PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF A4BGU

26 | AUGUST 8 • 2024 
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lon Jacobs, an engineering student at 
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev 
(BGU) who was wounded during his 
IDF reserve duty in Gaza, recently spoke at 
Temple Israel during an event that demonstrat-
ed Israel’s resilience in its recovery and rebuild-
ing efforts following the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist 
attacks.
Jacobs, 26, of Hod Hasharon, who studies 
industrial engineering and management at 
BGU, was the featured speaker at “Remarkable 
Resilience and the Way Forward,” hosted 
by Americans for Ben-Gurion University 
(A4BGU) at the West Bloomfield synagogue.
He served in the IDF special forces’ Egoz 
Unit from 2016-2019; and has served in the 
reserves for the last four years. He was called 
up for active duty on the morning of Oct. 7 and 
spent several days helping to secure the kibbut-
zim that were attacked by Hamas. Jacobs sub-
sequently completed five cycles in Gaza before 
sustaining injuries. Despite his challenges, he 
has since resumed his studies at BGU.
BGU’s community has been disproportion-
ately impacted by the Oct. 7 atrocities com-
pared to other universities in Israel, in terms of 
the number of students, faculty and staff who 
were killed, wounded, kidnapped and called 
to reserve duty. And yet, BGU is simultane-

ously rising to the challenges of this moment 
by spearheading the nation’s rebuilding and 
recovery.
“Our event powerfully demonstrated just 
how vital Ben-Gurion University has been to 
Israel’s remarkable resilience in the aftermath of 
Oct. 7,” said Doug Seserman, CEO of A4BGU. 
“
At the same time, as the anchor institution 
and engine for growth in the Negev, BGU rep-
resents the way forward for both the region and 
the entire nation.” 

Wounded Student-
Reservist Demonstrates 
Israel’s Resilience 

From left to right: Jeff Kaye, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) Vice 
President for Public Affairs and Resource Development; Ari Steinberg, Senior 
Director of Development at Americans for Ben-Gurion University (A4BGU); Alon 
Jacobs, IDF reservist and engineering student at BGU; Sheryl Korelitz, manager, 
Programs & Experiences at A4BGU; and Rachel Morof, Associate Director of 
Development at A4BGU, at Adat Shalom Synagogue on June 18.

Attendees at “Remarkable Resilience and the Way Forward,” 
hosted by Americans for Ben-Gurion University at Temple 
Israel on June 19.

Jeff Kaye, Ben-Gurion University 
of the Negev’s Vice President 
for Public Affairs and Resource 
Development, speaks at Adat 
Shalom Synagogue on June 18.

Alon Jacobs, 
IDF reservist 
and engineer-
ing student at 
Ben-Gurion 
University of 
the Negev, at 
Steve’s Deli 
in Bloomfield 
Township.

faces&places