World Jewish Congress mourns passing of South African businessman and philanthropist Mendel Kaplan

Ronald Lauder: “Mendel Kaplan was one of the great leaders of world Jewry”

20 November 2009

Ronald Lauder: “Mendel Kaplan was one of the great leaders of world Jewry”

NEW YORK – The World Jewish Congress (WJC) mourns the passing of Mendel Kaplan, the South African businessman and philanthropist who in the past held many senior posts in the organization, including that of treasurer (1981-1991), chairman of the Governing Board and chairman of the Executive Committee (until January 2009). Kaplan died on Thursday at the age of 73. Praising his dedication to Jewish causes and to the State of Israel, WJC President Ronald S. Lauder called him “one of the great leaders of world Jewry over the past decades.”

Lauder declared: “As a gifted chairman of important bodies within the World Jewish Congress, as well as in the Jewish Agency of Israel and other Jewish organizations, he made a tremendous contribution to the well-being of Jews everywhere the world, in particular those in the former Soviet Union whose emigration he helped to make possible in the 1980s. Mendel Kaplan was one of the great contemporary Zionists, and over the past five decades he contributed immensely to turning the State of Israel as a vibrant, pluralistic democracy. He had a truly global vision for the Jewish people and supported many education projects.

“In his native South Africa, Mendel was second to none when it came to advocating the interests of the local community, and to defending Israel. He was a great moderator and helped to bring people together, to overcome divergences of opinion and to heal divisions. He will be sorely missed.

“We send our heartfelt condolences to Mendel’s wife Jill, his children and his grandchildren. May they be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem," the WJC president said.

The World Jewish Congress is the international organization representing the Jewish communities in 92 countries around the world. The WJC serves as the diplomatic arm of the Jewish people to governments and international organizations.