New York, July 9, 2007 - American Friends of The Hebrew University and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem mourn the passing of a leader and philanthropist whose impact on Israel and The Hebrew University is unparalleled.
Born in 1910 and immigrating to Philadelphia from a small town in the Ukraine when he was only 1 ½ years old, Samuel Rothberg played a vital role in the American Jewish community for over 65 years. From the moment he returned from a ten week fact-finding trip on behalf of United Jewish Appeal to the Displaced Persons Camps of Europe in 1946, he became a tireless advocate on behalf of Israel.
A Legend for his scope and vision, Sam Rothberg played a uniquely central role in the development of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His leadership and support earned him the accolade "Mr. Hebrew University," bestowed with love and gratitude by the thousands of students, faculty, administrators, and friends of the University to whom he was so devoted.
In the United States, Sam Rothberg served as chairman of AFHU’s Board of Directors (1962-1969), subsequently as a member of the Board. He was our esteemed president from 1969 to 1971, and became an honorary president pursuant to leaving this office. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, Sam received a special AFHU 50th Anniversary State of Israel Award.
Elected chairman of Hebrew University’s International Board of Governors immediately following the Six Day War in 1967, a position he held until 1981, Sam oversaw the reconstruction of the Mt. Scopus Campus and the return of the University to its original home. Under his leadership, Hebrew University was transformed into a residential campus with dormitories for thousands of students. He played a dominant role in the expansion of the Center for Pre-Academic Studies, enabling thousands of disadvantaged young people to have the opportunity of a university education.
Founding the Golda Meir Fellowship Program at Hebrew University in 1984, Sam Rothberg brought outstanding scientists and academicians from all over the world to Jerusalem. His commitment to Jewish education led to the establishment in 1975 of the Samuel Rothberg Prize in Jewish Education. He likewise played a major role in the creation of both the Harry S. Truman Institute for the Advancement of Peace in 1966 and the Hubert H. Humphrey Center for Cancer Research and Experimental Medicine in 1977. Helping to establish the Wall of Life, which encouraged large-scale endowment of academic projects, and the Honorary Alumni Society, which attracted international support for University projects, Sam Rothberg ensured ongoing worldwide commitment to Hebrew University’s ongoing excellence.
Perhaps the project that gave Sam Rothberg the most satisfaction was the establishment of the School for Overseas Students, a concept he pioneered in the late 1960s, which was renamed in his honor in 1981. Through his foresight, thousands of students from all over the world have come to The Rothberg International School, enriching Jewish life in the Diaspora and creating lifelong ties to Israel.
Throughout his long association with The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Sam Rothberg received numerous awards, including AFHU’s Scopus Award in 1962, an Honorary Doctorate from Hebrew University in 1966, the S.Y. Agnon Gold Medal Award in 1975, the Golda Meir Leadership Award, in 1979, and the Jabotinsky Award in 1984, bestowed jointly by Hebrew University and Israel Bonds in honor of 40 Years of Service to the State of Israel.
Honored and saluted by Israel’s prime ministers from David Ben-Gurion to Ehud Barak, all of whom acknowledged his unique contributions to Israel, Sam Rothberg created an unforgettable legacy. A founder of the State of Israel Bond Organization, a founder of the Israel Investors Corporation, a member of the Executive Committee of the Jewish Agency for Israel/World Zionist Organization, the first National Chairman of Major Gifts for the United Jewish Appeal, and a leader in countless other organizations, he devoted his life to Israel’s well being.
The memory of Samuel Rothberg will live on as a continuing reminder of the power of one man’s vision. Our heartfelt condolences go to Sam Rothberg’s beloved family: his wife Jean, his children Heidi Rothberg; Kathleen Barnett and her husband Brian; Michael Rothberg and his wife Amy; and Patrick Rothberg; and to the couple’s six grandchildren.
For further information please contact AFHU at info@afhu.org
