Rabbi Moshe Ben Maimon, Maimonides (Rambam, according to the Hebrew acronym), is one of the spiritual giants in Jewish history. His vast knowledge, profound thinking and extensive writings in Jewish law, in philosophy, in medicine and in health, have had an indelible impact on all three monotheistic faiths. This impact is still relevant after eight centuries.

On January 1st, 2005 it will be 800 years since the passing of Maimonides. Tradition has it that he is buried in Tiberias.

To honor the memory of that great thinker, the government of Israel has declared the year 2005 to be the Maimonides Year. The first International Maimonides Conference on Medicine and Ethics will be held in Tiberias in March 2005.