IN MEMORIAM - Abraham Ben-Naftali

The Weizmann Institute lost a dear friend and pillar of its lay leadership when Abraham Ben-Naftali passed away in January 2024 at the age of 88.

A corporate lawyer by profession, Abraham was also a devoted philanthropist, supporting numerous cultural and educational causes throughout Israel. He held the Institute very close to his heart, championing Weizmann research with great affection and dedication. His investment in the Weizmann community went far beyond his personal generosity and friendship.

For almost 30 years, starting in 1995 when he was first invited to join the Board of Governors, he willingly took on leadership roles. He served as Chair of the Executive Council from 2002-2008 and as Chair of the International Board from 2014-2017, making him the only Israeli who has headed the International Board and the only person to have served as Chair of both organs.Abraham was also a Board Member of the Israeli Friends of the Weizmann Institute of Science for many years and served on its Finance Committee.

Executive Board Chair Shimshon Harel, a long-time friend and colleague, describes Abraham as a diligent and devoted community member who never said “no” to any opportunity to lend his legal knowledge, insight, and life experience—as well as his knowledge of the business world—whenever needed.

“He served on multiple standing and permanent committees of the Board, as well as many ad hoc committees formed to address specific issues such as salary disputes or termination packages,” Shimshon says. “In my six years as Chair of the Executive Board, I consulted him nearly every day. I trusted his opinion.”

Thoroughly versed in the Weizmann Institute’s governing rules and regulations, Abraham combined his knowledge of law and business to resolve difficulties in a manner that aligned with the Weizmann ethos.

“He made complicated things simple,” Shimshon recalls.

Through Abraham’s contacts at the Foundation for Higher Education and Culture, the organization has lent generous support to the Weizmann Institute over the years. This includes funding for new scientists and projects in physics, alternative energy, and neuroscience, as well as a variety of educational initiatives including the Davidson Institute of Science Education’s pre-military academy in Ofakim and the Personalized Teaching and Learning (PeTeL) initiative developed by the Department of Science Teaching.

Most recently, the Foundation supported the Weizmann Institute’s groundbreaking AI Teaching Initiative, which trains high school computer science teachers in using an artificial intelligence curriculum.

Deeply appreciative of Abraham’s commitment to advancing scientific work at Weizmann by expanding its international circle of friends and opening new opportunities for philanthropy, the Institute Board, management, and Scientific Council were proud to award him the PhD honoris causa degree in 2009. In 2022, he was inducted into the President’s Circle. Upon his induction, he emphasized his belief in the need to strive for excellence in both science and philosophy.

When Abraham stepped down as Chair of the Board in December 2017, then-President of the Institute Prof. Daniel Zajfman, who had worked closely with Abraham for many years, described him as “a renaissance man, the ultimate gentleman. The values that Abraham represents and the values that the Weizmann Institute represents are the same: trust, excellence, and never giving up on your goals.”