Michael Steinhardt Receives 2017 Sy Syms Humanitarian Award

During the reception, Michael Steinhardt joined Sy Syms Foundation President and founding member Marcy Syms. "I was anxious to have the Sy Syms Humanitarian Award given to Michael Steinhardt. His journey as a religious Jew to a cultural and ethical Jew has driven him to use his success in the material world to attain an even greater level of achievement as a moral and ethical humanitarian.

"He is truly a person who will leave the world a better place for having been here. The Talmud gives us a standard of morality and ethics that becomes one stop shopping for a moral life. This doesn't require going to temple but does require knowledge of the 10 Commandments which I believe is the foundation for all religious teachings on how we should treat our fellow human beings. What is uniquely Jewish is the Torah's concept of 'social justice' as Tzedakah, the responsibility for providing for society's weakest members."

"Michael Steinhardt is the embodiment of business excellence and humanitarian calling that exemplifies the realization of the Sy Syms Humanitarian Award and the ideals of its namesake, the renowned entrepreneur and community leader Sy Syms," said Marcy Syms. "Our students will be thrilled to hear him share insights and wisdom, and I know my Dad will be listening too. Michael Steinhardt is an exemplary role model for all Sy Syms graduates."

"Yeshiva University is the only top-tier institution of higher education in the United States that combines the study of Torah with secular studies. That model is important for our future," said Marcy Syms, daughter of the late Sy Syms.

About her father Ms. Syms said, "his guiding core value was education which is very much at the center of our Jewish values. Legacy creation requires vision. It is in that spirit that we created the Sy Syms Humanitarian Award, to recognize an individual who has navigated through all the obstacles to create material wealth and then used that success to pursue, righteous action.  Like the inaugural recipient Mort Zuckerman, and 2015 honoree Harold Grinspoon.  Michael Steinhardt is a leader in business and philanthropy and has shared his good fortune providing a strong return for the Jewish and other communities."

Steinhardt lives in New York and is active in both business and the world of Jewish philanthropy.  A 2014 article by Bloomberg described him as "Wall Street's greatest trader."  Together with Charles Bronfman, he founded the Taglit-Birthright project.

Michael Steinhardt and his family also run the Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life.  The Foundation focuses on Jewish, Hebrew and Israel education through The Areivim Philanthropic Group.

The Sy Syms Foundation was established in 1985 by retail entrepreneur and humanitarian Sy Syms, the late father of Marcy Syms, President and founding trustee. The foundation has been instrumental in the growth of non profit organizations that support advancement in education, scientific research and artistic expression for a better life for all

Visit the Foundation website at http://www.sysymsfoundation.org

SOURCE Sy Syms Foundation

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http://www.sysymsfoundation.org