JEWISH NATIONAL FUND HONORS DR. MICHAEL CROW AND ANN AND TED ZINMAN
The Jewish National Fund is deeply honored to recognize the tremendous accomplishments and vision of Arizona State University President Dr. Michael Crow with its annual Tree of Life Celebration. The Tree of Life is a humanitarian award given in recognition of outstanding community involvement, dedication to the cause of American-Israeli friendship and devotion to peace and security of human life. The award honors leaders for their achievements and innovations in industry, government and education. The award will be presented during the annual Arizona Tree of Life Celebration on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2017 at 6 pm at the Camby Hotel in Phoenix.
Dr. Crow has been instrumental in building the Arizona-Israel relationship, which has flourished and thrived, establishing new partnerships, research collaborations and opportunities for joint study abroad programs. President Crow has worked to integrate Jewish life into the vibrant fabric of the ASU community by representing Jewish interests on the Council of Religious Advisors, bringing kosher food to campus and fostering a strong Jewish studies program. Under his tutelage, ASU and Ben Gurion University of the Negev expanded their alliance to establish a new joint research agreement to focus on areas of shared strength, including cybersecurity, homeland security, nanotechnology, community medicine, remote sensing and sustainability. ASU also belongs to the U.S Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Israel Business Initiative. President Crow has consistently refused calls to join the academic boycott of Israel, stating: “If anyone will bring a lasting peace, academia is where we want to begin dialogue.”
“It is truly a distinct honor to be awarded the JNF Tree of Life Award as we share the same commitment for a strong Israel and working together as partners to create innovations that make the world better for everyone,” remarked President Crow.
During the Tree of Life Celebration, JNF will also honor Ann and Ted Zinman with the coveted Golden Branch Award. The Golden Branch is awarded to individuals in recognition of their support for Jewish National Fund, Israel and the community.
“We are delighted to receive JNF’s Golden Branch Award,” the Zinmans said in a joint statement. “Being recognized by an organization that does so much for the land and people of Israel is a tremendous honor. We firmly believe that we all need to support Israel, and JNF is the best means of channeling that support.”
Philanthropy and Israel are two passions of Ann and Ted Zinman. Their involvement with JNF spans nearly a decade and their commitment is leaving lasting positive impacts on the land and people of Israel. The Zinmans describe Israel as their home; a place that they support with all their hearts. The Zinman’s support of JNF is widespread. Ann sits on the Women’s Executive Board, the Go North Task Force, is a Makor member and a past president of the Arizona Board of Directors. In May 2017, she will co-chair JNF’s Interfaith Mission to Israel. While all of JNF’s projects and partners are special to the Zinmans, their hearts are particularly touched by the work done at ALEH Negev-Nahalat Eran and JNF’s Sderot Indoor Recreation Center. Because of a personal connection to the Ayalon Bullet Factory, the site of secret bullet manufacturing factory operational in the years preceding Israel’s founding, they are dedicated to the Society for Preservation of Israel Heritage Sites. The Zinmans belong to Congregation Or Tzion and enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.
Publication: azjewishlife.com