Growing up in a Jewish and Zionistic household in Leeds, Israel has always felt like a second home to Benjamin Stowe, a family lawyer who now lives in London with his wife and two daughters. When he decided to enroll in an Ulpan in Israel in 2007, the Hebrew University was his first and only choice. Since then, Ben has become increasingly involved in supporting the University, later becoming the youngest trustee of the British Friends of the Hebrew University and a newly appointed Hebrew University governor. Now, he is heading the LEAD UK delegation to Israel in June 2025 as part of the 100-year celebration of the Hebrew University.ar celebration of the Hebrew University.
This is his story, the second in the A Legacy of Devotion: The UK’s Lifelong Bond with the Hebrew University series.
What was your first encounter with the Hebrew University?
In the summer of 2007, when I attended an Ulpan at the Rothberg International School before beginning my law degree at Leeds University. I had visited Israel nearly every year of my life to that point, including for my bar mitzvah in Jerusalem and the right of passage for most 16 year old British Jewish kids, Israel Tour with FZY, but the summer of 2007 was different. For the first time, I truly connected with Israel—not just as a place I visited, but as a place I lived, learned and grew.
Spending those months at the Hebrew University must have had a profound impact. How did that shape your ongoing relationship with the university?
Spending those months immersed in Hebrew, exploring Jerusalem, and meeting fascinating people from all over the world was transformative. Walking through the Mount Scopus campus was like stepping into history—whether standing in the breathtaking Rothberg Amphitheatre, wandering through the Botanical Gardens, or passing by the Faculty of Law and the Nancy Reagan Plaza, every corner of the campus carried a sense of beauty, purpose and legacy. It was there, on Mount Scopus, that my deep and lasting bond with the Hebrew University began—a connection that has only grown stronger with each passing year.
How did that transformative experience inspire your continued involvement with the university?
That unforgettable summer didn’t just shape my love for the University—it set me on a path of ongoing involvement. After the Ulpan, I became an active supporter of the Hebrew University through the British Friends, eventually being elected Chair of the Young Professionals Group in 2016. In 2021, I took on the role of trustee for the British Friends, and in 2024, I was honoured to be appointed to the University’s Board of Governors. What started as a summer course became a lifelong journey—one that continues to inspire me to this day.
BFHU Gala Dinner
Describe a standout memory or moment that left a lasting impression on you at the University?
Choosing just one standout memory from my time at the Hebrew University is an impossible task but I’ll try: One of the most unexpected yet fascinating moments came during the 2023 Board of Governors trip to Israel, when we visited the Rehovot campus. The campus is more like a farm or kibbutz than a college campus. I met Professor Zvi Peleg from the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment whose groundbreaking research on sesame cultivation left me in awe. He explained how he had genetically transformed the sesame plant, turning it from a low-yield, difficult-to-harvest crop into a super high-yield, machine-harvestable one. And the best part? I got to taste the fruits of this innovation—sesame oil and tahini made from his specially cultivated seeds, produced in the Arab village of Abu Gosh, famous for making the world’s best tahini. Science, agriculture, and culinary excellence all came together in one unforgettable experience.
And another one?
That same trip held another magical moment: attending the postgraduate convocation at the Rothberg Amphitheatre. If you’ve never been, imagine this—on one side, the timeless beauty of Jerusalem’s Old City; on the other, on a clear day, a breathtaking view stretching all the way to the Dead Sea. It was a setting fit for celebration, where families and friends from across Israel and the world came together, united in pride and joy for the graduates. The atmosphere was electric, a true testament to the University’s diversity and spirit of unity.
Fast forward to 2024, and my next Board of Governors trip took on a far deeper significance. It was the first after the tragic events of October 7th, and we travelled to the South, to the Gaza envelope, where communities had been devastated. At a school in Ofakim, I witnessed firsthand how the Hebrew University was stepping up—not just as Israel’s top university but as a pillar of resilience and hope. The Psychology Department had practically set up a satellite campus in the region, providing trauma therapy, counselling, and legal aid to those who needed it most. It was a stark reminder that the University isn’t just about academia; it’s about people, impact, and rebuilding lives.
And that, in the end, is what makes my time supporting the Hebrew University both on campus in Israel and in London through the British Friends so unforgettable. It’s the people I’ve met along the way. It’s the conversations, the shared moments, the stories of innovation and resilience that make this University not just a place of learning, but a place of inspiration.
Is there a particular project or initiative at the University that holds special meaning for you?
As a lawyer by trade, I am proud of the Law Faculty’s reputation and its legal clinic. The Law Faculty is ranked the number 1 in Israel and one of the top Law School’s globally. The best lawyers and jurists including at the Israeli Supreme Court in Israel often started their career at the Hebrew U. This excellence transcends into the outreach programme, and I am always amazed by the work done by the Law Faculty’s legal clinic. I sit also on the Legal Group of the British Friends, chaired by Lord Pannick. Thanks to the annual Lionel Cohen lecture series there has been for decades and continues to be a strong bond between the English and Israel judiciaries.
Through the efforts of the Legal Group, funds are often raised for the pro bono law clinics across Jerusalem bringing access to legal redress to many disenfranchised communities. A few examples are:
- Rights of People with Disabilities Clinic has helped individuals with disabilities secure housing, employment rights, and access to education. They have successfully petitioned government bodies to enforce accessibility laws in public spaces.
