The IDC

OF ISRAEL
IDC NOW BOASTS SEVEN SCHOOLS
THAT OFFER FULLY ACCREDITED
BACHELOR’S DEGREES, SOME
ALREADY OFFERING MASTER’S
PROGRAMS AS WELL. THERE
ARE RESEARCH CENTERS
DEVOTED TO THE STUDY OF
COUNTERTERRORISM, THE MIDDLE
EAST, EUROPE, RENEWABLE
ENERGY AND MORE, EACH OF WHICH
SPONSORS INTERNATIONAL, WORLD
RENOWNED CONFERENCES
One-On-One with PrOf. reichmAn
The son of a mechanic, Prof. Uriel Reichman rose from humble
beginnings to become the dean of Tel Aviv University’s law
school, founder and president of Israel’s first private university
and a member of Israel’s parliament. But sitting across him
now in his office, a small room located in a one story building built in
a bygone era, I see a man who remembers his roots and holds fast to
his deepest values.
“The act of founding a new discipline or approach is incredibly rewarding,
well beyond monetary value,” says Reichman, looking back on the
incredible accomplishment of IDC.
“There comes a certain age when a person needs to examine himself and
seriously begin budgeting his time and life and ask himself where can he
make the most effective contribution. I have enough to provide for my
family in the years to come, and beyond that I see my modest contribution
as a way of fulfilling the modern return to Zionism and contributing to the
success of the Zionist Revolution.”
Just one step away from Reichman’s office is the overwhelming reality of
how much has been accomplished in the 15 years since IDC’s establishment.
IDC now boasts seven schools that offer fully accredited bachelor’s degrees,
some already offering master’s programs as well. There are research centers
devoted to the study of counter-terrorism, the Middle East, Europe,
Alternative Energy and more, each of which sponsors international, worldrenowned
conferences. The campus itself constantly buzzes with activity
from the thousands of students, faculty members and guests. Most striking
is the look on students’ faces; it’s a look that says ‘I’m in this world to make
a difference, to do something important with life and I’m not going to
waste a minute getting there.’
According to Reichman, IDC’s educational approach can be summed up in
two words: Liberty and Responsibility.
“We expect our students to show initiative, realize their plans and make
their dreams come true, rather than succumb to the status quo,” says Prof.
Reichman. “We encourage them never to wait for the government to solve
their problems, and we promise to provide them with the tools to fend for
themselves and run their lives in a free, independent, and entrepreneurial
manner.”
When asked if he could say a few more words about how IDC envisions its
students will take responsibility, he answers:
“The future depends on those hundreds of thousands of people who are
willing to take on responsibility. Responsibility is serving in the army,
serving on reserve duty, participating in social service activities and
contributing to society. It entails joining the cause, without hindering your
personal advancement. The future of the State of Israel is dependent upon
an alternative leadership which will arise, and I believe that many of its
members will have come through the doors of IDC.”
IDC Winter 2010 >
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