This highly competitive fellowship is a testament to the exceptional research and academic contributions of both scholars. The Institute for Advanced Study, located in Princeton, New Jersey, is renowned for fostering transformative research and intellectual inquiry across various disciplines.

Dr. Orit Raz and Prof. Ari Shnidman will join a select group of scholars from around the world at the IAS. During their fellowship, they will have the opportunity to pursue their groundbreaking research in a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment.

Dr. Orit Raz specializes in discrete geometry and combinatorics, focusing on nonlinear projections and the discretized polynomial partition theorem. Her research advances mathematical understanding in areas with applications in computer science, data analysis, and related disciplines.

Prof. Ari Shnidman specializes in number theory and arithmetic geometry, with a focus on automorphic forms, the arithmetic of curves, and Jacobians. His work aims to deepen our understanding of these complex mathematical concepts and has been recognized for his research in advancing both theoretical mathematics and its practical applications.

Prof. Asher Cohen, President of Hebrew University stated, "We are immensely proud of Dr. Raz and Prof. Shnidman for receiving this prestigious recognition. Their selection as IAS Members not only highlights their individual accomplishments but also underscores the world-class research being conducted at Hebrew University."

The IAS has a distinguished history, having hosted numerous Nobel laureates, Fields Medalists, and other eminent scholars, including Albert Einstein and J. Robert Oppenheimer. The inclusion of Dr. Raz and Prof. Shnidman in this esteemed group further solidifies Hebrew University's position as a leading institution in global academia.

Hebrew University congratulates Dr. Orit Raz and Prof. Ari Shnidman on this remarkable achievement and looks forward to the innovative research that will undoubtedly emerge from their time at the Institute for Advanced Study.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 23,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 81^st according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en

credit for the photo : Yonit Schiller

The research shows that parents' emotional and cognitive processes can greatly influence their interactions with their children during homework time. By studying 101 Israeli parents and their elementary-aged children, the researchers identified factors that can either help or hinder the support parents provide at home.

Children usually spend about 1 to 2 hours a day on homework, but this varies with age and school demands. Many parents find it challenging to balance their own responsibilities while supporting their children academically, which can lead to stress and conflict. Improving this dynamic is crucial.

One key finding is the role of parental mentalization—the ability to perceive and interpret their children’s thoughts and feelings. Parents who are good at mentalization are more supportive and less controlling, creating a better homework environment that can boosts children’s independent learning and motivation. Conversely, parents who struggle with managing their emotions tend to express negative behaviors, like frustration or discouragement, which can make homework stressful and curtail their child’s engagement.

"Our research sheds light on how parents’ emotional and mental  processes impact their involvement in their children’s education," explained Dr. Gershy. "Understanding these factors can help develop strategies that improve parent-child interactions during homework, and hence increase parental ability to support and encourage their children’s learning ."

Practical applications of these findings could include parent training programs and educational strategies to improve parents’ awareness of their emotional states and mentalization skills, aiming to enhance parental support and foster better academic outcomes and relationship.

The research paper titled “Why Things Can Go Wrong When Parents Try to Help Children With Their Homework: The Role of Parental Emotion Regulation and Mentalization” is now available at Journal of Educational Psychology and can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1037/edu0000873.

Researchers:

Racheli Cohen¹, Naama Gershy¹, Maayan Davidov²

Institution:

1. The Seymour Fox School of Education, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
2. The Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 23,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 81st according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en

"At Hebrew University, we are immensely proud of the outstanding achievements of these five exceptional researchers. Their work embodies the spirit of innovation and rigorous inquiry that defines our academic community. The prestigious ERC Starting Grants they have received are a testament to their dedication and the groundbreaking nature of their research. We look forward to witnessing the profound impact their studies will have on their respective fields and beyond." — Prof. Tamir Sheafer, Rector of Hebrew University

The recipients from Hebrew University are:

Dr. Karma Ben Johanan, from the Department of Comparative Religion, for her research titled "Christosemitism: Christian Anti-antisemitism in Europe, 1945-2020." This study explores the Christian rejection of antisemitism in post-World War II Europe, as it is expressed in theological, institutional and liturgical changes. Dr. Ben Johanan's work examines the Christian struggle against antisemitism against the backdrop of Western Christianity’s re-crystallization, in light of processes of secularization, decolonization, and the shift of Christianity's center of gravity from the West to the Global South.

