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Weizmann
Bar-Han
More Than
Bricks and Mortar
Detroit supporters of Israeli
universities fund everything from
scholarships to applied research
KAREN A. KATZ
Special to The Jewish News
H
ebrew University and
the Technion Institute
of Technology were the
first of the seven major
educational institutions
in Israel. The foundation stones of
Hebrew University of Jerusalem were
laid on Mount Scopus in 1918 by
Chaim Weizmann. The university
held its first classes in 1925, led by
the luminaries of their day — Freud,
Buber, Bialik and others.
One year previously, the Technion
opened its doors preparing
undergraduate and graduate
students in every major field of
engineering, science, architecture and
medicine. In turn, these two institu-
tions gave birth to others, first by
loaning out and then eventually giv-
ing staff. World Jewry helped fund
these institutions, from their
inception.
In recent years, as Israeli univer-
sities have taken massive budget cuts,
world Jewry continues to raise funds
in the Diaspora to ensure their
survival.
One local fund raising profes-
sional likened this budgetary crunch
to hardening of the arteries: — "It
doesn't hurt, but it can kill you. You
can live with it for a long time but
eventually it will catch up with you!"
Four of the seven major Israeli in-
stitutions have active fund-raising
chapters in the Detroit area: Detroit
Committee_ for the Weizmann In-
stitute of Science; Detroit Friends of
Bar-Ilan University; American
Friends of the Hebrew University;
and Detroit Chapter, American Socie-
ty for Technion, Israel Institute of
Technology.
Their activities range from parlor
meetings and yearly dinners to educa-
tional meetings and one-on-one
solicitations. Dormitories have been
built, libraries stocked, academicians
supported and research funded
through the efforts of Michigan Jews
devoted to supporting Israel through
supporting her educational facilities.
In September, the Detroit Com-
mittee for the Weizmann Institute of
Science held their one fund-raising
event of the year, a major dinner
honoring Jack A. and Aviva Robinson
with the establishment of the Jack A.
Robinson Research Fund at Weiz-
mann Institute. The black tie dinner,
at $250 per person, is steeper than
others, said executive director Edie
Mittenthal, but it works.
Robert Sosnick, chairman of a 42
member board, said the Weizmann
group also holds several parlor
meetings yearly. "We try to make the
dinner a fun, upbeat evening, without
a lot of speeches;' he said.
"Generally the dinner is the
culmination of a year-long fund-
raising effort; said Norman Pappas,
a vice-chairman of the group. "We do
a lot of one on one solicitation, the
most effective way to fund raise.
"Next, we have a group of sup-
porters who believe strongly in an-
nual giving, and then there are those
who attend the dinner," he said.
"Large, medium and dinner givers all
try to attend the dinner each year.
The very active people in this com-
munity support a lot of Jewish in-
stitutions. All are fabulous, all need
support. A lot of cures for diseases, a
lot of scientific advances have come
out of these institutions."
Donors may also earmark funds
for fellowships, the cancer fund or a
chair in some specific endeavor. In ad-
dition to the board, the Detroit Com-
mittee for the Weizmann Institute
also has a scientific advisory council
comprised of Jewish and non-Jewish
medical doctors from the Detroit and
Ann Arbor areas.
The local chapter of the Friends
of Hebrew University was dormant
until Harvey Grace took over about
four years ago. Now a very strong and
young lay group is actively working
to get people emotionally involved
with Hebrew University. Bob Jacobs,
Andy Jacob and Tom Goldberg head
up the young adult division of about
45 active participants. They are work-
ing with Hebrew University to create
educational seminars and a spirit of
activity which will foster both the
ideals and aspirations of the univer-
sity and also help the scholarship
program.
Philip Fisher heads the founda-
tions committee, seeking grants from
many Jewish and non-Jewish founda-
tions to generate funds for Hebrew
University projects like the "Feed the
Hungry" program, where Hebrew
University scientists work with Third
World countries to develop nutritional
programs.
Fisher reiterated the need for
generating emotional involvements.
"We try to figure out programming
others haven't done before," he said.
"The young group is hosting a movie
benefit premiere geared to a 25-40 age
group. In this way they'll enjoy a
movie and we'll bring them informa-
tion on Hebrew University. It's very
low pressure.
"Fundraising dollars are current-
ly earmarked for a number of special
projects, but especially for scholar-
ships for people who normally
couldn't afford to go," he said. "That
is something we feel very strongly is
vital to Hebrew University!"
The Carl and Sander Levin
Scholarship Foundation instituted at
a dinner in their honor will provide
$1.25 million for scholarships for
Michigan residents. About one-half
million dollars toward the Levin
Scholarship Foundation has been
raised to date.
Also in the completion stages of
fund raising is the Cohodas Computer
Center dedicated to Sam Cohodas of
Marquette. The computer center is
directly involved with Hebrew
University's agricultural school.
Harvey Grace said the Committee
put together a multi-faceted
marketing approach when he took
over the chapter. "We immediately
put together a group of associate
members who donate $100 to $200 a
year. They receive bulletins and
general information;' he said.
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
79