It has now been a year since the world lost the extraordinary philanthropist and Zionist Sheldon G. Adelson, of blessed memory. It feels as if Sheldon was here only a moment ago, because his good and sacred works continue daily to inspire, educate, and promote a better world for America, for Israel, for Jews, and for all people. It’s telling that even though Sheldon Adelson was a brilliant businessman extraordinaire, his own heroes were not great business stars, but were the world’s great humanitarians and Zionists.
I met Sheldon G. Adelson at the national executive committee meetings of a major pro-Israel group. At these meetings, I typically presented about a dozen strong pro-Israel resolutions. Before I even knew him, Sheldon regularly stood up to support my resolutions. He gave powerful, important reasons why the resolutions should be approved and adopted. Sheldon’s support and persuasive insights helped insure that most of these resolutions were adopted.
Afterward at one of these meetings, Sheldon walked over to me and said “I strongly and regularly agree with all of your resolutions. But I don’t know who you are. Who the heck are you?” I responded that I’m Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America - And who the heck are you?” He said “I’m Sheldon Adelson.” That was the start of a great friendship that I treasure and cherish to this day.
I remember some twenty years ago, sitting in Sheldon and Dr. Miriam Adelson’s apartment in Tel Aviv, and telling them, after seeing what incredible Zionists they were, I and the ZOA want to establish the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Defender of Israel Award. Sheldon’s immediate response was, “No, I don’t deserve it.” That was but one example of the endearing humility of one of the world’s most accomplished human beings. Not only did we establish the Adelson Award, but that year, ZOA was honored and privileged to present Sheldon G. Adelson with our rare and highest honor, normally reserved for prime ministers and presidents; the Theodore Herzl Gold Medallion. Previous recipients of this Award included David Ben Gurion and Winston Churchill. That year, ZOA was also honored to present Dr. Miriam Adelson with our distinguished Louis D. Brandeis Award, a gorgeous bust of Louis Brandeis. Previous distinguished recipients of this award included Elizabeth Taylor, Abba Eban, Supreme Court Justice Arthur Goldberg, and Mortimer Zuckerman.
