About the Wolf Foundation
About the Wolf Foundation
The Wolf Foundation is a prestigious organization that celebrates and promotes exceptional achievements in the sciences and the arts worldwide.
Founded in 1975 with an endowment from the Wolf family, the Foundation’s major donors were Dr. Ricardo Subirana Y Lobo Wolf and his wife, Francisca. Since its inception, the Wolf Foundation has recognized and celebrated outstanding contributions to humanity through the Wolf Prize.
The Wolf Prize is awarded annually and honors exceptional individuals who transcend barriers of religion, gender, race, geography, and political stance. In the scientific domain, the awards are conferred in Medicine, Agriculture, Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics. In the arts, the awards recognize excellence in Painting and Sculpture, Music, and Architecture.
The Wolf Prize acknowledges scientists and artists worldwide for their outstanding achievements in advancing science and the arts for the betterment of humanity. By awarding the prize, we salute leaders and pioneers in these fields who have contributed to a better world.
Celebrating its 50th year, the Wolf Prize has established a legacy of prestigious international recognition. To date, 400 scientists and artists have been honored. International judging committees, reappointed annually and comprising world-renowned experts in their fields, select the laureates.
The Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Council and Committee Members, Prize Juries, and Internal Auditor all perform their duties on a voluntary basis.
In addition to the Wolf Prize, the Wolf Foundation promotes leading young scientists, artists, and students for their outstanding achievements. The Foundation also initiates educational activities to strengthen scientific and artistic excellence, exposing educators and the public to the forefront of these fields.
Ricardo Wolf
Dr. Ricardo Wolf (born in in 1887, Hanover, Germany) was one of 14 children born to Moritz Wolf, a pillar of that city’s Jewish community. Wolf senior instilled in his children great respect for education and high moral and ethical values - a legacy, internalized and applied by Ricardo Wolf throughout his long life.
Prior to World War I, Dr. Wolf emigrated from Germany to Cuba, which became his second home. In 1924, he married Francisca Subirana, a world tennis champion of the 1920’s.
For many years, Ricardo Wolf worked to develop a process for recovering iron from smelting process residue. Ultimately successful, his invention was utilized in steel factories all over the world, bringing him considerable wealth.
The humanistic values instilled during his youth, led Dr. Wolf to lend both moral and financial support to Fidel Castro, from the onset of the Cuban revolution. Beholden to Ricardo Wolf for his unswerving support, and cognizant of his personality and natural gifts as a diplomat, the Cuban leader responded to Dr. Wolf’s request and appointed him in 1961 Cuban Ambassador to Israel. Dr. Wolf held this position until 1973, the year Cuba severed diplomatic ties with Israel.
Upon relinquishing his diplomatic post, Dr. Wolf decided to remain in Israel, where he spent his final years.
For Dr. Wolf, the Wolf Foundation which he established, in 1975, was the embodiment of his philanthropic activities, to be continued beyond his own lifetime, for the benefit of humanity.
Dr. Ricardo Wolf passed away at his home in Herzlia in February 1981. His wife Francisca died less than a month later.
Mrs. Francisca Subirana Wolf (1981-1900)
Dr. Ricardo Wolf (1981- 1887)
Leadership
President Isaac Herzog
President of the State of Israel
Professor Michael Lin completed his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in mathematics at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Since 1971 he was for 6 years assistant professor and associate professor at Ohio State University. From 1976 till his retirement in 2011 he was at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, full professor since 1984. Professor Lin was chair of the department of mathematics in 1986-1990, in charge of absorption in the department of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including the establishment of first year studies in Russian, in 1990-1993, president of the Israel mathematical Union in 2008-2009. Professor Lin has published over 90 professional articles in the areas of functional analysis, operator theory, ergodic theory and Markov chains.
Zeev Abeles
Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairperson
Professor Michael Lin completed his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in mathematics at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Since 1971 he was for 6 years assistant professor and associate professor at Ohio State University. From 1976 till his retirement in 2011 he was at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, full professor since 1984. Professor Lin was chair of the department of mathematics in 1986-1990, in charge of absorption in the department of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including the establishment of first year studies in Russian, in 1990-1993, president of the Israel mathematical Union in 2008-2009. Professor Lin has published over 90 professional articles in the areas of functional analysis, operator theory, ergodic theory and Markov chains.
