Message from the University Vice President Prof. Milette Shamir

On October 7, 2023, Israel was the victim of a horrific, unprecedented terror attack that has left, as recently reported, more than 1200 dead, more than 2900 injured, and an estimated 150 kidnapped. Sadly, these numbers will only continue to rise.

In this very difficult time, we are incredibly proud of the way our community has pulled together to support and care for one another and for all of Israel; we are also incredibly touched by the many, many kind and thoughtful messages we have received from our friends and partners from around the world.

Our priority now is the safety and well-being of our international community at The Lowy International School. As we navigate these challenging times, our focus is on a secure, supportive, and inclusive learning and living environment at Tel Aviv University (TAU).

At this moment, we are instructing international students, researchers, and visitors at TAU to stay close to one of the many secure areas on campus/in the dorms and to follow the protocol provided for any safety risks. To support a safe and flexible learning environment, TAU has now postponed the start of the semester to Sunday, October 22. The first weeks of academic learning will be provided in a hybrid format.

TAU is also significantly expanding the psychological services available to the University community at this time, including to international students; as part of this, there is a 24/7 mental health support line. The Lowy International School is additionally providing sessions with a trauma psychologist, 24/7 access to the Student Life Team, and small social gatherings in secure areas in accordance with government guidelines.

We encourage all members of our international community here at TAU to follow safety protocols, prioritize self-care, and recognize that seeking help is a sign of strength. We also want to emphasize that we respect and support any decision made by members of our international community regarding their continued studies and work at TAU; as always, we are here to assist.

Finally, please know that we are vigilantly monitoring any changes or developments in Israel that may affect safety; we maintain frequent contact with government security agencies to stay informed of any potential escalations or risks on the horizon. 

Should you wish to stay informed of updates from The Lowy International School, you may do so through our newsletter – this will be our primary vehicle at this time for comprehensively communicating shifts in protocol, services, schedules, and more. Opt-in to the newsletter is available here.

We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued support, well wishes, and patience at this time.