- The Gender and Law Clinic has fought legal battles to protect victims of domestic violence, assisting women in obtaining restraining orders and access to shelters. This mirrors some of my work at home in London working at the Legal Clinic for Jewish Women’s Aid.
- The Criminal Justice Clinic has worked on cases of wrongful convictions and police misconduct, ensuring that defendants receive fair trials and proper representation.
Ben Stowe congratulates Sir Jonathan Cohen at the Honorary Fellowships Ceremony at the Hebrew University’s Board gathering 2023
How do you envision the Hebrew University in the next decade or two?
Expanding its global reach, making its world-class education even more accessible. I hope to see more courses offered in English—not just at the postgraduate level, but also at the undergraduate level—attracting top talent from around the world.
I also see the University strengthening its international collaborations, building on its partnerships with leading institutions in Sweden, Canada, and Singapore. As a Brit, I would love to see deeper academic ties between the Hebrew University and the UK’s top universities, fostering groundbreaking research and innovation.
The university has faced many challenges since the war began. How can challenges be turned into opportunities?
At a time when too many academic institutions in the UK, Europe, and the US have turned against Israel—fuelling division instead of dialogue—I hope the Hebrew University will do the opposite: embrace more partnerships, more academic exchanges and more collaboration. True academia is about expanding knowledge, uncovering truth, and improving the human condition, and I believe the Hebrew University (and Israel more widely) will continue to lead by example.
HU Young Professionals event at the Israeli Ambassador’s residence
Can HU play a role in Israeli society?
Yes of course it can and arguably already does, especially in terms of promoting pluralism, strengthening civil society and fostering social cohesion.
The Hebrew University serves as a space where diverse voices and perspectives are heard, providing a platform for dialogue and understanding among different social, cultural and religious groups. With Israel’s complex demographic composition, including Jews, Arabs, Druze and other minorities, the University fosters discussions about shared values, common challenges and opportunities for collaboration. It also promotes pluralism in academia by encouraging research that respects and celebrates the diversity of Israeli society.
The Hebrew University has a unique position in Jerusalem, a city that holds profound significance for multiple faiths. It can be a centre for promoting dialogue between Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities – led by Professor Mona Khoury – which is essential for healing divisions and building mutual respect. The University is committed to inclusivity, harmony and tolerance within its diverse student body.
The Hebrew University has made strides in promoting inclusivity and social mobility. What stands out most to you about these efforts?
About 16% of the University’s 24,000 students are Arabs, about half of them Palestinians from East Jerusalem. This reality is the result of extensive efforts by the University and I am sure those efforts will continue notwithstanding the challenges in the region. I am a firm believer higher education is a driver for social mobility.
Many of Hebrew University’s faculty are engaged in research related to social justice, including poverty alleviation, women’s rights and minority rights. By championing these issues, the university helps bring them to the forefront of national discourse. One example is providing East Jerusalemites with a comprehensive, one-year, free of charge preparatory programme by the University, in which they acquire proficiency in Hebrew and English languages, as well as knowledge in science and social studies. The goal of the programme, which attracts 500 students a year, is to provide them with opportunities for growth and development that otherwise would not be available to them.
What role do you see the Hebrew University playing in the global academic community?
I hope a significant one, especially following the tragic events of 7th October and in light of the threats of academic boycotts, which were met bravely and professionally through the efforts of Professor Netta Barak-Corren from the Faculty of Law and former rector Barak Medina. If one puts the narrow minded and often misinformed attempts to boycott Israeli academic institutions to one side and instead focuses on what is actually happening on the ground it is clear for all to see that the Hebrew University can and should have a profound impact on the global academic community. From my time on campus, it is clear the University has extensive international partnerships with other leading universities, think tanks and research institutions worldwide. This interconnectedness promotes knowledge exchange, cross-cultural dialogue, and access to global funding for scientific endeavours.
The university is also a central player in Israel’s well-known startup ecosystem, through its Yissum programme, contributing to technological innovations, especially in fields like cybersecurity, biotechnology and environmental sustainability. It regularly collaborates with the tech industry and governmental bodies to address global challenges.
Student Lunch at the International Gathering 2024, Maxim Dinshtein Photography
When you think of the Hebrew University, what feelings or thoughts come to mind?
Mainly pride: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem often evokes thoughts of academic excellence (Albert Einstein!), deep historical roots and a prominent place in Israeli and global education. As Israel’s first university, it has a rich legacy and is rightly seen as a centre for groundbreaking research and intellectual growth, attracting scholars and students from all over the world. It stands as the very best example of what Israel as to offer, not only to its people, but also the world.
I also think of its stunning campus, particularly the view from Mount Scopus, and the cultural and historical context of Jerusalem, with its layers of significance in religion, politics and history. It is, for me, one of the beautiful and inspiring places in the world.
Does your family follow in your footsteps?
Both my wife and two daughters have started to build a connection with Israel and I hope one day they will see for themselves what the Hebrew University has to offer by either studying at the Hebrew University or continuing in my footsteps with the British Friends.
From a personal perspective, what benefits have you gained from your bond with HU?
Because of my role as member of the Board of Governors and regular trips to campus that I have started to learn Ivrit. It serves not only a practical purpose in allowing me to converse with friends and colleagues on campus but also for me it serves as a bridge to connect with Israel and the Hebrew University on a deeper level.