About the Hecht Family

The Esther and Herbert Hecht Sustainable Protein Research Center (HSPRC) was established thanks to a transformative gift made in memory of Esther and Herbert Hecht of Beverly Hills, California. Their sons, Barry Hecht and Myron Hecht, made the donation to honor their late parents’ legacy and commitment to science and innovation.

Herbert Hecht (1922–2020), born in Frankfurt, Germany, immigrated to the U.S., served in the U.S. Army, and received an education in engineering, eventually distinguishing himself as an internationally renowned expert in the areas of computer reliability and systems reliability. He also taught in the Technion’s Faculty of Industrial Engineering. Esther Hecht (1925–2023), born in Moscow, Russia, likewise immigrated to the U.S., pursued an education in social work, and was a Clinical Social Worker. Among her greatest achievements was bringing three generations of her family from the former Soviet Union to Los Angeles.

The Hechts’ extraordinary lives were marked by their vigorous dedication to the Jewish faith, their enduring belief in the importance of family, and their personal ethic of hard work and perseverance.

“We have seen the Center’s ground-breaking research in cell-based, fermentation-based, and plant-based protein production that will make it affordable for billions of people,” says Myron Hecht. “We hope that the HSPRC will become a shining example of how Israel is improving lives by providing food security to the world.”

“In our lifetimes, we have seen the impact of technologies such as the Internet, cellular phones, GPS, and high capacity low cost electrical batteries. We believe that decreasing the cost of food will be as important in improving lives for everyone. We are proud that our family now has three generations of scientists and physicians working in environmental science, medicine, biotechnology, electronics, and software. The HSPRC is the most eloquent reply to those who wish to destroy us and a demonstration of the resilience and goodness of Israel and the Jewish people.”

Along with other generous donors, the Hecht family’s generous support enables the Center to acquire state-of-the-art equipment, sustain research activities, host international conferences, fund fellowships for students and postdoctoral researchers, and award seed grants that foster interdisciplinary collaboration across the Technion.