"A Leadership Odyssey: Generating and Managing Change in Public and Private Domains," Lecture by Edgar Bronfman

Media contact: Noelle Lemoine, communications assistant; tele: (413) 597-4277; email: [email protected]

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., Oct. 12, 2001 — President of the World Jewish Congress Edgar Bronfman, Sr. ’50 will give a lecture titled “A Leadership Odyssey: Generating and Managing Change in Public and Private Domains” on Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 2:30 p.m. in Griffin Hall, room 3. Mr. Bronfman is the former chairman of Seagram Co.

Long recognized as an outstanding statesman with access to some of the world’s top decision-makers, he has used his position and contacts to pursue justice and has strengthened the sense of world community.

As president of the World Jewish Congress since 1981, Bronfman has advanced religious freedom and tolerance around the world, working tirelessly to right the wrongs of the Holocaust.

Notably, Bronfman has succeeded in having Switzerland repay $1.5 billion to the families of European Jews who deposited money in Swiss banks in the 1930s as World War II threatened.

In 1998, Bronfman served under President Clinton as chair of an advisory commission on Holocaust assets in the United States, which recommended ways of pursuing justice for elderly Holocaust survivors and their families.

In August of 1999, President Clinton awarded Bronfman the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award. The medal, which recognizes exceptional meritorious service, has traditionally been given to individuals, but Bronfman views his award as one for Jewish people everywhere.

The lecture is free and open to the public. However, seating is limited and will be available on a first-come basis.

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Published October 12, 2001