Zuckerman “Esprit de Corps”

Zuckerman scholars gathered in Jerusalem last week for a professional and social day to explore the best of the city’s academic, historic and archaeological sites.

The day began with a visit to Zuckerman Faculty Scholar Yaron Bromberg’s state-of-the-art Complex Photonic Lab at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The lab explores how light interacts with complex photonic systems, such as scattering media, disordered multimode fibers, aperiodic photonic crystals and more.

The scholars enjoyed a lunchtime briefing and discussion with US Embassy officials Wendy Nassmacher, Chief for Environment, Science, Technology and Health, and Ellen Schister, of the Public Diplomacy Department.

The day continued with a visit to the Old City’s Western Wall Heritage Center, where the group watched the Chanukkah lighting ceremony at the Kotel from the Center’s rooftop.  The group enjoyed a nighttime walking tour of the Old City’s Jewish Quarter to see the beautiful sight of dozens of chanukiyot (menorahs)  lit in Jewish Quarter windows and doorways creating a magical, illuminated atmosphere throughout the historic streets.

The group also visited the Christian Quarter and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher to welcome the Christmas season in Jerusalem.

The day concluded with a special informal dinner at the historic Anna Ticho House.

It was an exceptional day of professional and social networking, a key part of the Zuckerman STEM Scholars Program, time out from the lab to explore some of Israel’s most unique places.

Zuckerman Faculty scholars were joined by their kids (future STEM leaders) for the Hannukah lighting ceremony.