Introducing
The World's
Lar g est
Jewish
Foundation

The CRB Foundation, just
created by Canadian
philanthropist Charles R.
Bronfman, appears to be
unique in the way it intends
to operate.

13, Friday, March 27, 1987

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

GARY ROSENBLATT

Editor

M

ontreal — Stephen P. Cohen is
spending virtually all of his time
deciding how best to spend $5
million for the coming year.
Not on himself, though, and not of his
own money.
Cohen, 41, a native of Montreal who un-
til now has carved out an impressive
academic career as a social psychologist
specializing in Mideast affairs, is the presi-
dent of the newly-formed CRB Foundation.
The initials stand for Charles R. Bronf-
man, the Canadian businessman, co-
chairman of Seagram Co. Ltd., and philan-
thropist, who has created the foundation
to express his commitment to his country
and its people, and his involvement in
Jewish communal affairs. He plans to do
this by funding programs in two distinct
areas — projects that will strengthen the
unity of the Jewish people as well as those
that will enhance Canadianism.
In part, this dual commitment reflects
the personality of its benefactor, who said
at a Montreal press conference announcing
the foundation, "I love this country. I love
all the people in this country. I love the
Jewish people and I think we can do some-
thing positive for people from every part
of this land and people in the Jewish world
— that will be the goal."
Bronfman, 55, is a proud Canadian who
chose to remain in Montreal after his
brother, Edgar, resettled in New York. It
is Edgar, president of the World Jewish
Congress, who is the more public and visi-
ble brother of the two who co-chair
Seagram, the cornerstone of the reported
$35 billion family liquor empire, though
Charles has long been involved in civic,
business and Jewish causes — from chair-
man of the Montreal Expos to chairman
of the State of Israel Bonds and United
Israel Appeal of Canada.
(The two brothers recently agreed, after
a public rift, that they are free to "do their
own thing" without being tied into a fami-
ly trust. The rift came about after Charles
took exception to Edgar's published com-
ment that he would like to see his son,
Edgar Jr., 30, eventually take over as chair-
man of Seagram.)
Friends and associates say Charles
.created the CRB Foundation because, in
the words of one, "he wanted to make a big
difference in a quiet way." Charles is said
to be dissatisfied with the politics and
decision-making process of most Jewish
organizations. "Charles supports the in-

