The IDC

As difficulties erupted between the college’s students and the university,
Reichman became the students’ champion and the ensuing fight to
guarantee their degrees generated a revolution in the field of higher
education in Israel, opening the door for the establishment of other private
academic institutions, to the benefit of Israeli society as a whole.
“Establishing a new, extra-university academic institution was an
unprecedented venture, and I had to find land, raise money, recruit
lecturers and most importantly, decide on the philosophy of the academic
institution and the values on which it would be based,” says Reichman.
One by one, the pieces of the puzzle came together. A newly deserted
army base in Herzliya provided the location; private donors, inspired by
Reichman’s vision, were found; idealistic lecturers signed on to be part of
the new institution and the list of values were formulated by Reichman
along with Prof. Jerry (Yoram) Wind:
“The first value was the interdisciplinary approach, and to this we added
the principle of the student as a partner, and, of course, the idea of ‘freedom
and responsibility’, with the twofold practical implication of initiative and
helping others,” says Reichman in fond remembrance.
“MY GENERATION WAS RAISED
ON THE IDEA OF COLLECTIVE
REALIZATION – ONE CANNOT REALIZE
HIMSELF WITHOUT VOLUNTEERING
OR CONTRIBUTING, WITHOUT DOING
SOMETHING FOR SOCIETY AS A WHOLE”
One of the most important decisions Reichman made was that IDC would
be completely financially independent, refusing to take state funds and
thereby maintaining its autonomy.
“Throughout this period, people around me thought I was mad and
wondered how I would succeed in setting up an academic institution
without public support, and in keeping it going over time. It was clear to
everyone that this venture would not succeed, and that it was doomed to
failure.”
As IDC is now one of Israel’s finest educational institutions, Reichman is
enjoying the last laugh. In addition to educating Israel’s future leaders, IDC
plays a major role in combating the ‘brain drain’ of Israel – the phrase used
to describe the immigration of great Israeli minds to other countries. A
modern day Pied Piper, Reichman regularly travels the world, finding the
best and brightest Israeli lecturers and luring them back to IDC, infected
by his strong sense of patriotism.
“I simply tell these people that by returning to Israel, they will take part in
the grand effort of helping to build up Israeli society,” says Reichman, as
our interview draws to a close.
“To my mind, it is a great honor to be able to be a pioneer and to devote all
your efforts to the mission of assisting the State of Israel to become what
we aspire toward – an ideal society.”
- Joy Pincus
One-On-One with PrOf. reichmAn
IDC Winter 2010 >
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