JTA's The Fundermentalist blog has an interesting post detailing where prominent Jews are directing their contributions. Education, museums, federations and the like seem to garner the most funds.Jacob Berkman mentioned these names: Michael Bloomberg, Eli and Edythe Broad, Barry Diller and Diane Von Furstenberg, Larry Ellison, Joan and Irwin Jacobs, George Kaiser, Lorry Lokey, Bernie and Millie Marcus, Bernard and Barbro Osher, David M. Rubenstein, Herb and Marion Sandler, Jeff Skoll, Shelby White (Leon Levy was her late husband), and Sanford and Joan Weill.
I saw only White connected to a possible genealogical purpose in the form of donations to the Center of Jewish History and a separate donation to one of its archival projects.
With all this money - and such prominent names - isn't there a way for Jewish genealogy projects and organizations to benefit for the good of all researchers? It's a question to ponder as the High Holydays creep closer!
Read the complete blog post at the link above.
What an interesting article. When I speak to people here in Tel Aviv, it seems that this question about what to do with donations is touchy. Everyone has their own ideas and sometimes even needs (they run or work for a non-profit organization.) I know an architect who thinks that her work on making Israel a better place to live and work really believes in her mission. But compare to schools and hospitals, she hardly has a strong emotional pull.
ReplyDeleteI write about life in Tel Aviv, see my blog at: http://bit.ly/h0X7w (http://israeltomorrow.blogspot.com) street level view of real life in Tel Aviv. Also, lots of pictures.