from the December 8, 2004 issue of Real Estate Weekly ...

AFJCT celebrates friends' contributions

By Barbara Nelson

Nearly 400 guests attended the Tribute Dinner held by the American Friends of the Jerusalem College of Technology on November 16, where a congressional leader, a prominent attorney and successful businesswomen were honored for their important contribution to the organization.

The event held in the ballroom of the Grand Hyatt paid tribute to Leonard Grunstein, Esq. senior partner, Jenkens & Gilchrist Parker Chapin LLP; Patricia Morrison, Office Depot executive vice president and chief information officer; and U.S. Congressman Charles B. Rangel.

“The dinner was a huge success,” said Moshe Jacobs, executive director of the American Friends of the JCT. “The quality and the amount of people that came will really give us a boost.”

The AFJCT raises fund for the Jerusalem College of Technology, one of the Israel’s accredited schools of engineering, and the one in Jerusalem. The college graduates more than 10% of Israel’s high-tech engineers and 60% of its electro-optic engineers.

“American Friends of JCT brings together a diverse group of professionals and business people to support the school's mission,” said Aurora Cassirer, Esq. managing partner of Jenkens & Gilchrist Parker Chapin LLP and president of the AFJCT Board of Directors. “Len Grunstein, Patty Morrison, and Congressman Charles Rangel demonstrate the wide-spread support engendered by the ideals of the school.”

Although Congressman Rangle could not attend the event he videotaped his acceptance speech and sent Michelle Sherwood, Esq. of Jenkens & Gilchrist Parker Chapin LLP and his District Office Counsel to accept his award.

He especially noted how the JCT had made a positive impact on the entire region reaching out to several countries to expand their student base.

“I am particularly appreciative of the fact that JCT is reaching out for diversity not only to the newly arrived Ethiopians but also as an example of what can be done in the region,” said Congressman Rangle.

JCT also accommodates women who wish to study engineering, while maintaining their role in the Jewish family and in 1999 the college established Machon Tal, The Women’s School of Engineering.

Honoree Patricia Morrison was impressed with the college’s efforts.

“The Women’s School of Engineering at the Jerusalem College of Technology provides an especially compelling example of the advantages of taking a proactive approach to preparing for the future,” Morrison said in her acceptance speech. “I applaud you for the opportunities you are providing for women to acquire the latest knowledge and remain on the cutting edge of current trends in both engineering and management.  As you already have proven many times in the School’s relatively short history, these women are truly being prepared to take their places at the table in Israel’s rapidly growing high-technology industries.”

She also presented the organization with a $5,000 check from Office Depot.

“JCT brings together three important causes:  support for Israel; for education, particularly in technology; and diversity,” said Cassirer. The graduates of JCT have opened dozens of incubator companies in Jerusalem - (the most famous of which ultimately became Visionics, the publicly held company specializing in the face-recognition system widely used in airports and malls); its student body consists of 25% immigrants.  Its Ethiopians for Engineers program and its Women's School of Technology are the only ones of their kind in the world!