European Committee hosts annual dinner in Zurich

About 140 philanthropists and friends from Europe gathered on January 11 at the Hotel Baur au Lac in Zurich for the annual gala dinner of the European Committee of the Weizmann Institute of Science (ECWIS). Participants from ECWIS societies celebrated the strong bond between Institute scientists and their supporters in Europe. As a special tribute, the Swiss Society of Friends was honored for its role in the establishment of the Swiss Society Institute for Cancer Prevention Research at the Moross Integrated Cancer Center on campus.

Mr. Bob Drake, Chairman of ECWIS, opened the evening and H.E. Mr. Jacob Keidar, Israel’s ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, greeted the guests and shared his personal experiences with malaria patients during his service as Israel’s ambassador in Kenya and east Africa. Prof. Daniel Zajfman, President of the Weizmann Institute, described new developments on campus, with a specific focus on advancing science literacy. Keynote speaker Dr. Neta Regev- Rudzki from the Department of Biomolecular Science described her research on malaria.

A musical interlude of classical and Jewish Ladino songs was performed by the talented flute player Tama Lalo, accompanied by Mrs. Sara Agueda on the harp.