Autumn 2001

FOUNDER'S MESSAGE

During the Rosh Hashanah season, which marks the beginning of a new Jewish year, Jews throughout the world have traditionally embarked on a journey of spiritual renewal. They accomplish this through reflecting on the past and contemplating commitments for the future.

As we celebrate the completion of one Jewish year and move toward the next, I am pleased to reflect upon the past twelve months with a sense of pride. In 5761, The Ronald S. Lauder Foundation was able to touch the lives of Jewish children across Central and Eastern Europe with more programs and schools than ever before.

This past year I had the privilege of joining in the dedication of two special educational programs: The Lauder Hamburg Kindergarten, which is the first Jewish educational institution to open in Hamburg, Germany in over 30 years, and in Kishinev, Moldova, the Foundation, in collaboration with ORT, completed construction of the much-needed Technical Training Center in the Jewish School.

In the coming year, the Foundation will once again take part in the miracle of Jewish renewal. On October 17, 2001, The Foundation will join together with the Jewish Community of Prague to celebrate the dedication of the new campus of The Lauder Gur Aryeh Jewish Day School and The Lauder Ohr Chadash Jewish High School. Close to 200 young, eager faces will fill new classrooms as they explore their heritage and traditions.

The Lauder L’viv Jewish National School in L’viv, Ukraine will be dedicated in 2002. As we near the completion of Phase 1 of this major renovation project, I look forward to welcoming the over 120 Jewish students in grades K-12 to their new school campus.

Just as the Jewish people rededicate themselves at the start of the New Year, so does The Ronald S. Lauder Foundation. We rededicate ourselves to help every Jewish boy and girl in Eastern and Central Europe receive a Jewish education; to ensure that the precious link to our rich heritage is strengthened; and to make certain that in homes across Central and Eastern Europe, the songs of Shabbat are once again sung proudly by our children.

As we welcome the New Year with the blast of the shofar, I look forward to continued success as we work together to strengthen the Jewish communities of Central and Eastern Europe. May the shofar sound as a clarion call for all of us to join together as one people and celebrate this miraculous renaissance.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year.

Ronald S. Lauder

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