Dr. Talia Aharoni
Trustee
Professor Michael Lin completed his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in mathematics at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Since 1971 he was for 6 years assistant professor and associate professor at Ohio State University. From 1976 till his retirement in 2011 he was at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, full professor since 1984. Professor Lin was chair of the department of mathematics in 1986-1990, in charge of absorption in the department of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including the establishment of first year studies in Russian, in 1990-1993, president of the Israel mathematical Union in 2008-2009. Professor Lin has published over 90 professional articles in the areas of functional analysis, operator theory, ergodic theory and Markov chains.
Dalia Rabin
Trustee
Professor Michael Lin completed his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in mathematics at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Since 1971 he was for 6 years assistant professor and associate professor at Ohio State University. From 1976 till his retirement in 2011 he was at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, full professor since 1984. Professor Lin was chair of the department of mathematics in 1986-1990, in charge of absorption in the department of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including the establishment of first year studies in Russian, in 1990-1993, president of the Israel mathematical Union in 2008-2009. Professor Lin has published over 90 professional articles in the areas of functional analysis, operator theory, ergodic theory and Markov chains.
Dr. Zipi Landau
Trustee
Professor Michael Lin completed his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in mathematics at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Since 1971 he was for 6 years assistant professor and associate professor at Ohio State University. From 1976 till his retirement in 2011 he was at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, full professor since 1984. Professor Lin was chair of the department of mathematics in 1986-1990, in charge of absorption in the department of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including the establishment of first year studies in Russian, in 1990-1993, president of the Israel mathematical Union in 2008-2009. Professor Lin has published over 90 professional articles in the areas of functional analysis, operator theory, ergodic theory and Markov chains.
David Lindner
Trustee
Professor Michael Lin completed his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in mathematics at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Since 1971 he was for 6 years assistant professor and associate professor at Ohio State University. From 1976 till his retirement in 2011 he was at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, full professor since 1984. Professor Lin was chair of the department of mathematics in 1986-1990, in charge of absorption in the department of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including the establishment of first year studies in Russian, in 1990-1993, president of the Israel mathematical Union in 2008-2009. Professor Lin has published over 90 professional articles in the areas of functional analysis, operator theory, ergodic theory and Markov chains.
Reut Inon Berman
CEO
Professor Michael Lin completed his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in mathematics at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Since 1971 he was for 6 years assistant professor and associate professor at Ohio State University. From 1976 till his retirement in 2011 he was at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, full professor since 1984. Professor Lin was chair of the department of mathematics in 1986-1990, in charge of absorption in the department of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including the establishment of first year studies in Russian, in 1990-1993, president of the Israel mathematical Union in 2008-2009. Professor Lin has published over 90 professional articles in the areas of functional analysis, operator theory, ergodic theory and Markov chains.
Prof. Osnat Luxenburg
Council Acting Chair
Professor Michael Lin completed his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in mathematics at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Since 1971 he was for 6 years assistant professor and associate professor at Ohio State University. From 1976 till his retirement in 2011 he was at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, full professor since 1984. Professor Lin was chair of the department of mathematics in 1986-1990, in charge of absorption in the department of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including the establishment of first year studies in Russian, in 1990-1993, president of the Israel mathematical Union in 2008-2009. Professor Lin has published over 90 professional articles in the areas of functional analysis, operator theory, ergodic theory and Markov chains.
Roger D. Kornberg
Academic council
Professor Michael Lin completed his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in mathematics at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Since 1971 he was for 6 years assistant professor and associate professor at Ohio State University. From 1976 till his retirement in 2011 he was at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, full professor since 1984. Professor Lin was chair of the department of mathematics in 1986-1990, in charge of absorption in the department of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including the establishment of first year studies in Russian, in 1990-1993, president of the Israel mathematical Union in 2008-2009. Professor Lin has published over 90 professional articles in the areas of functional analysis, operator theory, ergodic theory and Markov chains.
Prof. Taiseer Elias
Council member
Professor Michael Lin completed his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in mathematics at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Since 1971 he was for 6 years assistant professor and associate professor at Ohio State University. From 1976 till his retirement in 2011 he was at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, full professor since 1984. Professor Lin was chair of the department of mathematics in 1986-1990, in charge of absorption in the department of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including the establishment of first year studies in Russian, in 1990-1993, president of the Israel mathematical Union in 2008-2009. Professor Lin has published over 90 professional articles in the areas of functional analysis, operator theory, ergodic theory and Markov chains.
