The initiative to establish the Hebrew University of Jerusalem dates back to the late nineteenth century. Such an institution was needed because of the difficulties Jewish students had in being accepted to universities in Europe, and to realize the vision of creating in Palestine a quality society with an educated leadership. The cornerstone for the university was laid on Mount Scopus in July 1918 and the university was formally opened in a ceremony held on 1 April 1925 in the presence of a large number of dignitaries, intellectuals,and others. Following the city's partition in the 1948 war, Mount Scopus became a demilitarized zone and a new location had to be found for the university. Classes were held in various places around the city until the opening of the Givat Ram campus in 1958. Today the university's 17,000 students attend classes at both Givat Ram and on the restored Mount Scopus campus. |
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