Dr. Moran Frankel Pinter, from the Institute of Chemistry, for her research on the chemical origins of life, which seeks to bridge the gap between contemporary biochemistry and the chemical principles that led to life on Earth. Her ERC project focuses on characterizing how simple sugars, which were present on ancient Earth, combined to form functional catalytic polymers capable of self-assembly. Additionally, she investigates the role of these sugars in the emergence of complex catalytic chemical networks.

Dr. Ilan Komargodski, from the School of Engineering and Computer Science, for his research on fast and secure communication protocols. His work centers on the fundamentals of cryptography, with a focus on developing distributed communication protocols that ensure safety and privacy, protecting users from information leakage. His research in large-scale communication networks represents an area with potentially groundbreaking applications.  Dr. Komargodski aims to deepen existing knowledge and uncover new approaches for secure computations involving vast numbers of participants and large volumes of information, a setting that is still relatively new and whose full applicability is not yet fully understood.

Dr. Noam Lifshitz, from the Einstein Institute of Mathematics, for his research in the analysis of Boolean functions, which take a string of zeros and ones as input and output either zero or one. Although Boolean functions are combinatorial objects, their study in this field utilizes tools from Fourier analysis, with "hypercontractivity" being one of the main techniques. His proposal aims to apply this tool in the context of group theory and representation theory, which focus on the study of symmetries.

Dr. Gideon Mamou, from the Faculty of Medicine, for his research on the structure of the bacterial envelope and its role in protecting against antibiotics. His work focuses on the multi-layered envelope that shields the bacterial cell, enabling it to withstand antibiotic treatments. While many components of this envelope have been identified, the understanding of their interrelationships remains limited. Dr. Mamou aims to deepen the understanding of how the cell coordinates the construction of all the envelope components and to uncover interactions within the envelope that contribute to its capability to protect against antibacterial substances.

Dr. Karma Ben Johanan | Credit: Assaf Feldman

Dr. Moran Frankel Pinter | Credit: Ariel Van Straten

Dr. Ilan Komargodski | Credit Ilan Komargodski

Dr. Noam Lifshitz | Credit: Martine Lanotte

Dr. Gideon Mamou | Credit Gideon Mamou

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 23,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 81^st according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en

The ERC, set up by the European Union in 2007, is the premier European funding organisation for excellent frontier research. It funds creative researchers of any nationality and age, to run projects based across Europe. The ERC offers four core grant schemes: Starting Grants, Consolidator Grants, Advanced Grants and Synergy Grants. With its additional Proof of Concept Grant scheme, the ERC helps grantees to bridge the gap between their pioneering research and early phases of its commercialisation. The ERC is led by an independent governing body, the Scientific Council.

A new study led by Prof. Ilan Matok and Hely Bassalov PharmD from the Department of Clinical Pharmacy at the School of Pharmacy in the Faculty of Medicine at Hebrew University in collaboration with Prof. Omer Bonne and Dr. Noa Yakirevich-Amir from the Department of Psychiatry at the Hadassah Medical Center, sheds light on the potential long-term neuropsychiatric risks associated with prenatal cannabis exposure. As the global trend toward cannabis legalization continues, the prevalence of cannabis use among pregnant women is on the rise, raising concerns about its impact on fetal development.

The study, a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis involving over 500,000 participants from observational studies, aimed to assess the potential risks posed by prenatal exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. THC is known to cross the placenta, potentially affecting the developing fetal brain.

The results of the study provide a nuanced understanding of the potential risks. Most notably, the findings indicate no significant association between prenatal cannabis exposure and an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), psychotic symptoms, anxiety, or depression in offspring. However, the study did identify a slight increase in the risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and a heightened vulnerability to cannabis consumption in children exposed to cannabis in utero.

“These findings suggest that while prenatal cannabis exposure does not appear to significantly increase the risk for many neuropsychiatric disorders, there is still a mild increase in the risk for ADHD and a greater likelihood of cannabis use in the offspring,” said Prof. Matok. “This calls for cautious interpretation, as it does not confirm the safety of cannabis consumption during pregnancy.”

