Billionaire philanthropist Edgar Bronfman Sr. speaks Thursday about the
future of Jewish life on campus at a luncheon sponsored by the Helene G.
Simon Center, 730 E. Third St.
KARYN HODGES / IDS
Paula Freund
Indiana Daily Student
It's not every day students meet a billionaire philanthropist who dedicates millions to improving religious and race relations, but several had the opportunity Thursday.
Edgar Bronfman Sr. spoke with students at the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center, 730 E. Third St. about the renaissance of Jewish life on campus.
"I am fascinated with Jewish youth and education," Bronfman said. "Hillel is really the only national success in Jewish life. More and more college students are becoming a part of it every year - and they're proud of themselves and what they're doing as Jews."
Bronfman is president of the World Jewish Congress, as well as president of the World Restitution Organization. These two organizations strive to maintain the integrity of Judaism all over the world while encouraging the advancement of its culture.
"The world used to be a place where Jews were forced to be Jewish," Bronfman said. "Now children are Jewish by choice and we have a totally different world - we are completely welcomed in non-Jewish communities."
Bronfman is chairman of the Seagram Company Ltd. and chairman of the board of governors of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, as well as numerous charitable organizations throughout the world. He spoke to students with Richard Joel, president and international director of Hillel.
IU is the 30th campus in the country Joel and Bronfman have visited on their trip to encourage participation in Jewish life. At the "Talking 'bout my generation" luncheon, which was attended by 85 students, Joel encouraged students to become involved with Judaism.
"It's time to provoke a paradigm shift in what defines the Jewish community," Joel said. "We need to go back to 'Jews doing Jewish' and not focus on nostalgia but instead on Jewish life, celebration and knowledge."
Sophomore Ellen Brandwein, who attended the luncheon, said she enjoys spending time at the local Hillel Center and participating in its programs.
"Without Hillel, there would be less Jewish awareness on campus," Brandwein said. "I wouldn't know, and I'm sure a lot of others wouldn't know, what's going on in the Jewish community and the Middle East. To me, Hillel is pretty essential."
There were several IU alumni joining Bronfman and Joel during the panel discussion. The alumni represented a span of 50 years and discussed what Jewish life was like on campus when they were students. Two of the panelists could not remember experiencing any anti-Semitism on campus, but 1970 graduate Maxine Landers said she faced so much anti-Semitism in her first 60 days as a student that it almost sent her home.
"With no contact or family, it was a very difficult time," Landers said. "One occasion was in the cafeteria and all the students moved to another table when I sat down. It was very hard because there was no one to talk to. A place like the Hillel that the students have now is absolutely wonderful."
Now it seems as though anti-Semitism doesn't show its face too often on campus. Freshman Kate Breiter supports the renaissance Bronfman and Joel are pursuing.
"I'm very optimistic about what the future holds," she said. "The programming they do at Hillel is good and they seem to have a lot of people interested in what they're doing. I agree with the differences in experiences between generations, and I'm happy to say I haven't seen or felt any anti-Semitism here."
During Bronfman's visit to the University, IU President Myles Brand awarded him the President's Medal. Brand said the medal is presented on rare occasions to those individuals who have performed outstanding civic service.
"(Bronfman's) leadership in the Jewish community makes him highly qualified," Brand said. "In particular, his leadership in Hillel, which provides opportunities for students to participate in Jewish life. He is a civic leader, a leader of the business community and a significant philanthropist."
Joel said it is because of Bronfman's work through all these positions that he is able to have influence on the Jewish renaissance they are vigorously promoting. Bronfman has donated millions of dollars to Hillel and other organizations to encourage the involvement of Jewish youths.
Senior Steve Landers, president of the student board at Hillel and co-chairman for the luncheon, said he found Bronfman's message very interesting.
"It's not always that easy to stand up and say 'I'm Jewish and I'm proud of it, this is important to me,' but Bronfman does that," he said. "He's devoted a major part of his life and money to support and spur on the idea of Jewish renaissance."