Prof. Berta Levavi-Sivan
Council member
Professor Michael Lin completed his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in mathematics at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Since 1971 he was for 6 years assistant professor and associate professor at Ohio State University. From 1976 till his retirement in 2011 he was at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, full professor since 1984. Professor Lin was chair of the department of mathematics in 1986-1990, in charge of absorption in the department of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including the establishment of first year studies in Russian, in 1990-1993, president of the Israel mathematical Union in 2008-2009. Professor Lin has published over 90 professional articles in the areas of functional analysis, operator theory, ergodic theory and Markov chains.
Prof. Ehud Keinan
Council member
Professor Michael Lin completed his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in mathematics at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Since 1971 he was for 6 years assistant professor and associate professor at Ohio State University. From 1976 till his retirement in 2011 he was at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, full professor since 1984. Professor Lin was chair of the department of mathematics in 1986-1990, in charge of absorption in the department of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including the establishment of first year studies in Russian, in 1990-1993, president of the Israel mathematical Union in 2008-2009. Professor Lin has published over 90 professional articles in the areas of functional analysis, operator theory, ergodic theory and Markov chains.
Prof. Hagai Netzer
Council member
Professor Michael Lin completed his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in mathematics at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Since 1971 he was for 6 years assistant professor and associate professor at Ohio State University. From 1976 till his retirement in 2011 he was at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, full professor since 1984. Professor Lin was chair of the department of mathematics in 1986-1990, in charge of absorption in the department of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including the establishment of first year studies in Russian, in 1990-1993, president of the Israel mathematical Union in 2008-2009. Professor Lin has published over 90 professional articles in the areas of functional analysis, operator theory, ergodic theory and Markov chains.
Dr. Sefy Hendler
Council member
Professor Michael Lin completed his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in mathematics at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Since 1971 he was for 6 years assistant professor and associate professor at Ohio State University. From 1976 till his retirement in 2011 he was at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, full professor since 1984. Professor Lin was chair of the department of mathematics in 1986-1990, in charge of absorption in the department of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including the establishment of first year studies in Russian, in 1990-1993, president of the Israel mathematical Union in 2008-2009. Professor Lin has published over 90 professional articles in the areas of functional analysis, operator theory, ergodic theory and Markov chains.
Gideon Schechtman
Council member
Professor Michael Lin completed his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in mathematics at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Since 1971 he was for 6 years assistant professor and associate professor at Ohio State University. From 1976 till his retirement in 2011 he was at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, full professor since 1984. Professor Lin was chair of the department of mathematics in 1986-1990, in charge of absorption in the department of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including the establishment of first year studies in Russian, in 1990-1993, president of the Israel mathematical Union in 2008-2009. Professor Lin has published over 90 professional articles in the areas of functional analysis, operator theory, ergodic theory and Markov chains.
Dr. Hannah Kanety
Council member
Professor Michael Lin completed his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in mathematics at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Since 1971 he was for 6 years assistant professor and associate professor at Ohio State University. From 1976 till his retirement in 2011 he was at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, full professor since 1984. Professor Lin was chair of the department of mathematics in 1986-1990, in charge of absorption in the department of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including the establishment of first year studies in Russian, in 1990-1993, president of the Israel mathematical Union in 2008-2009. Professor Lin has published over 90 professional articles in the areas of functional analysis, operator theory, ergodic theory and Markov chains.
Arc. Amnon Rechter
Council member
Professor Michael Lin completed his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in mathematics at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Since 1971 he was for 6 years assistant professor and associate professor at Ohio State University. From 1976 till his retirement in 2011 he was at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, full professor since 1984. Professor Lin was chair of the department of mathematics in 1986-1990, in charge of absorption in the department of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including the establishment of first year studies in Russian, in 1990-1993, president of the Israel mathematical Union in 2008-2009. Professor Lin has published over 90 professional articles in the areas of functional analysis, operator theory, ergodic theory and Markov chains.
Prof. Michael Lin
Council member
Professor Michael Lin completed his B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. studies in mathematics at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Since 1971 he was for 6 years assistant professor and associate professor at Ohio State University. From 1976 till his retirement in 2011 he was at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, full professor since 1984. Professor Lin was chair of the department of mathematics in 1986-1990, in charge of absorption in the department of immigrants from the former Soviet Union, including the establishment of first year studies in Russian, in 1990-1993, president of the Israel mathematical Union in 2008-2009. Professor Lin has published over 90 professional articles in the areas of functional analysis, operator theory, ergodic theory and Markov chains.