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Julius Rosenwald: Repairing the World
Julius Rosenwald: Repairing the World
By Hasia R. Diner
Published October 24, 2017
256 pages
“A masterpiece” —David Levering Lewis, author of King: A Biography, and recipient of the Pulitzer Prize
The portrait of a humble retail magnate whose visionary ideas about charitable giving transformed the practice of philanthropy in America and beyond
Julius Rosenwald (1862–1932) rose from modest means as the son of a peddler to meteoric wealth at the helm of Sears, Roebuck. Yet his most important legacy stands not upon his business acumen but on the pioneering changes he introduced to the practice of philanthropy. While few now recall Rosenwald’s name—he refused to have it attached to the buildings, projects, or endowments he supported—his passionate support of Jewish and African American causes continues to influence lives to this day.
This biography of Julius Rosenwald explores his attitudes toward his own wealth and his distinct ideas about philanthropy, positing an intimate connection between his Jewish consciousness and his involvement with African Americans. The book shines light on his belief in the importance of giving in the present to make an impact on the future, and on his encouragement of beneficiaries to become partners in community institutions and projects. Rosenwald emerges from the pages as a compassionate man whose generosity and wisdom transformed the practice of philanthropy itself.
About the Author
Hasia R. Diner is Paul and Sylvia Steinberg Professor of American Jewish History and director of the Goldstein-Goren Center for American Jewish History at New York University. She is a two-time winner of the National Jewish Book Award. She lives in New York City.
Author photograph © Doug Levere, University at Buffalo Communications
Reviews
"Last summer, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos announced that he intended to become more philanthropic and asked for suggestions about how to help people in the 'here and now.' The founder of today’s version of Sears, Roebuck could hardly do better than to peruse Ms. Diner’s biographical portrait and study Julius Rosenwald’s noble example." —The Wall Street Journal
“At last, a full-bore biography of the American colossus Julius Rosenwald, innovative businessman philanthropist and avatar of three great missions: Jewish opportunity; African American progress; and advancement of the national ideal of exceptionalism. Hasia Diner’s richly told and long overdue Julius Rosenwald: Repairing the World, is a masterpiece.” —David Levering Lewis, author of King: A Biography and W.E.B. Du Bois: A Biography, and recipient of the Pulitzer Prize
"The portrait Diner paints is one of a man whose generosity and belief in Jewish ideals transformed philanthropy and have made an impact on our lives today." —Linda Tucker, Jewish Book Council