TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 31, 2005--Friends of Jerusalem College of Technology (JCT) have announced a charity auction on eBay for lunch with Rupert Murdoch, Chairman and CEO of News Corporation.

Bidding on the luncheon, which will benefit one of Israel's major academic institutions (JCT), will commence Nov. 3, 2005 at 5:00 p.m.

PDT and run through 5:00 p.m. PDT on Nov. 10, 2005. One hundred percent (100%) of the winning bid will go to the charity. Starting at a bid of $25,000, all bidders are pre-qualified through Kompolt, an online auction agency that creates successful, high value, and high profile promotional and charity auctions. Interested bidders are welcome to pre-qualify through Kompolt throughout the duration of the auction, and should visit http://www.ebay.com/rupertmurdoch for information. Arrangements for the winning bidder and four friends will be finalized after the bidding closes.

Providing a rare opportunity for a private audience with the world-renowned media entrepreneur, Mr. Murdoch, whose News Corporation's vast holdings span the globe and include the FOX broadcast network, FOX News, FOX Sports, HarperCollins Publishers and the New York Post in the United States; The Times of London and The Sun in the UK; STAR TV in Asia; NDS in Israel; and more than 110 newspapers in Australia, will host the winning bidder and four friends in a private executive dining room at News Corporation's world headquarters in Manhattan.

"Mr. Murdoch's strong understanding of the benefits of scientific research in information technology, micro-electronics, networks and infrastructure has led to his support for the Jerusalem College of Technology," said Professor Joseph S. Bodenheimer, President of the JCT in Israel. "We are extremely happy to have Mr. Murdoch's involvement in this worthwhile cause of raising funds for our research into different fields such as nano-optical technology, bio-informatics, electro-optics, industrial management, micro-electronics and non-invasive medical technologies for diagnosis of disease. The oldest of JCT's Institutes, Machon Lev, offers its technology curriculum in the most advanced fields utilized in Israel's high-tech industries."

"Israel has grown from a developing country to a global leader in advanced technologies," Mr. Murdoch said. "The Jerusalem College of Technology is at the forefront of this achievement, producing top-notch graduates whose world-class education will no doubt lead to many innovations and advances in the world of information technology."

JCT, in its 36th year, has four "Friends of the JCT" organizations around the world including Canada, the United States and England. The Friends of JCT (Friends of the JCT Ltd.), based in New York City, in cooperation with the Toronto office, is the organization auctioning the lunch. It will be listed through eBay Giving Works, the dedicated program for charity listings on eBay offering nonprofits a powerful way to raise funds and awareness by reaching eBay's compassionate community of millions.

To learn more about JCT, contact the organizer of the auction, Renee Rosenmann, Director of Special Projects, Canadian Friends of JCT at renee@cfjct.org and visit www.friendsofjct.org. For media inquiries, contact Sue Dorn, Senior Vice President, Middleton & Gendron at 212-980-9192 or via e-mail at sdorn@mg-pr.com.

Copyright Business Wire 2005

Friends of Jerusalem College of Technology (JCT)

Friends of Jerusalem College of Technology (JCT)

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