Skirball Foundation Makes $1.5 Million Gift to the Freedom Center

Posted on June 13th, 2008 by Paul Bernish

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center announced today that it has received a major grant from the New York City-based Skirball Foundation. The gift of $1,500,000 will support Freedom Center programs and exhibits and also support the Partnership for Human Freedom, an initiative to raise public awareness of slavery in the world today.

The museum’s third-floor changing exhibit space, totaling 3,000 square feet, will be permanently designated the “Jack H. Skirball Gallery,” in honor of Jack H. Skirball (1896-1985), an ordained rabbi turned award-winning Hollywood movie producer and distinguished philanthropist. A graduate of Cincinnati’s Hebrew Union College in 1921, Jack and his brother William established the Skirball Foundation in 1948. It has grown into a major philanthropic institution supporting education, culture, the arts, and other causes.

“This is a momentous day for the Freedom Center,” said Donald W. Murphy, CEO and President. “The Skirball Foundation’s extraordinary gift will enable the Freedom Center to create dynamic, relevant programming and new exhibits, many of which will be presented in the Jack H. Skirball Gallery.”

Added Freedom Center Co-Chair John Pepper: “The Skirball Foundation has a worldwide reputation for thoughtful, effective philanthropy. Its gift to the Freedom Center links our future programs and exhibits to a revered name.”

Dr. Uri D. Herscher, Foundation trustee and Founding President/CEO of the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, remarked: “We are pleased to make this contribution in support of the Freedom Center’s mission, including its focus on conditions of slavery in the world today. We are pleased that the hopeful vision of Jack Skirball will be permanently memorialized in a gallery dedicated to illuminating the lessons of history and addressing the ideals of freedom and justice.”

After his graduation from Hebrew Union College, Skirball served as a rabbi in Cleveland and Evansville, Ind. before entering a career as producer of educational documentary films. He became a vice president in charge of production at Grand National Pictures, president of Arcadia Pictures and a producer at several major studios.

As an independent filmmaker, he is especially noted for producing the following: “Birth of a Baby”, “A Miracle on Main Street”, “Saboteur”, “Shadow of a Doubt,” “Magnificent Doll” and “Payment on Demand.”

Jack H. Skirball cared for and contributed generously to Jewish Life and to American society as a whole. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is privileged to have its changing gallery named in his memory.

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