Irving Moskowitz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Irving Moskowitz
|
|
|---|---|
Moskowitz speaking at Beit Orot on the Mount of Olives
|
|
| Born | January 11, 1928 |
| Died | June 16, 2016 (aged 88) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | M.D. University of Wisconsin |
| Occupation | physician businessman philanthropist |
| Spouse(s) | Cherna Moskowitz |
| Children | eight, four boys and four girls |
Irving Moskowitz (born January 11, 1928 – died June 16, 2016) was an American doctor, businessman, and a person who supported many causes. He was known for helping to fund housing projects for Jewish families in East Jerusalem by buying land.
Contents
About Irving Moskowitz
Irving Moskowitz was the ninth of thirteen children. His parents were Jewish immigrants from Poland. He shared that 120 of his relatives were killed during the Holocaust.
He grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He earned a medical degree from the University of Wisconsin. After that, he moved to California. There, he started his own medical practice. He later built and managed several hospitals.
Moskowitz started his foundation in 1968. At the time of his death, he lived in Miami Beach, Florida.
Family Life and Support for Israel
Irving Moskowitz was married to Cherna. They had eight children together. Their family grew to include over 48 grandchildren and more than 20 great-grandchildren.
He was a strong supporter of Zionism, which is the movement for the self-determination and support of the Jewish people in their historic homeland. One of his important activities was creating a foundation to help the Shinlung people move to Israel.
His family also started the Moskowitz Prize for Zionism in 2008. This award celebrates people who have made important contributions to Zionism.
His Businesses and Foundation
Irving Moskowitz built a successful business. He ran hospitals and also managed legal gambling operations in California.
He founded the Moskowitz Foundation. This organization was created to "help people in need regardless of race, creed, politics or religion." The foundation raises money for Jewish housing projects in East Jerusalem. It does this through a charity bingo hall in Hawaiian Gardens, California.
The money is then given to two organizations, El'ad and Ateret Cohanim. These groups work to support Jewish housing projects in Palestinian neighborhoods of East Jerusalem.
Later Years
Irving Moskowitz battled Alzheimer's disease for many years. He passed away on June 16, 2016, at the age of 88.
Housing Projects Supported
In 2007, Moskowitz worked on plans to build new homes for Jewish families in East Jerusalem. He started plans to build 122 apartments at the site of the Shepherd Hotel in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.
The original plan was made smaller in 2009. Final approval was given for 20 apartments on March 23, 2010. This happened just hours before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Barack Obama at the White House.
The old Shepherd Hotel was torn down to make space for these new homes. A three-story parking garage and a new road were also planned for the area.
Helping Others: Philanthropy
Irving Moskowitz was the founder and leader of the Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation. This foundation gave $1.5 million to Hawaiian Gardens, California. This money helped build the Fedde Middle School Sports Complex. It was the first modern sports facility in that city.
He also gave money to other groups. These included Karl Rove's American Crossroads, the Center for Security Policy, and the Western Center for Journalism.
The Irving Moskowitz Foundation also helped with disaster relief.
- On March 17, 2011, it donated $100,000 to the American Red Cross. This was for relief efforts after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
- On June 26, 2013, the foundation gave another $100,000 to the American Red Cross. This was to help people in Oklahoma after a disaster.
- On November 21, 2013, the Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation gave $100,000 to the American Red Cross Long Beach Chapter. This money helped victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