The study emphasizes the importance of continued research in this area, especially given that most of the studies on the subject were conducted between the 1980s and early 2000s, when cannabis was characterized by considerably lower Δ9-THC content than currently used compounds. Thus, findings presented in the current study may potentially underestimate the impact of contemporary prenatal cannabis exposure on the long-term neuropsychiatric outcomes.

“While our study provides important insights, it is crucial to recognize that these results are not definitive. Pregnant women should be aware of the potential risks, and healthcare providers should continue to advise caution when it comes to cannabis use during pregnancy,” Prof. Matok added.

This research marks a significant step forward in understanding the complex relationship between prenatal cannabis exposure and neuropsychiatric outcomes in children. As the legal landscape surrounding cannabis continues to evolve, studies like this will be essential in guiding public health recommendations and ensuring the well-being of future generations.

Methodology: The methodology of this systematic review and meta-analysis involved analyzing 18 observational studies, with 17 included in the quantitative analysis, covering 534,445 participants. The review compared neuropsychiatric outcomes in offspring exposed to cannabis prenatally to those unexposed, focusing on conditions such as ADHD, ASD, anxiety, depression, psychotic disorders, and substance use.

The studies spanned from the 1980s to early 2000s, reflecting older cannabis potencies, and included data from multiple countries, with the literature search completed by January 2024.

The research paper titled “Prenatal cannabis exposure and the risk for neuropsychiatric anomalies in the offspring: a systematic review and meta-analysis” is now available at American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and can be accessed at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002937824006823?dgcid=author#sec4 .

Researchers:

Hely Bassalov Pharm¹, Noa Yakirevich-Amir², Inbal Reuveni³, Catherine Monk^4,5, Sharon Florentin², Omer Bonne², Ilan Matok¹

Institution:

1. Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
2. Department of Psychiatry, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
3. Psychiatric Division, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY
5. New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 23,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 81st according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en

Professor Emeritus Michael Edward Stone, Founder of the Chair of Armenian Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a distinguished figure in the field of Armenology, has been awarded the prestigious Medal of Gratitude by the President of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturyan. This esteemed award recognizes Prof. Stone's significant contributions to the development of Armenian studies and his long-term dedication to preserving Armenian culture and heritage.

Prof. Stone, a member of the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities, has authored and edited over 60 books, including numerous translations of Armenian sources. His extensive research also delves into Armenian-Jewish relations and the historical presence of Armenians in the Land of Israel, solidifying his reputation as a preeminent scholar in Armenian studies.

The Medal of Gratitude is one of Armenia's highest state honors, awarded for exemplary achievements in state, economic, social, scientific-technical, and public activities. It is also bestowed upon individuals who have made major personal contributions and demonstrated many years of devotion to promoting the spheres of health, education, and culture.

The award ceremony took place at the President's residence, where President Khachaturyan presented the medals to several distinguished scholars in the field of Armenology, including Prof. Valentina Calzolari Bouvier of the University of Geneva and Prof. Cristina Marantzi of Harvard University, alongside Prof. Stone.

In his address, President Khachaturyan expressed profound gratitude to the awardees for their invaluable contributions to Armenian studies, particularly during a time when the preservation of Armenian historical cultural heritage is of paramount importance. President Khachaturyan further emphasized the critical role that scholars like Prof. Stone play in representing Armenian history and culture on an international stage, ensuring that the world understands and appreciates Armenia's rich heritage.

Prof. Stone's receipt of the Medal of Gratitude underscores his exceptional impact on the field of Armenian studies and his unwavering commitment to the advancement of knowledge and cultural preservation. As a co-founder and honorary president of the International Association for Armenian Studies (AIEA), Prof. Stone has left an indelible mark on the academic community and continues to inspire future generations of scholars.

The Hebrew University continues to offer Armenian and Armenian cultural studies through its Department of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies. This program provides students with the opportunity to explore the rich history, culture, and language of Armenia, fostering a deeper understanding of the Armenian experience in both historical and contemporary contexts.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 23,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes, two Turing Awards a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 81st according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en