Opening of the Hebrew University, 1925
In this photograph Lord Balfour can be seen addressing the audience at the official opening of the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus in Jerusalem. Balfour, dressed in academic robes, is standing on the platform in the centre of the picture, facing a large audience. Behind him are official dignitaries such as Rabbi Hertz (chief rabbi of Britain), Rabbi Kook (chief rabbi of Israel), General Allenby, Chaim Weitzman, Chaim Nachman Bialik, and Lord James de Rothschild. The members of the audience are dressed in the formal clothes that befit such a ceremony. There is a white tent in the background adorned with a Magen David—possibly a first aid tent with a red Magen David to replace the usual red cross.
This photograph was taken at the opening of the Mount Scopus campus of the Hebrew University in 1925. There were numerous discussions at the end of the nineteenth century regarding the establishment of an academic centre in Jerusalem. The first concrete plans for a Jewish university were presented by the Russian mathematician Zvi Hermann Shapira in 1897 at the First Zionist Congress. In 1902, Chaim Weizmann, Martin Buber, and Berthold Feivel published a pamphlet outlining the principles for establishing a university of the Jewish people. Eventually, in 1913, the Eleventh Zionist Congress decided to establish a university in Jerusalem with Hebrew as its language of instruction.
In 1918, the World Zionist Organization received permission from the British to lay the cornerstone for the university. It was decided to place twelve stones, one for each of the tribes of Israel, but in reality even more stones were placed in a ceremony at the Gray Hill Estate on Mount Scopus. In 1923, Nobel Laureate Albert Einstein, enthusiastic about the establishment of a university in the Land of Israel, visited Mount Scopus and delivered a lecture on the theory of relativity; the first scientific lecture to be delivered at the young Hebrew University.
The formal opening of the university in 1925 was a grand affair, and a number of visitors made the journey to Palestine in order to participate. In addition to Lord Balfour the audience was also addressed by Rabbi Kook, whose passionate comments about the place of secular study within the lexicon of Jewish ideas caused many ultra-orthodox rabbis to shun him and publicly criticise his views.
In addition to the ceremony at the Hebrew University, Lord Balfour visited many other places during his visit to Israel, including Tel Aviv, the Galilee and Balfouriyya, a moshav that had been established five years earlier.
Relevant links
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The Balfour Declaration, History.com
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A Brief History of The Hebrew University, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
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The Opening of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, The Central Zionist Archives
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Rare Footage Shows Lord Balfour Opening the Hebrew University, British Pathé, YouTube
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Rabbi Kook’s Hebrew University Invocation/ Ari Z. Zivotofsky, Jewish Action
Teaching Suggestions
This photograph could be shown in Jewish History lessons when discussing the Balfour Declaration and Lord Balfour’s connection with Israel throughout the remainder of his life. Teachers could also show this photograph when discussion British and Jewish relations.
It could also be used in a geography or civics lesson discussing the opening of the first university in Israel as a significant step towards building the necessary institutions required by a state.
Religious Studies teachers could use this source to discuss the conflict regarding Rabbi Kook’s words at the opening of the Hebrew University.
Discussion Points
Observations
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When was this photo taken?
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What is taking place in the photo?
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Who can be seen in the photo?
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How are people dressed in the photo?
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Describe the area behind the stage.
Reading Between the Lines
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Why was the opening of the Hebrew University such a special and important event for Jews around the world?
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Who were the famous people that were present at the ceremony?
Why were so many different people invited to participate? -
Why was Lord Balfour the guest of honour?
Connections
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Would the opening of a university in Israel today gain the same amount of attention?
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What are the important institutions that make a state?
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Search for images and information about the Hebrew University. How has it changed since its early days?
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Do you know anyone who studied at the Hebrew University?
When did they study there?
What were their experiences?
Creative Ideas
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Write a letter from the university leadership to Lord Balfour inviting him to speak at the official opening of the Hebrew University.
