More than 2,000 guests, each paying $100 a plate, tonight attended a dinner-concert arranged by the American Fund for Israel Institutions for S. Hurok, America’s leading impressario, in recognition of his “devoted efforts to the Fund and the development of music, culture and education in Israel.”
The affair climaxed the 1952 campaign of the American Fund for Israel Institutions for $1,934,000. Mr. Hurok sponsored the Habimah Theatre in an appearance in the United States in 1926 and managed the American tour of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra under the auspices of the Fund in 1951. He was presented at the dinner with a sliver Bible, designed and printed in Israel and with a copper plate mounted with the shields of the 12 tribes of Israel, in a modern design.
The functions of the American Fund for Israel Institutions were explained at the dinner by Edward A. Norman, president. Other speakers included Dr. Nahum Goldmann, chairman of the Jewish Agency, who stressed the need of the people of Israel for the “unifying influence of cultural activities.” A message of congratulations to the Fund and to Mr. Hurok from Israel’s Premier David Ben Gurion was read at the dinner. The concert, played by the Philadelphia Orchestra, was conducted by Leonard Bernstein.
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