A $15 million grant from Taube Philanthropies will allow Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion to update, enhance and beautify its Jerusalem campus. The gift is Bay Area-based Taube Philanthropies’ largest grant ever to a Jewish organization.

Taube Philanthropies’ gift will come with a name change for the Jerusalem campus, which, as of June 29th, will be known as The Taube Family Campus. As part of capital improvements, the grant will cover a prominent new entrance to the campus, which will be designed by internationally renowned architect Moshe Safdie. This new space will be situated along King David Street. A new piazza will create a compelling public space for worship services, cultural events, and religious ceremonies and celebrations including b’nai mitzvah and weddings. Thanks to Taube Philanthropies’ support, HUC-JIR will be able to update the interior of its very first campus building, designed by International Style architect Heinrich Heinz Rau in 1963.

HUC-JIR will also collaborate with Taube Philanthropies’ senior staff to foster increased interaction with members of the HUC-JIR community, with a special emphasis on the Jewish community in Poland. Tad Taube was born in Krakow in 1931 and escaped Poland as a young boy on the eve of the Holocaust; he has spent his later years committed to supporting Poland’s Jewish resurgence. HUC-JIR’s and Taube Philanthropies’ joint efforts will include lectures, travel, and site visits.

 
HUC-JIR and Taube Philanthropies will celebrate their new partnership with a groundbreaking ceremony in Jerusalem on Wednesday, June 29, 2016.