NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The goal of enhancing Jewish life at Vanderbilt University has been strengthened by the successful conclusion of a campaign to raise a $2.4 million endowment for the Vanderbilt Hillel.
Vanderbilt has raised $1.71 million in pledges and contributions to meet its end of a challenge issued by The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation of Baltimore, which pledged $1 for every $2 raised, up to $800,000.
“A strong Hillel is a boon for Jewish life in the region and the students it touches,” said Donn Weinberg, vice president of The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. “We’re pleased to help with this vital and growing part of the Nashville and Vanderbilt communities.”
The endowment will be used to expand the staff of Vanderbilt Hillel, guarantee that new programs and activities will flourish and maintain The Ben Schulman Center for Jewish Life, a 10,000-square-foot building that is the first permanent campus home for Vanderbilt Hillel.
“The overwhelming response of alumni and parents and grandparents of Vanderbilt students to this campaign is one sign of the contagious excitement surrounding Jewish life at Vanderbilt,” said Ari Dubin, executive director of Vanderbilt Hillel. “We’re grateful to the Weinberg Foundation.”
Vanderbilt has substantially grown its percentage of Jewish students since 1987 when 3 percent of freshmen identified their religious preference as Jewish. That rose to 6 percent by 2002, and now is more than 11 percent and steadily rising.
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation is the nation’s 23rd largest foundation, with assets of about $2 billion and annual grant distributions of more than $100 million. It was founded in 1959 by businessman Harry Weinberg and his wife, Jeanette. Harry Weinberg died in 1990, little more than a year after the death of his wife.
Media contact: Jim Patterson, (615) 322-NEWS
jim.patterson@vanderbilt.edu