Ralph (Raphael) Irwin Goldman (1914-2014)
Founder of the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)-Israel and one of the leaders of the Jewish community in the US and worldwide. Born in Ukraine, his family immigrated to the US when he was 11. In 1937, he completed his studies at Harvard University, and received a stipend from a Zionist organization and immigrated to Israel. He lived in Kibbutz Ein HaShofet, took part in the establishment of Kibbutz Hanita and studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. When he returned to the US, he began to specialize in social and community work. He served in the in the American army during the Second World War and fought in France and Germany.
Goldman was active in supporting the establishment of the State of Israel by recruiting manpower, founding a radio station and purchasing arms. In 1953-57, he became David Ben-Gurion’s assistant and envoy in the US. In 1976-88 he served as the head of the global JDC and established its presence in Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union and Ethiopia.
In the sociocultural sphere, Goldman was one of the initiators and founders of the Israel Association of Community Centers. He was also involved in promoting the diffusion of community centers throughout Israel and co-established the Israel Education Fund which built kindergartens and schools in remote locations in Israel. He was one of the cofounders of Taub Center for Social Policy Studies in Israel and Myers-JDC-Brookdale institute for applied social research. He cofounded the Jerusalem Foundation and was a member of Habima Theater’s public board.
Goldman chaired the public committee established in November 1974 to examine the feasibility of merging the Batsheva and Bat-Dor companies. The committee recommended dissolving the joint association and allowing Batsheva to operate as an independent company supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the America-Israel Cultural Foundation. Goldman was a member of Batsheva’s first public council.
In 2003, Goldman received the Teddy Kollek Award for his lifetime achievements, and in 2008, on Israel’s 60th anniversary, he lit one of the ceremonial torches on Mount Herzl, Jerusalem.
Ralph Goldman died in Jerusalem in 2014 at age 100.