Donor Recognition

In Memory of Heinrich (Yehezkel) and Barbara (Batya) Sieratzki

The Sieratzki Institute for Advances in Neuroscience expresses its profound gratitude for the generous donation made in memory of Heinrich (Yehezkel) and Barbara (Batya) Sieratzki, which facilitated the inauguration and ongoing operation of the center.

Neuroscience is a field of immense significance today. As our understanding of the brain deepens, so does our ability to treat and prevent neurological conditions and the effects of aging. To support these advances, the Sieratzki Institute for Advances in Neuroscience was inaugurated at this year's Board of Governors meeting. The Institute is generously supported by Dr. Jechil (Harry) Sieratzki, a dear and longstanding friend of Tel Aviv University, as well as a medical doctor and brain researcher in his own right.

During a poignant inauguration ceremony at the ANU Museum’s lecture theatre, Dr. Sieratzki lovingly honored the memory of his late parents, Heinrich (Yehezkel) and Barbara (Batya) Sieratzki. He also shared the remarkable life story of his mother, Barbara, who was a steadfast supporter of both Tel Aviv University and education in Israel.

Barbara Sieratzki z"l was born in Krakow, Poland, in 1926. She survived the Holocaust, and at one point was imprisoned alongside the renowned poet and soldier, Chana Senesh. After the war, she studied philology in Hungary before moving to Germany, where she met her future husband, Heinrich. Together, they built a successful family business. After Heinrich's untimely passing when Barbara was 50, she continued to live independently for 42 more years.

Barbara became a Governor of Tel Aviv University and played an instrumental role in the establishment of the German Friends Association of TAU. Prof. Nir Giladi, incumbent of the Sieratzki Chair of Neurology, spoke fondly of his long friendship with Barbara, describing her as a woman "with a special passion for science and education."

In 1995, Barbara and Harry co-founded the Heinrich (Yehezkel) Sieratzki Chair in Neurology at TAU. In 2009, they established the Sieratzki Prize for Advances in Neuroscience, which has since been awarded to 32 outstanding recipients, many of whom have become leaders in their respective fields. Dr. Sieratzki remains in personal contact with many of the Prize laureates and follows their careers with great interest.