Education and agriculture: Twin pillars of resilience in wartime - opinion
In this crisis, we have learned that education, much like agriculture, must persist even in the most turbulent times.
Students at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's campus in Rehovot.(photo credit: Yoram Aschheim)BySAUL BURDMANJawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister, once said: “Everything else can wait, but not agriculture.” As the dean of The Hebrew University Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, I have always found this quote deeply meaningful. However, in the wake of the October 7 massacre and the ensuing war, its urgency has taken on an entirely new dimension. The war has challenged Israeli society at every level, and academia – particularly in fields essential to national resilience – has not been spared. In this crisis, we have learned that education, much like agriculture, must persist even in the most turbulent times.
This year, as Hebrew University marks its centennial on April 1, we are reminded of our institution’s enduring legacy. For a hundred years, Hebrew University has stood at the forefront of knowledge, innovation, and national development. From its early days, it has been a cornerstone of Israel’s scientific, agricultural, and technological advancement. Today, as we navigate one of the most difficult periods in our nation’s history, our university’s commitment to education and research remains unshaken. Our role is not just to preserve knowledge but to ensure its continued impact in the service of society, particularly in times of crisis.
The massacre committed by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, and the ensuing war presented severe challenges for Israeli academia and for our faculty in particular. Located in Rehovot, our faculty is the only academic institution in Israel offering degrees in agricultural sciences and veterinary medicine. The 2023-2024 academic year was delayed, not by weeks but by months, to allow reservist students – 40% of our student body in some programs – to return from service. When classes finally resumed in January, many were still serving. Supporting these students has become one of our most urgent responsibilities, not only academically but emotionally and logistically as well.
Our efforts notwithstanding, the greatest challenge ultimately falls on the students themselves. Despite the difficulties, the majority are performing admirably, and I deeply admire them. Logically, one could expect them to defer their studies until a later time. However, to my surprise, this was not an option for most. Against every reason to pause, these students refused to step away. They saw their education as an anchor – a vital connection to normalcy in a world turned upside down. They persisted, not only out of personal ambition but also because they understood that their work, like agriculture itself, could not wait.
While we have rallied institutional support – appointing academic mentors, offering additional courses, and ensuring flexibility in course completion – the burden has fallen most heavily on the students themselves. Many have returned from months of military service and stepped directly into classrooms, determined not to fall behind. This remarkable resilience speaks not only to their character but also to the crucial role of education in national endurance.
Students at Hebrew University of Jerusalem. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)The October 7 massacre and the ensuing war have affected our faculty in deeply personal ways, which include significant losses within our faculty community. In addition to the high percentage of reservists among our students, the Gaza envelope – a region critical to Israeli agriculture – is home to many of our students and alumni. Farmers – many of them our graduates – were among the first victims of the massacre, and many families have suffered devastating losses. My heart goes out to all members of our community – academic and administrative staff, students, and alumni – who have lost loved ones.
Yet, in the face of devastation, our faculty has risen to support our students and the broader Israeli public. When war broke out and with the postponement of the start of the academic year, we offered rooms and apartments in student residences to students and faculty workers from areas without protected spaces, as well as evacuees from southern Israel. We also provided our classrooms to schools from Rehovot and Ness Ziona that lacked enough protected spaces and helped hold classes on our campus. With our campus largely empty of students, it was heartening to see young children taking over our classrooms and beautiful lawns.
Many members of our community volunteered in various ways. Researchers visited hotels housing evacuees to give talks about their research fields. We also opened our labs and research facilities to evacuees and soldiers staying in Rehovot and the surrounding areas. Additionally, we invited academic staff from Tel-Hai College and the Migal Institute to join our laboratories to continue their research, and one course from Tel-Hai College was partially held in one of our teaching labs. Of course, both academic and administrative staff, along with students, also volunteered in the field closest to our hearts: the agricultural sector. In summary, the faculty community has exemplified the resilience, solidarity, and community commitment that have characterized much of Israeli society during these difficult times.
This experience has reinforced a truth that should resonate far beyond Israel’s borders: Academia is not an isolated ivory tower – it is a fundamental pillar of national resilience. The war has underscored the inseparable link that connects food security, scientific research, and the stability of a nation. If Israel is to recover and rebuild, its universities must be recognized and supported as critical national assets. This is not unique to Israel. Across the world, from conflict zones to climate-stricken regions, the role of academia in addressing existential challenges must be prioritized.
As we move forward, our faculty remains committed to its vision: feeding future generations through modern, knowledge-based agriculture while preserving environmental quality. This mission is not just a statement but a commitment – and it has never been more urgent. Ensuring sustainable food security for a growing world population, in the context of complex environmental constraints like climate change and the loss of arable soil, is one of humanity’s most critical challenges, now and in the future. The future of agriculture – and, by extension, national and global security – depends on continued investment in research, education, and the students who refuse to let war define their futures.
As Hebrew University marks 100 years of academic excellence, we must reaffirm our role in shaping Israel’s future, not only through ground-breaking research but also through unwavering support for those who carry the torch of knowledge forward. We must ensure that our universities, like our farmlands, continue to grow, even in the harshest of conditions. With regard to our faculty, I firmly believe that our excellent entrepreneurial researchers, students, and alumni will continue to play a significant role in driving innovative developments in the fields of agriculture, food, nutritional and environmental sciences. Together with our partners in Israel and abroad, we will continue to shape a better future through our impactful contributions to sustainable global food supply.■
Prof. Saul Burdman is the dean of the Faculty of the Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food, and Environment at Hebrew University
