Bill Davidson, in an exclusive
interview, reflects on his efforts
to bolster Judaism in America
through education.

couldn't attend last
year
either. The
Special to the Jewish News
JTS will give other
hen the Jewish Theological honors to five cou-
ples from Detroit-
Seminary (JTS) presented
area Conservative synagogues.
Chancellor's Medals to
Davidson, the quiet billionaire
several honorees in New York this
industrialist-sportsman,
who still
time last year, Jewish businessman-
at
Yom
Kippur
morn-
maftir
recites
philanthropist Bill Davidson of
ing services each year at
Bloomfield Hills, one of the intend-
Congregation Shaarey Zedek in
ed recipients, couldn't attend
Southfield, is being honored for his
because he was busy as managing
ongoing commitment to Jewish edu-
partner of his professional basketball
cation. Commitments by philan-
team. The Detroit Pistons were
thropists like Davidson
heavily involved in the
are important in view of
league playoffs elsewhere.
National
Jewish
JTS officials want to
Population Survey 2000-
give him the award this
year, but they find themselves in the .2001 findings that show less than
half of all American Jews belong to
same predicament — the Pistons are
synagogues and that most Jewish
defending their National Basketball
children end their religious educa-
Association championship. So the
school's chancellor and creator of the tion after their bar or bat mitzvah.
In 1994, Davidson gave an
medal, Dr. Ismar Schorsch, will
unprecedented
$15 million gift to
bestow it upon 18 grantees this year
the JTS to create the William
(in honor of his 18 years with JTS)
Davidson Graduate School of Jewish
and will come to Michigan on
Education, a milestone for the semi-
Monday, May 23, to make sure
nary, the Jewish community and
Davidson gets the award. Also
Jewish education in general. It was
receiving a medal will be Doreen
the largest donation ever made to a
Hermelin of Bingham Farms, who

BILL CARROLL

W

COVER STORY

Bill Davidson will receive JTS Chancellor's Medal

single institution of Jewish educa-
tion in the country. JTS is the
Conservative movement's rabbinic
and teaching school.
"Bill Davidson's gift enabled us to
make a quantum leap in Jewish edu-
cation," said Dr. Schorsch. "We are
now the largest Jewish educational
institution in the world."
JTS, founded in 1886 and located
on New York's Upper West Side, has
rabbinical and cantorial professional
schools as well as the Davidson pro-
gram, which offers master's and doc-
toral degrees and even finances stu-
dent tuition. All students have to do
is cover their living expenses,
although JTS even provides some
living quarters; many of the students
live in New York apartments.
"Bill Davidson's generosity in this
regard is most satisfying because
graduates just can't be saddled with

debt and having to repay loans when
they go out to become Jewish educa-
tors'," Dr. Schorsch pointed- out.
"They don't earn enough money in
this field. Our teaching ranks are
thin, yet teaching is the backbone of
our efforts to cultivate and deepen
Jewish identity in American society."
Almost a decade after Davidson
made the gift, the school is flourish-
ing — and he is keeping a watchful
eye on it. He received an honorary
doctorate from the JTS after the gift
was announced, but the Chancellor's
Medal is the first major award for
his efforts. "The Davidson School is
significant because there are very few
buildings with Bill Davidson's name
on it," offered a longtime aide. "He
takes extra special interest in places
like this."
There also is the William
CHAMPION on page 36
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2005

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