usic Maker

William Davidson's major gifts allow symphony to continue touring.

ALAN ABRAMS
Special to the Jewish News

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9/22
2000

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IRM INGHAM

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et there be music! The
Detroit Symphony
Orchestra is the latest
recipient of a major finan-
cial gift from philanthropist William
"Bill" Davidson.
The Oakland County industrialist
last week made a $2-million renew-
able gift, which will enable the DSO
to make long-term touring plans,
both in the U.S. and abroad, begin-
ning with a Florida tour in January
2001.
Davidson, 77, is chairman of
Guardian Industries Corp. of Auburn
Hills, the world's fourth largest flat
glass manufacturer. The firm was the
underwriter of the DSO's last
European tour in May 1998.
Speaking for Davidson, Ralph J.
Gerson, executive vice president of
Guardian, told the Jewish News on
Sept. 18, "Guardian Industries is
delighted to again support the tour-
ing program of the Detroit
Symphony Orchestra through the
establishment of the Guardian
Touring Fund.
"We are particularly pleased to
support world-class organizations
that showcase the excellent quality of
life in southeastern Michigan. We
believe that the DSO will serve as a
very effective representative of this
area around the country and around
the world."
Davidson, who lives in Bloomfield
Hills, is the managing partner of the
Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports
Entertainment. He is a major donor
to Jewish communal and Israeli busi-
ness and educational organizations
(see accompanying story). His personal
worth was recently reported at $2.1
million by Forbes magazine.

More Support Needed

Emil J. Kang, the DSO's president
and executive director, said Davidson
and Guardian "have given us a chal-
lenge to continue our fund-raising
for such activities."
Corporate sponsors have under-

tions, such as the DSO,
written most of the
and it's time the rest of
DSO's tours. The pur-
the country and the entire
pose of the Davidson
world were better aware of
grant is not to cover
that.
the entire cost of DSO
"This is another exam-
touring, but to allow
ple
of Bill's generosity to
the orchestra to solicit
the
community," said
additional support
Penny
Blumenstein, presi-
funds from other
dent of the Jewish
sources.
Federation of
In announcing the
Metropolitan Detroit. "He
gift, Davidson said, "It
is very focused in his
is critical that we sup-
William Da vidson
interests, whether it be
port the efforts of key
Jewish
education or the
Detroit and Michigan
musical
experience.
He is our
institutions to promote the unique
`Renaissance Man,' and we are fortu-
attributes of our community. We are
nate to have him." :11
home to world-class cultural institu-

"

By The Numbers
alculate the numbers and you'll see that the generosity of William
Davidson is virtually boundless. Counting the DSO gift, he recently has
C
given almost $85 million through a number of high-profile donations.

Two years ago, \William Davidson was honored at the Henry Ford
Museum in Dearborn for his donation of $30 million to the American
Technion Society, to create a world-class management school at the
Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa.
That gift, one of the largest ever earmarked for management education, will
make possible the William Davidson School of International Management.
Earlier, Davidson also gave $30 million to the University of Michigan.
The gift launched the Ann Arbor-based William Davidson Institute, which
helps develop overseas market economies. He gave another $5 million to
construct facilities at U-M's Business School, which have been completed.
The philanthropist also gave $15 million to the Jewish Theological
Seminary of America in New York to create the William Davidson Graduate
School of Jewish Education.
Another Davidson gift to the Israel Antiquities Authority established the
Davidson Archeological Park near Jerusalem's Western Wall.
Davidson is the principal investor in Phoenicia America-Israel (Flat Glass)
Limited in the central Galilee, the Federation-designated Partnership 2000
sister region for Detroit Jewry.
There are numerous other 'beneficiaries of Davidson's philanthropy within
metropolitan Detroit's Jewish community
Davidson recently gave $2 million to help launch the Hermelin-
Davidson Center for Congregation Excellence. The donation is a part of
the Jewish Federation/United Jewish Foundation's Millennium Campaign
for Detroit's Jewish Future. An additional $1 million was donated by for-
mer Ambassador David Hermelin of Bingham Farms, Davidson's partner
in several business ventures.
In recognition of his endeavors for Israel, Davidson received the American
Technion Society's 1998 Albert Einstein Award. He also received, in 1992,
the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit's highest honor, the Fred M.
Butzel Memorial Award.
— Alan Abrams

