Handshake of 2 Technion Presidents: Yitchak Apeloig (left), Peretz Lavie (center)

The relationship between the Technion and Germany dates back to the establishment of the Technion 100 years ago when Ezra, a Jewish philanthropic group from Berlin took upon themselves to build the Technikum, the first Jewish University modeled after German Midlevel technical schools. The War of languages between German – the language of the first teachers of the Technion, and Hebrew – the language of the students who refused to study in German, has been considered to be a landmark of revival of the ancient language that was dead for almost 2000 years. Berlin was also the site of the first Technion support group that was headed by no other than Albert Einstein.  

The Second World War and the Holocaust demolished these special relationships and casted a huge shadow on the relationship between the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Israel. For many years these relationships have been a very emotional issue, where painful memories and hopes for a better world are mixed, sometimes almost in a surreal way.  

The relationship between The Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Israel can be seen as a delicate and sensitive plant that needs special care to ensure its proper growth and development. On both sides we need talented gardeners who have not only open minds but also open hearts, who can provide this plant with the special care it needs. Today, we honor such a “gardener”; Technion President Emeritus, Distinguished Professor Yitzhak Apeloig, who is honored by the Federal Republic of Germany with the Order of Merit for nurturing this delicate plant.

I had the pleasure to work with Distinguished Professor Yitzhak Apeloig for seven years, as the Vice President for Resource Development and External Relations. Now in my capacity as the President of the Technion and his successor I can fully appreciate the spirit of harmony in which we worked under his leadership during these very hectic and eventful years.

Yitzhak, or Itzik as we call him here, knew that one of the secrets of how to establish a relationship between people who share such a traumatic history is to make them use a common language.  When people use the same language they feel closer to each other. Using a common language removes barriers and builds mutual trust and understanding. The common language that Prof. Apeloig chose was neither Hebrew nor German. He chose the language of science. There is no place like a small intimate scientific meeting where scientists share their knowledge and experience with fellow scientists having the same interests, and with students who are eager to learn from the elders. As many of you know and most probably experienced, the scientific exchange starts at the lecture hall and continues around the table during lunch time and dinner, and later on, late into the night at the bar or coffee corner. Such meetings are the recipe to build bridges between people.  

Prof. Apeloig initiated many German-Israeli scientific meetings during which to use his own words:
“With time the ties became closer and collaborators became friends, some of them even life-time friends. I indeed truly believe that science can be a bridge for uniting cultures and nations.”

Itzik conducted many joint research projects with his life-time friends who visited each other’s laboratories numerous times. Together with Prof. Sasson Shaik (צֽחָייק) from the Hebrew University he is heading the Lise Meitner – Minerva Center for Computational Quantum Chemistry, one of more than 20 Minerva Centers in Israel that further strengthen the cooperation between Israeli and German Scientists.

Yitzik, my friend, I congratulate you on behalf of the entire Technion Family for being awarded this prestigious honor, to be joining numerous great prizes and awards, such as membership in the US National Academy of Sciences, the American Chemical Society Award in Chemistry, and the Israel Chemical Society Award and the Honorary Doctorate bestowed on you by the Technical University of Berlin.

Thank you, Yitzhak, for bringing us this honor, and thank you – the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany for acknowledging your achievements and activities.