Contact: Sunny Mindel (212) 788-2958
Edward Skyler (212) 788-2969
Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani tonight received the "Hero of Freedom Award" from the Be'er Hagolah Institutes. Now in their twentieth year, the Institutes are the largest school in the United States dedicated solely to educating the children of Russian immigrants of Jewish descent. Richard Hirsch, the Vice-President of Be'er Hagolah Institutes, joined the Mayor at Gracie Mansion for the award ceremony.
"It is an honor to receive this award from the Be'er Hagolah Institutes. For the last twenty years, they have been providing one of the world's most valuable commodities, education, to the children of Brooklyn's large population of Russian immigrants," the Mayor said. "As the Capital of the World, New York City has been a beacon for immigrants throughout the 20th Century. While we approach the new Millenium, it is important to recognize organizations like Be'er Hagolah which do us all a great service by easing the transition for those who are new to our country."
Also honored at the ceremony for their support of Be'er Hagolah Institutes were the Gruss Foundation, Albert Reichmann, Harry Walker, Ludmilla Kislin, Matthew Drillman, Milton & Shirley Gralla, Martin & Rose Romerovski and Jerome & Ruth Turk. All were presented with the "Defenders of Freedom Award" by Mayor Giuliani.
Established in 1979 after a wave of 250,000 Russian Jews immigrated to America, the mission of Be'er Hagolah has been to provide Russian Jewish immigrants with the education and skills to adapt and succeed in the United States. Emphasizing math and science, the schools offer every grade from Kindergarten through high school, teaching not only English and American history but also Jewish culture and heritage. Currently 1,000 students are enrolled at Be'er Hagolah's new school at Starret City in Brooklyn and another facility in Brighton Beach houses the female high school. 95% of all students receive full tuition scholarships from the Institute.