HU President Asher Cohen and various faculty members were among those taking part in an Israel-based international conference held virtually due to COVID-19. Held on the eve of Shavuot, the day-long Judaism, Israel and Diaspora online gathering took place online from Haaretz’s newsroom in Tel Aviv in partnership with Hebrew University, the Jewish Agency and the Ruderman Family Foundation. Presentations, interviews and panel discussions focused on the challenges in the evolving relationship between Israel and the Jewish Diaspora and on related issues, especially in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The digital nature of the event allowed — In addition to high profile speakers from Israel — a wide participation of influential speakers from across the Diaspora, including the US, Britain and France. The inaugural edition of the conference was held in Jerusalem last December.