On May 21, 2025, Tel Aviv University awarded the Israel Philharmonic with an honorary fellowship in a moving and festive ceremony. The conferral took place as a part of the university’s annual Board of Governors events on campus.

The university’s Committee wrote, “This tribute to the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra is in recognition of its immense contribution, for nearly ninety years, to the arts and culture in Israel as the national orchestra; for its success in fulfilling its historic mission of serving as an artistic home for Jewish musicians who fled Nazi persecution in Europe; for its wide international acclaim, reflected in concerts in Israel and abroad and collaborations with world-class conductors, soloists, and orchestras; for its outstanding efforts to engage new audiences from across all segments of Israeli society with symphonic music; for its deep, long-standing partnership with the Buchmann-Mehta School of Music at Tel Aviv University, training new generations of outstanding musicians and instrumentalists for the Philharmonic and other leading orchestras in Israel and around the world; and for its vital role in connecting audiences worldwide with Israel’s vibrant artistic endeavors and original musical creation, as the country’s leading cultural ambassador.”

Yair Mashich, Secretary General of the Israel Philharmonic, said, “On behalf of the orchestra’s management and music director Lahav Shani, we would like to thank Tel Aviv University for this distinguished honor. The Israel Philharmonic is the national orchestra of the State of Israel and its cultural ambassador to the world. This is a moment of immense pride for every current and former member of the orchestra, and for all our partners through the years. For nearly ninety years, we have borne a musical and national responsibility, and this honor gives us inspiration and momentum to continue our mission for generations to come.”

We invite you to watch a video of the Israel Philharmonic’s musical performance during the conferral ceremony below.