HUC's "Jerusalem campus deserves a beautiful, modern campus that matches the institution’s lofty goals.”
By PEGGY CIDORThe plan for the upgraded campus(photo credit: HEBREW UNION COLLEGE)
A $15 million grant from Taube Philanthropies will enable Hebrew Union College- Jewish Institute of Religion, the Reform Movement’s headquarters in Israel, to update, enhance and beautify its Jerusalem campus. The June 29 ceremony will be attended by the heads of HUC and official guests, although it is not clear if Mayor Nir Barkat will attend.“Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion is doing groundbreaking work in training the next generation of Reform rabbis, cantors, educators and nonprofit leaders, for Israel and the Jewish people as a whole,” said Tad Taube, chairman of Taube Philanthropies. “Therefore, its Jerusalem campus deserves a beautiful, modern campus that matches the institution’s lofty goals.”The gift will come with a name change for the Jerusalem campus, which as of June 29 will be known as the Taube Family Campus. The grant will cover a new entrance to the campus, which will be designed by internationally renowned architect Moshe Safdie, along King David Street; and a new plaza will create a public space for worship services, cultural events and religious ceremonies.The HUC Jerusalem campus is the stronghold of the Reform Movement in the Jewish state, encompassing the World Union for Progressive Judaism, Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism, Union for Reform Judaism and Israel Religious Action Center, as well as a rabbinical study hall. All HUC North American rabbinical, cantorial, and education students are required to spend their first year of study at the campus, where they establish ties to Israel.As for the donor himself, Tad Taube has a long history of supporting the renewal of Jewish life and culture in Poland. Born in Krakow in 1931, he was fortunate enough to escape as a young boy on the eve of the Holocaust.
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