Sonneborn Honored; $1m Raised for Fund for Disadvantaged Students

Some 650 prominent guests, comprising a cross-section of the American Jewish community, gathered last night at the Americana Hotel to pay tribute to Rudolf G. Sonne-born, the American oil magnate and philanthropist who mobilized massive behind-the-scenes financial support which made possible the post-World War II immigration to Israel and the effort which enabled the fledgling state to defend itself during the War of Independence.

Sonneborn was presented with the S.Y. Agnon Gold Medal, the highest national honor of the American Friends of the Hebrew University, for his unstinting aid and support to education in Israel. Prof. Milton Handler, chairman of the dinner-tribute given by the American Friends, announced a projected $1 million scholarship fund for disadvantaged students which friends and admirers contemplate establishing at Hebrew University in honor of Sonneborn. Handler also reported a donation of $500,000 for a new law school building on the Mt. Scopus campus, a $300,000 donation for an auditorium in life sciences, and a $250,000 donation for a scholarship program in the faculty of agriculture.

Mayor John V. Lindsay issued a citation in honor of Sonneborn declaring that his “invaluable services” during the pre-statehood heroic struggle for Israel “merits the admiration and gratitude of all our citizens and symbolizes the friendship between the two great democracies–the United States and Israel.” Lindsay also issued a proclamation naming yesterday as “American Friends of the Hebrew University-Builders of Peace Day.”

Israeli President Zalman Shazar was among dozens of internationally renowned figures to send greetings to Sonneborn. Shazar, in his message from Israel, said “I can imagine no more appropriate recipient of the Agnon medal than our cherished Rudolf Sonneborn who has played no less than a historic role in the defense and strengthening of Israel’s people and their highest ideals.”

Bernard Cherrik, vice-president of Hebrew University paid tribute to Sonneborn and to the scholarship fund to aid youth from the Oriental community. He said that no one should be complacent because Israel is not involved in an actual war. “Israel still faces a series of challenges and is still at war politically five years later.” Sonneborn, in a message read by his cousin, Dr. Henry Sonneborn III, president of the American Friends, described the origin and development of Hebrew University, the oldest and largest university in Israel, and his close friendship with David Ben-Gurion.

Religious zealots won unanimous approval in the Tel Aviv City Council for their demand for separate bathing facilities for men and women on most of the city’s beaches.