Erica Jesselson

JESSELSON--Erica. The Yeshiva University family is deeply grieved by the passing of its "matriarch" Erica Jesselson, a beneficent philanthropist, passionate supporter of education and the arts, and singular Jewish communal leader whose generosity benefited a wide spectrum of humanitarian causes in the U.S., Israel, and around the world. Mrs. Jesselson and her late husband, Ludwig, made an indelible mark on the Jewish community and the arts and culture of New York. Mrs. Jesselson was the visionary and driving force behind the establishment of the Yeshiva University Museum which she and her husband founded and endowed. She served as the Chair of its Board from 1973 until her passing. She also played a critical role on behalf of the Yeshiva University high schools. Yeshiva University was able to acquire a number of rare materials (including Jewish Americana), publish a catalog of its incunabula and make its Judaica collection accessible to students and scholars through gifts from the Jesselsons and the Jesselson Family Trust. In 1983, Mrs. Jesselson was presented with the Distinguished Service Award by the University and in May 1998, she was the recipient of an Honorary Degree of Humane Letters at Commencement. The Jesselson family remained close to Yeshiva University and was an ardent supporter of its numerous schools for more than four decades. To honor her husband's memory, Mrs. Jesselson joined with other family members to establish the Ludwig Jesselson Kollel Chaverim (Institute of Advanced Talmudic Study) at YU's affiliated Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. We extend heartfelt condolences to the Jesselsons' three sons, Michael (Linda) and Daniel (Yael), both residents of New York, and Benjamin (Phyllis), who resides in Israel, and by numerous grandchildren and greatgrandchildren as well as her sister, Lucy Lang. Michael has served on Yeshiva University's Board of Trustees since 1993. May the entire family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. Yeshiva University Richard M. Joel, President Dr. Norman Lamm, Chancellor Morry J. Weiss, Chairman, YU Board of Trustees Julius Berman, Chairman, RIETS Board of Trustees Albert Einstein College of Medicine Ruth L. Gottesman, Chairperson, Board of Overseers Yeshiva University High Schools Miriam Goldberg, Chair, Board of Trustees