The Philadelphia and Delaware chapters of Americans for Ben-Gurion University joined forces to honor Philadelphia philanthropist David Magerman and Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer at their 2025 Tribute Brunch on Nov. 16.
Claire Winick is the Mid-Atlantic regional director for A4BGU. She said the organization chose Meyer as an honoree because “his life is like the mission of Ben-Gurion University.”
“He’s been an educator, he’s been an entrepreneur, and he serves his community, strongly believing in tikkun olam. His goal is to repair the world, and he performs acts of social justice, kindness and service. So, for us, that was a wonderful match with what Ben Gurion University is all about,” Winick said.
She added that Meyer is a lifelong Zionist who “lives every facet of his life Jewishly,” and has a familial connection to A4BGU, as both of his parents are officers with the Delaware chapter.
Winick explained that Meyer is what they call an “outreach honoree,” where the person is being recognized for things they’ve done outside A4BGU relating to Israel or education.
Having the outreach honoree brings new people to the event and can broaden the organization’s base of support.
As for Magerman, Winick said he’s a “legendary philanthropist” in the Philadelphia area.
Magerman, a highly successful computer scientist and businessman, is known for founding the Kohelet Foundation, which helped transform the Jewish day school world through initiatives it supported like the Kohelet Fellowships, the Kohelet Prize and the Philadelphia Jewish Day School Collaborative.
After boosting Jewish education, Magerman turned his attention to Israel, where he founded the Tzemach David Foundation. The foundation has impacted K-12 education reform in Israel and increased engagement with American and Israeli higher education students, among other objectives.
Winick said that Magerman has stood strong for Israel, especially following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and the ensuing increase in antisemitism.
“He [Magerman] really made headlines because he decided to stop supporting his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, over the administration’s handling of antisemitism on campus after Oct. 7. Those actions clearly demonstrated a big decision to support Israel in a different and impactful way,” Winick said. “He is really a hero. And I know that from things that he shared with me, that he plans to continue making large transformative gifts to the State of Israel. So, we are very proud to honor him this year.”
Winick said that the Tribute Bunches have been held for around 45 years. The Delaware chapter started joining its Philadelphia counterpart 10 years ago for the Tribute Brunch, to honor a leader from each area.
Winick said over 170 people attended the event, which she added was “considerably more than most years.”
“We welcome everyone to participate, no matter exactly what they can do financially that year. We like people to know about us and share the mission of the university, which really is the one of the major, if not the major, sources of development of the Negev,” said Winick.
The event, held at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, featured a conversation between Sam Katz, a co-chair of the A4BGU Mid-Atlantic region and Emmy award-winning documentarian, and Ariel Fromowitz, a BGU student and Israel Defense Forces veteran.
Winick said that this year’s brunch carried the theme of “guided by vision, driven by courage, forging our way forward,” which tells the story of the university during a time of war.
She said that the university has felt the impacts of the Gaza war. Some students and faculty were called to the front lines. Buildings on campus suffered damage from missile attacks. Fundraising at this event was a way for donors to invest in the future of education in Israel’s Negev region and help residents there through the post-war transition.
Winick said that the event brings like-minded people together to support Israel and the university.
“They’re there to celebrate, and they’re standing up for Israel. They’re coming out and showing their support for the State of Israel. And this has happened all the way since Oct. 7, where we’ve had very nice turnouts. People came out excited to be together,” Winick said.