JEWISH FEDERATIONS MOURN THE PASSING OF BERNARD RAPOPORT, Z"L. - States News Service

NEW YORK, NY -- The following information was released by the Jewish Federations of North America:

The Jewish Federations of North America mourns the passing of Bernard Rapoport, z'l, of Waco, Texas, a generous philanthropist and dedicated supporter of Israel. Rapoport passed away last week at age 94.

Rapoport, who was known to his friends as 'B,' was committed to Israel and the Jewish community. He was passionate about education, childcare and social justice, and donated much of his time and money to Jewish causes.

A son of poor Russian-Jewish immigrants, Rapoport went on to found the American Income Life Insurance Co. in 1951 in Waco. He sold the company in the mid-1990s for a reported $563 million. In 1954, he helped launch the Texas Observer, an Austin-based political magazine. In addition, he established the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Center for Human Rights and Justice at his alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin.

In 1986, Rapoport created the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation. Through his foundation, Rapoport cared for those in need in the local community of Waco and around the world. He also built and supported a range of Israel Education Fund (IEF) programs including the Ma'alot Cultural and Art Center in Northern Israel and the Mercaz Shimshon (Samson Center) in Jerusalem, among many others.

'Bernie was one of the great men of his generation,' said Terry M. Rubenstein, president of IEF. 'His passion and energy were boundless, and his commitment to Israel through his many projects with IEF are one of his most important legacies. We shall miss him.'

Rapoport also supported many Jewish Agency for Israel programs, educational scholarships and institutions, such as the Ben Yakir Youth Aliyah Village and a pre-kindergarten in Ramat Gan.

In Waco, the philanthropist founded the public school Rapoport Academy, and supported Planned Parenthood of Central Texas, whose health center is named in honor of his wife Audre.

'B Rapoport was an outspoken supporter of Israel and his Jewish people. He moved in a world of powerful and prominent movers and shakers, but he never forgot his humble Jewish origin,' said Stanley Hersh, JFNA's campaign chair in Waco. 'His philanthropy covered a gamut of both Jewish and non-Jewish causes; local, national and international. May his memory be a blessing for all who knew him.'

Rapoport served as chairman of the University of Texas Board of Regents, was appointed by former President Bill Clinton to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, and was a member of the Library of Congress Trust Fund Board, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, the Economic Policy Institute, the National Jobs For All Coalition, and the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. He was also a National Hispanic University Trustee Emeritus.

Rapoport once said the most important objective of his foundation was 'to recognize that when too few have too much, and too many have too little, then we do not have a sustainable society.'

Private services for Rapoport were held Monday, and a public memorial service is planned for Wednesday, April 11, at 12 p.m. at the Masonic Grand Lodge at 715 Columbus Ave. in Waco.

Rapoport is survived by his wife Audre of Waco, son and daughter-in-law Robert and Patricia of Williamsburg, Va., and granddaughters Abby and Emily of Austin.

May the entire Rapoport family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem and may his memory be forever as a blessing.