Q) What period of the history of Jewish Community in Egypt will the chair cover?

A) From about 1850 to about 1970. The previous periods are well covered by many historians’ studies and books.

Q) What happens to the funds raised during the ‘appeal’?

A) Until the end of the funding campaign on 31 December 2011 the funds are invested in accordance with the University of Haifa conservative guidelines and the revenue is added to the principal. I will be contacting the University in the near future to ask them to vary our agreement so that they establish the Chair as soon as our collections and pledges reach $US300,000 on the undertaking that 100% of the income of the trust account is paid to the University. It will be proposed that, in the event the amount reaches $US500,000, the previous arrangement will apply, i.e. the University receives 75% of the income and the Management Committee will decide on the fate of the remaining 25%. This initiative (at the request of a number of academics) is designed to allow an earlier start to the establishment of the Chair so that the subject is taught as soon as the amount of $US300,000 is raised.

Q) What happens if by December 2011 a lesser amount is raised?

A) The Management Committee, together with the University will decide on a ‘scaled down’ program. However, the fund raising will continue beyond 2011. In any case, it is most unlikely that I will not be able to raise the minimum $US300,000.

Q Why the University of Haifa?

A) I had unsuccessflul negotiations with other universities but only Haifa University:

1) agreed to relinquish control of the Trust Fund to the Management Committee.

2) has a large number of academics specialising in Middle Eastern and ‘Arab’ Jewry.

3) the multicultural setting and record of the University of Haifa is ideally suited to the proposed chair.

Q What are the proposed ‘recognitions’?

A) For small donations it is proposed to have a ‘Golden Book’. For larger donations it is proposed to have a plaque on the University grounds. For more important contributions a system of naming of ‘revolving’ scholarships will be proposed. Finally for a substantial donation joint or single naming rights are available. These details will all be finalised by the Management Committee when constituted.