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Andrea and Charles Bronfman, surrounded by birthright israel alumni
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| By Israel Insider staff and partners January 24, 2006 |
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Andrea Bronfman, a philanthropist and the wife of a former co-chairman of the Seagram Co., was struck by a livery cab and killed near her Manhattan home early Monday, police said. She was 60.
The vehicle struck Bronfman as she was out walking her dog and crossing the street, authorities said. She died at New York Weill-Cornell Medical Center.
Bronfman was married to billionaire Charles Bronfman, who was born heir to the Canadian Seagram's liquor empire and rose to be its co-chairman with his brother Edgar Bronfman Sr.
The couple has been active in numerous charities, in part through the work of the Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies. They were co-founders of the birthright israel program, which has brought 100,000 young Jews on pilot educational trips to Israel.
Andrea Bronfman also helped organize the Gift of New York, a charity put together after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks to provide free tickets to sports and cultural events in New York to the families of the victims.
The World Jewish Congress, whose president is Edgar Bronfman Sr., called Andrea Bronfman a pillar of her family and of the Jewish community.
"Her way was that of the Jewish matriarchs, and her passing leaves a void that can never be filled," the group said in a statement.
Police said no charges were filed against the driver who hit Bronfman.
Taglit-birthright israel issued the following statement about Andrea Bronfman's life, loves, and works:
"Andy's philanthropic interests in Jewish peoplehood and Zionism were varied and deeply felt. Through a variety of programs, Andy saw to it that Israeli children, soldiers and disadvantaged would have a brighter future through quality education and exposure to the arts. She also championed environmental causes in Israel, helping to raise the awareness of the challenges facing Israel's natural resources. In addition, Andy promoted Arab-Israeli dialogue in hopes that the people of Israel would someday live in peace with their neighbors."
"Andy's love of Israel went beyond her philanthropic involvement. Along with her husband, she spent summers in Israel each year living and working in Jerusalem. Most recently, she was overseeing a renovation of their historic home in Rehavia, where she planned to house some of the couple's extensive, renowned modern art collection."
"From her innovative work in North America with young philanthropists with 21/64, to reaching out to influential young Jews outside of mainstream organizations with Reboot, to her latest efforts to promote Israeli artists with AIDA, Andy always wanted to do things better, different and more thoroughly. Of course, she was instrumental in the creation, execution and eventual success of the Taglit-birthright israel organization, providing critical leadership during the program's early years. Andy also demonstrated a deep compassion for her fellow New Yorkers as creator of the Gift of New York program, which secured access to arts, recreation and cultural institutions for families of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks."
"Andrea was a woman who didn't merely give generously to the many causes she so generously supported - hers was a deep personal commitment, as well, of time and individual involvement. Though her many wonderful endeavors and contributions will live on for years to come, her personal involvement will be deeply missed."
The AP contributed to this report.
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