Thursday, January 7, 2016
Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies Shut Down January 1; Profiled in Jerusalem Post
On January 21, 2016, Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies (ACBP) closed after three decades of miracle making, having “spent down” their capital, as planned. While saying shalom, adieu and farewell to this family of foundations based in Jerusalem, Montreal and New York, we also should say toda, merci and thank you for their “catalytic philanthropy,” triggering constructive change throughout Israel, North America and the Jewish world.
Full disclosure: I am a great fan of Charles Bronfman, the 84-year-old heir to the Seagrams liquor fortune who funded these foundations. His three favorite (and favourite) cities are mine too. I had the privilege of watching him and his extraordinary late wife Andy in action, as they launched Taglit-Birthright Israel, and I have tried helping him in my own insignificant ways in that endeavor ever since. . .