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Hear Barbra Streisand accept her Honorary Doctorate from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

From: AFHU <AFHU@mail.vresp.com>
Reply-To: AFHU <reply-01febe6994-47cd97e959-aa4c@u.cts.vresp.com>
Date: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 18:37:07 +0000
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Subject: Hear Barbra Streisand accept her Honorary Doctorate from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem

‘I wish the world were more like the hallways of the Hebrew University,’ says Barbra Streisand 

Legendary singer, actress and philanthropist receives honorary doctorate from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Legendary American actress, director, singer, producer, composer, philanthropist and activist Barbra Streisand received an honorary doctor of philosophy degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem today. The ceremony took place at 4 p.m. on the Mount Scopus campus, during the 76th Hebrew University International Board of Governors Meeting.

Following welcomes from the Chairman of the Hebrew University’s Board of Governors, Mr. Michael Federmann, and Prof. Menahem Ben-Sasson, the Hebrew University’s president, the honorary doctorate was presented to Ms. Streisand in recognition of her professional achievements, outstanding humanitarianism, leadership in the realm of human and civil rights, and dedication to Israel and the Jewish people.

An audio recording of Ms. Streisand’s comments is available to news organizations at http://bit.ly/hebrewu_streisand. It is not intended for rebroadcast.

In her comments after receiving the award, Ms. Streisand said, “For close to 30 years, I’ve had a deep connection to the Hebrew University. It’s not only home to a diverse population of some of Israel’s best and brightest students, but it also houses the Emanuel Streisand Building for Jewish Studies.”

In 1984 Ms. Streisand established the Emanuel Streisand Building in memory of her beloved father, whom she praised at the time as “a teacher, scholar and religious man who devoted himself to education.”

“I think he would be very proud to know that this esteemed institution is honoring his daughter,” she said today.

Streisand said it made her happy to read in the newspaper that more women than men graduated with a doctorate at the Hebrew University’s Convocation last night.

“One of the things I’ve always admired about this university is the fact that here, women and men, Jews and Arabs, Christians and Muslims, native-born and immigrants, sit together in classes, share the same cafeterias, learn from the same professors, and dream together of a good and meaningful life,” she said.

“I wish the word were more like the hallways of the Hebrew University,” she added.

Streisand condemned manifestations of exclusion of women in Israel, saying, “I realize it’s not easy to fully grasp the dynamics of what happens in a foreign land. Israel and the United States have much in common: Two great and noble countries, each with problems of course, but always striving to shine as a beacon of hope. So it’s distressing to hear about women in Israel being forced to sit at the back of a bus, or when we hear about Women of the Wall having metal chairs hurled at them when they attempt to peacefully pray, or when women are banned from singing in public ceremonies. But I’m also pleased to read that things are changing here. Repairs are being made and that’s very good.”

Streisand also complimented the debut speech of new Member of Knesset Dr. Ruth Calderon and said that Calderon’s speech served as an example of secular-religious dialogue through which people and countries can come together.

She concluded by quoting Albert Einstein, one of the founders of the Hebrew University: “Example isn’t another way to teach, it’s the only way to teach.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, a member of the audience called out, “We love you, Barbra!” When Hebrew University President Prof. Menahem Ben-Sasson pointed out that with her honorary doctorate she is now “Dr. Streisand,” the audience member shouted back, “We love you, Dr. Streisand!”

After the event, Streisand  toured the Mount Scopus campus and visited the building named for her father. She also met with a number of scholars and students from the university, and among other things discussed the status of women.

Ms. Streisand has been long admired for her civic activism and philanthropic leadership.  Her commitment is reflected in the work of The Streisand Foundation, which is dedicated to fostering women’s equality and health, protecting human and civil rights, advancing the needs of at-risk children in society and preserving the environment. She often donates the proceeds from her performances on behalf of important causes.