Mendel Kaplan (philanthropist)
Mendel Kaplan (1936–2009) was a South African Jewish industrialist executive in the firm Cape Gate, philanthropist and community activist.[1]
Mendel Kaplan was born in South Africa. After graduating from Wynberg Boys' High, he received a degree in law from the University of Cape Town in 1958 and an MBA from Columbia University in 1960.[2]
Kaplan was the honorary president of Keren Hayesod and a former chairman of the Jewish Agency's Board of Governors. He financed numerous philanthropic projects in South Africa, Israel and Jewish communities around the world.[3] In 1980, he founded the Isaac and Jessie Kaplan Centre for Jewish Studies at the University of Cape Town. In 2000, he established the South African Jewish Museum.[1]
Kaplan was an Israeli citizen and owned two homes in Israel.[2]
He was a keen rugby union fan, and helped set up the South African Jewish Museum.[1]
Kaplan died of a stroke on 19 November 2009.
References
- Jessica Elgot (20 November 2009). "Mendel Kaplan dies". The Jewish Chronicle Online. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
- Linde, Steve. "Philanthropist Mendel Kaplan dies, 73". The Jerusalem Post. pp. 19 November 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
- Milton Shain (22 November 2009). "Mendel Kaplan, 1936-2009/Jewish leader, philanthropist, family man". Haaretz. Retrieved 2 February 2014.