The Israel Pollak Distinguished Lecture Series

Israel Pollak – A Man of Vision and Action

The Israel Pollak Lecture Fund was established at the Technion in February 1996, thanks to the donation from the Edith and Israel Pollak Fund. It is dedicated to promoting and developing scientific and technological relationships between the Technion and the international scientific, technological and industrial community.

Monies from the fund are used to sponsor a series of lectures in memory of the late Israel Pollak. These lectures are held at the Technion three to four times a year by renowned guest lecturers, scientists who have won prestigious international prizes and demonstrated outstanding achievements in engineering or industrial development, academics in the fields of science or engineering, and/or international figures from the industry. Some of the lectures are designed for experts in different fields, and others are for students and faculty members from the Technion, other academic institutions and the industry.

The late Israel Pollak was a shining example of a person who dedicated his life to the State of Israel. He manifested his Zionism through his contribution to the economy, society, and the country. In appreciation for his work, he was awarded the Israel Prize in 1990. In recognition of his contribution to the Technion, in 1993 he was conferred the degree of Honorary Doctor – a degree he received posthumously.

Until recently, Mrs. Rachel Pollak headed the Edith and Israel Pollak Fund, which provides the financial support for the Israel Pollak Distinguished Lecture Series. In 2005, the Technion granted Mrs. Pollak an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of her work to preserve and grow the family tradition of supporting education and society, thus preserving her husband’s legacy; in appreciation for her efforts to develop and strengthen the ties between the international scientific community and the Technion; and in appreciation for her encouragement and assistance to the Technion Center for Preuniversity Education.

Due to Mrs. Pollack poor health, her daughter, Michelle Pollak, expressed her desire to continue the relationship with the Technion and follow in her mother’s footsteps. The Technion Society is in contact with both Michelle and her mother.