New York Knicks basketball star Amar'e Stoudemire visited the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on Wednesday, July 24 and met with students at the Rothberg International School. The event, at the Mount Scopus campus, was conducted as a talk show, during which Stoudemire was asked questions by students and panelists, and discussed the role celebrity can play in promoting social agendas. 

Stoudemire spoke about his thoughts on social responsibility and philanthropy, the importance of education and charities as well as his work with the Hebrew University's Youth Periphery Program - Science Through Sports, founded and funded by the Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University (CFHU).

The students are in an intensive one-year master’s degree in Nonprofit Management and Leadership at the Rothberg International School. Offered in conjunction with the Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, the program is designed to create a cadre of leaders in the nonprofit world, with cutting-edge skills and theoretical and practical knowledge in management, entrepreneurship and leadership.

The meeting was initiated and chaired by Rami Kleinmann, President & CEO of Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University. Stoudemire was welcomed to the Rothberg International School by its Provost, Prof. Mimi Ajzenstadt. Also participating as a panelist was Prof. Sydney Engelberg, who teaches management skills for social entrepreneurs at the Rothberg International School.

Amar'e Stoudemire is a well-respected professional basketball player who has not only left his mark on the game, but also on the community through his award winning outreach.  He has been named a Good Will Ambassador to the country of Sierra Leone and he is currently developing a community center in the African nation of Mali.  Through his Foundation, Amar'e has been able to provide needed resources for students, AAU progam, basketball tournaments and projects abroad.  In November 2008, Stoudemire received the NBA's Community Assist Award, for his work with the Amar'e Stoudemire Foundation.  He is currently in Israel as the assistant couach of the Canadian basketball team a the 2013 Maccabiah Games.