern hub dedicated to Jewish learning, research and cultural continuity.

Located near ANU Museum of the Jewish People, the facility will undergo an extensive redevelopment. This will include the refurbishment of lecture theatres and classrooms, upgraded technology and audiovisual systems, and improvements to lighting, air conditioning and other essential infrastructure. The project will also include scholarships and an academic endowment designed to support future generations of students and researchers.

University leaders say the initiative represents much more than a building renovation. It is a significant investment in the future of Jewish Studies and reflects a growing commitment to preserving and advancing Jewish heritage at a time of increasing global challenges facing Jewish communities.

Tel Aviv University is internationally recognised for its leadership in Jewish Studies, with scholars conducting research across a broad range of disciplines, including Jewish history, biblical studies, Hebrew and Semitic languages, Talmud and rabbinic literature, Jewish philosophy, Zionism, Israel Studies and biblical archaeology.

The renewed centre will bring together academics and students working across these fields, providing a vibrant environment for teaching, research and intellectual exchange. It will also support scholarship on contemporary issues affecting Jewish life, including antisemitism, Jewish identity, Israel-Diaspora relations and the ongoing relationship between tradition and modernity.

The location of the Selwyn building (photo supplied)

The project further strengthens the university’s partnership with ANU Museum of the Jewish People, reinforcing a shared commitment to preserving Jewish culture, fostering global Jewish connections and ensuring that heritage remains relevant to future generations.

For Selwyn, the initiative continues a family relationship with Tel Aviv University that extends back more than five decades. Her parents, Alan and Ada Selwyn, were among the institution’s most dedicated supporters, contributing to medical research, scholarships and numerous philanthropic initiatives. Alan Selwyn served as a Governor of the university and was awarded an Honorary Fellowship in recognition of his outstanding contribution.

Building on that legacy, Eva Selwyn has supported a range of university projects, from neuro-engineering research and artificial retina development to student scholarships and post-7 October recovery initiatives. The new building adds another dimension to that philanthropic commitment, focusing on the preservation and advancement of Jewish heritage and scholarship.

Selwyn said the project was particularly meaningful at a time when antisemitism was rising around the world and Jewish communities were facing unprecedented challenges.

“This building represents far more than the transformation of a physical space. It is a commitment to preserving our Jewish heritage,” she said.

“My hope is that it will stand as a lasting legacy, inspiring generations of students and scholars with the knowledge, understanding and confidence to carry that heritage forward with pride and dignity, while strengthening Jewish identity and continuity worldwide.”

Tel Aviv University President Professor Ariel Porat described the donation as a transformative investment in the Faculty of Humanities.

“This significant gift will enable us to create a world-class home for Jewish learning and scholarship while strengthening our ability to preserve, explore and pass on the richness of Jewish heritage to future generations,” he said.

A formal groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled to take place during the university’s Board of Governors meeting in May 2027.

When completed, the Eva Selwyn Building for Jewish Heritage will stand as a lasting expression of the university’s commitment to academic excellence, cultural preservation and Jewish continuity, ensuring that the study of Jewish civilisation continues to inform, inspire and strengthen communities around the world.