ZBT Class of 1959 Honored for $1.1 Million Hillel House Gift

Celebrating their 50th reunion, the ZBT Class of 1959 was honored at a Hillel reception on May 1. The brothers were recognized for their leadership gift of $1.1 million towards the goal of $4 million for the new Hillel House. This early gift inspired many alumni, and set the bar high for others to follow.

At the reception, the Director and President of Hillel thanked the great guys in the ZBT Class of 1959 for their support. W&L Hillel Director Joan Robins noted that these alumni are helping to shape an exciting vision of Jewish community life at W&L. Each member of the group was introduced: Steve Marks, Steve Friedlander, Jerry Sklar, Arnold Steiner, Don Sigmund, Tony Frank, Ralph Evans, Ed Levy, and Merritt Pizitz. A spokesman for the group, Ralph Evans, talked about what a difference the gift to the Hillel House will make toward Jewish life at W&L. He also said that his gift was in honor of his lifelong fraternity friends, and in memory of those who are gone. The program closed with the Shehecheyanu (prayer of thanks for special occasions), led by Jerry Sklar. It was an incredible feeling to look around the living room of the Commons, and see students, faculty, and alumni all joining together in prayer!