The Kalaniyot Foundation
The Kalaniyot Foundation is the national umbrella organization for a collection of Kalaniyot-affiliated Universities supporting faculty-led initiatives (Kalaniyot chapters) to advance academic excellence by deepening ties with Israeli researchers and building a supportive campus community.
Support the Kalaniyot Foundation
Inquiries
Kalaniyot was created in the aftermath of October 7 by faculty who realized their roles at the university had to grow
Kalaniyot is a network of faculty-led efforts focusing on restoring universities to their core mission of advancing knowledge through the contributions of scholars and students without regard to national, religious or ethnic origin. Our positive approach is designed to have a long-term impact and is easy for universities to formally embrace, as has already been done by MIT, our inaugural campus.
Kalaniyot focuses on two self-reinforcing goals:
Strengthening US-Israel university research collaborations
By creating enduring partnerships with leading Israeli researchers whose expertise and innovations advance research, education, and entrepreneurship, Kalaniyot strengthens the academic landscape. This is accomplished by providing prestigious fellowships to distinguished Israeli postdoctoral researchers and sabbatical scholars, enabling them to come to US universities to advance their research and form robust and long-lasting partnerships. Seed funding will allow researchers to maintain the collaborations they established in the US when they return to Israel.
Supporting campus community
Kalaniyot seeks to build personal ties across academic ranks and backgrounds to support Israelis and their allies on campuses. To accomplish this, Kalaniyot faculty host weekly luncheons at their universities that foster community and resilience, welcoming Israelis and allies alike. These gatherings offer vital support, reflection, and connection, connecting faculty with postdocs, students, and staff, helping Jews and Israelis feel welcome on campus and leading to new academic partnerships across disciplines.
Our Values
- Respectful co-existence: Living, learning, and working together alongside disagreements,
- Mission focus: Focusing on the university mission of research, education, and entrepreneurship,
- Excellence: Focusing on academic accomplishments and academic entrepreneurship,
- Open collaboration: international open academic collaborations with leading institutions around the world.
"Kalaniyot forged a community that was not there before. To me, this made a huge difference, it allowed me to return to work and get the resources and support that I needed."
Sivan,
MIT Postdoctoral Scholar 2023/24 Alumn
News & Events
Kalaniyot Co-Founders Share Their Mission on “People of the Pod”
The Kalaniyot Foundation co-founders Dr. Ernest Fraenkel and Dr. Or Hen recently appeared on American Jewish Committee's award-winning podcast "People of the Pod" to discuss Kalaniyot, focusing on the challenges post-October 7, building community through connection,...