On Thursday, March 31, 2011 the New York Region of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science (ACWIS) held its annual Gala dinner at Pier 60 in New York City.  The Gala’s theme, In Celebration of Science for the Benefit of Humanity, honored over 60 years of research and discovery at the Weizmann Institute, where scientists have been helping to solve humanity’s greatest challenges – including hunger, disease and protecting the environment.  Presenters included the Consul General of Israel, Ido Aharoni, Chair of the New York Executive Committee, Ellen Merlo and ACWIS Executive Vice President and CEO, Marshall Levin. 

Larry Blumberg, Chairman of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science and a third generation Weizmann supporter also spoke at the event and introduced an interactive and multi-media discussion between Weizmann Institute of Science President Professor Daniel Zajfman and Andrew Heyward, former President of CBS News.  Heyward interviewed Zajfman about his upbringing in Belgium, his early love of science and the importance of collaborative curiosity before opening up the discussion to address questions from the audience about basic science research, curing cancer and science literacy.