About Us
Mission | Leadership | Our History | Campus Chapters | What Makes Kalaniyot Unique
Faculty-led campus communities
Many universities have seen an increase in hostility aimed at anyone with ties to Israel. Kalaniyot is a faculty-driven effort to reverse these trends and return universities to their core purpose of being a welcoming place for students and scholars of all backgrounds.
Our Mission
To advance academic excellence by deepening ties with Israeli scholars and building a supportive campus community.
Our Vision
University researchers cooperate to advance knowledge without regard to their national, ethnic or religious background.
Leadership
Ernest Fraenkel, PhD
Grover M. Hermann Professor in Health Sciences and Technology, MIT
Founder of Kalaniyot
Or Hen, PhD
Class of 1956 CD Associate Professor of Physics and associate director of the Laboratory for Nuclear Science, MIT
Founder of Kalaniyot
Dan Rockmore, PhD
William H. Neukom 1964 Professor of Computational Science and Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science, Dartmouth College
Naama Kanarek, PhD
Assistant Professor, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Our History
A small group of Jewish faculty at MIT gathered shortly after October 7, recognizing the challenges to come and the need for a proactive, faculty-led support system on campus, planting the seeds of Kalaniyot. In March of 2024, several of them traveled to Israel, meeting with presidents of Israeli universities, as well as Israeli President Isaac Herzog and US Ambassador Jack Lew. These exchanges highlighted both the challenges and aspirations within Israeli academia. The MIT faculty soon connected with like-minded scholars at other universities to form an organization with Kalaniyot chapters officially formed at many top universities internationally. The Kalaniyot Foundation received its official 501(c)(3) status in Fall 2025.
Campus Chapters
Universities across the United States can become a Kalaniyot site. Learn more about our individual chapters, including their individual programming, leadership, and activities.
What Makes Kalaniyot Unique
Kalaniyot is a faculty-led program that was developed at MIT, in close consultation with university administration, and has since spread to peer institutions across the world.
A Virtuous Cycle
In keeping with Kalaniyot’s dual mission, Israeli scholars supported by Kalaniyot are selected for two qualities: academic excellence and community spirit. Kalaniyot scholars join and strengthen campus communities around the world supporting collaboration with Israeli scholars. They also develop research and social ties to individuals on campus without any prior exposure to Israel, amplifying the scholars’ local and global impact and strengthening the university’s mission of research, education, and entrepreneurship. Kalaniyot will provide generous incentives to encourage participants to return to Israel and continue collaborating with their peers.
About Our Name
Kalaniyot (pronounced Ka-la-nee-yought) (kaˈla.niˌjɔt in IPA)
Often regarded as Israel’s national flower, the red blossoms of kalaniyot (Anemone coronaria) mark the rejuvenation of the southern deserts of Israel following winter rains. Similarly, the Kalaniyot program marks the rejuvenation of campuses following the events of October 7, 2023.