The Adelson Family Foundation has pledged another $30 million to the Birthright Israel Foundation.
Adelson, the casino mogul who is chairman of the Las Vegas Sands Corp., and his wife, Dr. Miriam Adelson, have now contributed nearly $100 million in gifts over the past two years to the foundation that supplies private funds to Birthright.
The latest pledge consists of a $20 million contribution for 2009 and $10 million for 2010, the president of the Adelson Foundation, Michael Bohnen, said in a news release Tuesday announcing the gift.
Sheldon Adelson in the release said Birthright Israel “has proven to be the best vehicle we have to strengthen the Jewish community and our people’s connection with the State of Israel. We are honored to have helped Birthright Israel establish a track record of effectiveness on an unprecedented scale, and we look forward to its continued success.”
He called the gift a challenge to other philanthropists to step up during difficult financial times.
Adelson in September 2007 was ranked third on the Forbes magazine list of wealthiest Americans with a net worth estimated at $28 billion. His own stock has dipped sharply in the past year, however, as the gaming industry has declined.
