Special Report

BILL DAVIDSON LEGACY

Rebounding from page A13

Foundation Impact

he late William "Bill" Davidson
never really like founda-
tions, reports his son-in-law,
Jonathan S. Aaron, because of the
many procedures and legalities
involved. Yet he created what prom-
ises to become one of the most sig-
nificant foundations in the state.
The multi-million-dollar William
Davidson Foundation now will con-
tinue to fund his many philanthropic
endeavors.
"He really believed in donating
money the old-fashioned way," said
Aaron. "You write a personal check
to a charity and that's it. But he
later realized the necessity of hav-
ing a foundation to successfully
carry out his 'second business,' that
of philanthropy. His foundation now
will be his legacy to all of us — the
many charitable causes everywhere,
and, of course, a multitude of Jewish
organizations and charities."
Aaron, who is in line for new roles
at Davidson's Guardian Industries
Corp., will be president of the William
Davidson Foundation, which also

IT

and trucks; they adorn the facades of the
some of the world's most famous build-
ings.

Nurtured Roots

Aaron reflected on the "can't believe he's
gone" atmosphere that permeates the
building as employees walk to and fro,
the men without neckties, emulating one
of Davidson's trademarks during his time
at the helm of Guardian, a company he
rescued from the brink of bankruptcy
more than a half century ago.
"I joined the company five years ago
because he made me an offer I just
couldn't refuse," mused Aaron, "and I'm
glad I accepted it. Working under him
was a terrific experience."
In fact, even though Aaron attended
Berkley High School, he says, "I consider
myself to also be a graduate of Detroit
Central High School because of how
much I was influenced by Bill and my
father, both of whom went to Central.

A14

April 30 2009

will be guided by his mother-in-law,
Karen Davidson; his wife, Mary, who
is Karen's daughter; Ethan Davidson,
Bill's son by his first marriage, and
Rose Calcaterra, a longtime Guardian
employee, who will be foundation
secretary/treasurer.
Ethan Davidson, 39, is pursuing a
master's degree at the University of
Michigan. His sister, Marla Davidson
Karimipour, 37, is an artist. Neither
has a role at Guardian.
Aaron declined to reveal any of
Davidson's specific philanthropic
bequests, saying the value of the
estate assets is still being deter-
mined.
But the family had pinpointed
four major organizations for people
to honor him with contributions:
the Weizmann Institute of Science
in Rehovot, Israel; the Jewish
Theological Seminary's Davidson
Graduate School of Education in New
York; Congregation Shaarey Zedek of
Oakland County; and Detroit-based
Henry Ford Health Systems.
"Bill firmly believed in making

They always talked about what they
learned at Central and passed it on to me.
They were the two great mentors in my
life:'
Aaron's father, Dennis Aaron, was an
attorney and member of the Oakland
County Board of Commissioners. Dennis
died in 1994.

Synagogue Connections

Aaron says he's "proud to be a product"
of religious training and a bar mitzvah
at Oak Park's Congregation Beth Shalom,
where his mother, Marilyn, is still active.
"It wasn't easy for me to switch to
Shaarey Zedek later;' he pointed out, "but
in true Bill Davidson fashion, he prom-
ised me `courtside; or, in this case, `bimah
side' seats for the High Holidays. Shaarey
Zedek has become my spiritual home?'
Aaron is moving up in the officer ranks
toward Shaarey Zedek's presidency, and
was elected treasurer at the synagogue's
annual meeting this month.

Robert

Aronson

large gifts to a few institutions
as opposed to the shotgun
approach," said Aaron. "It was
easier for him to write a $50
million check than a $5,000
check because he didn't visualize a
larger impact that would come from
smaller grants.
"We believe that approach will con-
tinue because he trained us well. Our
philanthropy really is an investment
and we expect to see returns in the
form of opportunities for others."
Before the foundation, Aaron
pointed out, Davidson and his wife
donated "upwards of $200 million"
during his lifetime to causes that
included organizations and charities
in Israel and the American Jewish
community; education; medical
research; fine arts; sports; a training
program for Jewish community ser-
vice professionals, and others. Aaron
said he funded MBA programs and
Jewish education programs for many
young people, and set up a college
scholarship program for children of
Guardian employees.

"I'll be proud to serve as president at
the same synagogue where Bill devoted
so much of his time and resources," says
Aaron. "We have a dream team of young
clergy and are reaching out to many
young families?'

Skill Building
Aaron got a degree in general studies at
the University of Michigan, then a law
degree from Detroit College of Law, fol-

The founda-
tion was creat-
ed in 2005 with
seed money
of $100,000;
$5 million was added in 2006, and
the bulk of the grants were made
last year, said Aaron. These include:
grants totaling $81,000 in 2007,
the largest being $70,000 to the
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit; $1 million to Royal Oak-
based Beaumont Hospital last year
in honor of Davidson's friend and
physician in his early years, Dr.
Sandor Shoichet of Bloomfield Hills;
$1 million to the Henry Ford Health
System (Henry Ford physicians took
care of him in his later years), and a
pledge, not yet fully funded, of $15
million to the Davidson Institute at
the Weizmann Institute of Science,
Aaron said.
"I firmly believe that the Bill
Davidson legacy will continue to
involve his family," said Federation
CEO Robert Aronson, who had been
Davidson's philanthropic adviser. 7J

lowing an auspicious beginning.
"After U-M, I began traveling and was
going to visit Israel before starting law
school:' he recalled, "but my father said,
`There'll always be an Israel, but you
should begin law school now? I told him I
could never return home to start classes
on time. So he registered for me and
attended the first week of classes, taking
great notes, until I got back and took over?'

Rebounding on page A16

In his Auburn Hills office, Jonathan
Aaron looks over a framed sports

page featuring the Detroit Pistons.

