May 21, 2012

An Interview with Sid Lejfer, Chairman of the New England Section of the American Technion Society

March 1, 2011

Sid Lejfer has been deeply involved with the Boston Jewish community for many years, lending his time and expertise to a number of major Jewish organizations, including AIPAC and the American Jewish Committee. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of the New England Region (as well as a member of the National Board of Directors) of the American Technion Society, an organization founded in 1940 in order to help support the Technion, one of Israel’s premier institutions of higher learning, and a hotbed of technological innovation. In this interview, Mr. Lejfer discusses why he feels it is important to support the Technion and other organizations whose work is helping to strengthen Israel and the Jewish community, as well as what has inspired him personally to take on leadership roles in the Jewish world.

 

 

NVR: You are presently the president of the New England regional chapter of the American Technion Society (ATS), a national organization which was founded in 1940 to help support and promote the work of the Technion, Israel’s most prestigious university when it comes to engineering and the sciences – for our readers who may not have heard of the ATS can you tell us a little about what the organization does and what inspired you to become involved as a leader?

 

The American Technion Society (ATS) provides critical support for the Technion. Our mission is to ensure that the Technion has the funds it needs to continue doing work at the highest level. We accomplish this through a network of regional and chapter offices around the country with thousands of supporters committed to our cause. The ATS is a fundraising pacesetter with an impressive record of raising major gifts for an Israel university. Most recently we completed a $1 billion campaign for the Technion. This was the largest campaign ever for an American organization raising funds for Israeli higher education, and one of the largest among American universities; only some 29 major American universities have billion dollar campaigns.

 

Ultimately, our work is not about numbers – it’s about changing human lives – ours, our brothers’ and sisters’ in Israel, and of people around the world. I am proud to be part of this effort.

 

 

NVR: Why do you personally feel it is important to support education and innovation in Israel? What are the benefits for both Israel and the rest of the world?

 

One needs only look at Israel’s history. It has become a high-tech powerhouse and an economic miracle. And, the Technion has helped turn the country from an exporter of oranges into an exporter of leading-edge technology, recognized globally as a scientific and technological centered economy.

 

Technion scientists and engineers are also improving lives worldwide with drugs that combat Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and several types of cancer; the most advanced water technologies, “green” buildings, and promising alternative energies; and anti-terror technologies that can save untold numbers of lives. 

 

For their efforts, Technion scientists are consistently recognized by the international scientific community with awards including the Nobel Prize.

 

For these reasons, we at the American Technion Society are passionate about our support for the Technion. We feel a direct connection to Technion researchers who enable Israel to be secure and prosperous.

 

 

NVR: Another organization you have been involved with is AIPAC, can you tell us a little about what inspired you to become involved with the organization and why you feel the work it does is important?

 

I have been involved with AIPAC for about four years. There is nothing more important to the viability of the State of Israel than the relationship with the United States of America. Recent events in the Middle East have created a very tenuous atmosphere. The professional staff and lay leadership at AIPAC work every single day to ensure that Israel receives the critical security assistance to deal with the ever increasing threats, maintain it’s qualitative military edge, and has the bi-partisan support of Congress.

 

 

NVR: Can you tell us a little about your own background and what inspired you to become involved in the Jewish community in Boston? Why is it personally important for you to devote time and energy to this community?

 

As the son of holocaust survivors, I was deeply affected by my parent’s experience. I decided to invest my time and resources in organizations that remember those who perished and honor those who survived the holocaust. I have been a supporter of the Friends of the New England Holocaust Memorial and chaired numerous Yom Hashoah Remembrance programs at Congregation Mishkan Tefila.

 

At the same time, I believe that the Jewish people need an economically and militarily strong Israel. I believe the best way to do that is through supporting the American Technion Society.  The Technion is training the very best engineers and scientist in the world, providing Israeli society with the brain power to fuel their economy.

 

And finally, AIPAC ensures a strong US Israel relationship. At no point in our lifetime do anyone of us want to say that we have not done enough to support the State of Israel.

 

 

Copyright 2011 The New Vilna Review.