Moshael J. Straus - A Long-time Jewish Communal Leader and Philanthropist - Elected President of American Friends of Bar-Ilan University

New York, NY, December 18, 2008 - Moshael J. Straus, a long-time Jewish communal leader and philanthropist who resides in northern New Jersey, has been elected as the new President of the Board of Trustees of the American Friends of Bar-Ilan University (AFBIU) in Israel.

At AFBIU’s recent Board of Trustees Meeting in New York City, where he was formerly elected to this position, Straus said, “I am excited to lead an organization that is supporting Israel’s fastest growing university and the largest Jewish university in the world. I am looking forward to working with our leadership to further strengthen a University where 33,000 students are receiving an outstanding education within a learning environment that fosters Jewish values and continuity.”

In an interview after the Board meeting, Straus said, “My goals as President of AFBIU are to raise Bar-Ilan’s visibility in the American Jewish community, as well as increase its support for the visionary work being undertaken by its professors and researchers.” He added, “Our efforts to increase awareness of Bar-Ilan and raise additional dollars have never been more important. With Israeli government cutbacks and the turmoil in the financial markets, Bar-Ilan will need increased funding from the United States.”

Straus commented that one of the important features of Bar-Ilan that attracted him to get further involved with its American Friends organization is “the major role the University is playing to bridge Israel’s religious and secular divide.” In expanding on this issue, Straus said, “Over 60% of Bar-Ilan students are secular. They gain a deeper insight into their magnificent Jewish heritage by being in an educational environment where tolerance is the key. Their Jewish identity grows at Bar-Ilan, which is the only university in Israel where every student must take at least 25% of his or her courses in Jewish studies.”

Mark Medin, Executive Vice President & CEO of AFBIU, said, “I am looking forward to working with Moshael, whose outstanding leadership skills and love for Klal Yisrael will have an extremely positive impact on our organization’s ability to expand funding for Bar-Ilan and help its students in need. There are great things happening at the University, and Moshael and I will do everything in our power to bring this unique institution of higher education to even greater heights of excellence.”

Straus has been deeply committed to supporting Jewish education. He has been a member of Bar-Ilan University’s Global Board of Trustees, and generously supports the University’s Professorial Sponsorship Program and Fellowships for BIU graduate students who are seeking Masters and Doctorate degrees in Jewish Studies.

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