Kraft makes large donation to Columbia University for promotion of understanding

The owner of the American Football club New England Patriots is donating US$ 1.5 million to Columbia University, New York, to promote cross-cultural understanding. Robert Kraft’s donation, expected to be announced by the university Thursday, is a response to turmoil at Columbia over charges of intimidation of pro-Israel students by Middle East studies professors, according to university sources. The money will go toward programs that create a more cohesive campus climate through channels such as dialogue groups. Programming will be managed by university chaplain Jewelnel Davis and will teach cross-cultural understanding and religious tolerance. A Columbia University alumnus and major philanthropist, Kraft donated US$ 11.5 million in 2000 to establish Columbia’s Robert K. Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life.