New York, New York: Reporting by Leah. On December 16, 2009 more than 1,000 financial professionals, prominent business leaders and philanthropists honored John A. Paulson, President, Paulson & Co. Inc., and Marc S. Lipschultz, Member, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., at The Wall Street Dinner, held at The New York Hilton in New York City. This event was organized by the UJA-Federation of New York’s Wall Street & Financial Services Division and one of New York City’s most important and prestigious philanthropic events of the season.
David Faber, anchor and chief investigative correspondent, CNBC, was master of ceremonies and David Brooks, columnist, The New York Times, was the guest speaker.
In a season full of holiday parties, galas and events, the UJA-Federation of New York’s Wall Street Dinner stood out. In lieu of a formal sit down dinner the organizers held an extensive cocktail reception before the formal awards ceremony program followed by an after-party, a friendly competition featuring Texas Hold ‘Em, blackjack, roulette, craps, interactive video games, dessert and open bar.
The narrative throughout the evening was generosity, the importance of giving back to the community in this difficult economic environment when so many people are struggling and the need to help one another. The speakers noted the much needed work of UJA, i.e. UJA has touched 4.5 million lives worldwide, provided critically needed health care for the elderly, helped over 300,000 impoverished New Yorkers, 55,000 holocaust survivors, and treated children for trauma in Sderot, Israel. We should all be grateful for our blessings and in a world when many are not so lucky and are in need, it is a gift to give back and many showed their generosity, commitment and heritage of giving at the UJA event. Despite the tumultuous economic times, UJA-Federation of New York’s Wall Street and Financial Services Division demonstrated their unwavering generosity and dedication to supporting the needs of the most vulnerable by raising a staggering $19 million.
John A. Paulson received The Gustave L. Levy Award. Considered a pre-eminent honor in the industry, this award recognizes a leader in the Wall Street community for both exceptional professional achievement and an enduring commitment to UJA-Federation. Previous honorees include Gary D. Cohn, Richard A. Friedman, Daniel S. Och, Morris W. Offit, Michael Minikes, Leon M. Wagner, and Jeffrey B. Lane.
Marc S. Lipschultz received The Wall Street Young Leadership Award, which recognizes a young professional who demonstrates exemplary leadership, a steadfast commitment to the community, and continued generosity to UJA-Federation. Previous honorees include Jonathan M Harris, Larry Robbins, Scott S. Prince, Alexandra Lebenthal, Ricky Sandler, Jeffrey L. Verschleiser, and Stephen J. Girsky.
This historic event was transformed into a dynamic gathering attracting both the “Titans of Wall Street” and the future leadership of the financial industry. And for the first time, the Wall Street Dinner introduced text-to-pledge technology which allowed attendees to instantly text-message contributions from their phones to be broadcast in real time on multiple screens at the event.
In response to the national call to action for Americans to volunteer, organizers promoted Wall Street Cares, an initiative created last year that presents an opportunity for attendees to enroll in a volunteer service program at a number of UJA-Federation’s health, human-service, educational, and community beneficiary agencies. Those who register to volunteer will be matched up with prominent members of the Wall Street community for service assignments to give back to their communities while developing key relationships with key members of Wall Street.
UJA and the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation presented a wonderful opportunity for attendees by allowing them to register in the Foundation’s database to find a potential bone marrow match to save a life. Representatives from the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation registered a record breaking 105 people at the event. Registering someone involves very little time and includes taking a quick and painless cotton swab from inside your cheek to see if you are a potential match to save a life. “He who saves one life, it is as if he had saved the entire world” – Talmud. Check out their website at www.giftoflife.org.
Philanthropists and business leaders saluting the honorees included dinner chairs Gary D. Cohn, President and Chief Operating Officer, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.; Alan C. Greenberg, Vice Chairman Emeritus, JP Morgan Chase & Co.; and Henry R. Kravis, co-founding member, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.; along with journal chairs Michael A. Karsch, founder, Karsch Capital Management, LP.; Kenneth B. Mehlman, Managing Director, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.; Daniel S. Och, Chief Executive Officer, Och-Ziff Capital Management Group; Larry Robbins, Chief Executive Officer, Glenview Capital Management; Edward O. Sassower, Partner, Kirkland & Ellis LLP; and Curtis Schenker, Chief Executive Officer, Scoggin Capital Management L.P.
UJA-Federation of New York is the world’s largest community based philanthropy and cares for those in need, rescues those in harm’s way, and renews and strengthens the Jewish people in New York, in Israel, and around the world. Funds raised by UJA-Federation sustain the activities of more than 100 health, human-service, educational, and community agencies. Every day these community-based organizations provide a multitude of services that improve and enhance people’s lives.
For more information on UJA please visit their website at www.ujafedny.org.
Pete Seeger HUG-A-Planet