The Jewish Press joins Klal Yisrael in mourning the passing of Eugen Gluck. A world renowned philanthropist and major supporter of many Jewish causes, he was best known for his key role in the rebuilding of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria after the Six Day War, particularly in the ancient town of Beit El.
The range of Gluck’s efforts included significant funding for most of Beit El’s educational institutions including yeshivas for both college and high school-aged men and a high school academy for girls. According to Arutz Sheva, thousands of students continue to receive their education at these schools.
His Israel philanthropy also extended to Shaarei Zedek Hospital, Magen Dovid Edom, and Yad VaShem Holocaust Memorial Museum.
Gluck also sponsored the Israeli Defense Forces Preparatory Academy in Beit El. This innovative project has attracted over 1,000 Israeli participants from disadvantaged and dysfunctional families and lives of crime and drug use and turned them into some of the most dedicated members of the IDF – and ultimately into well-adjusted and contributing members of Israel society.
A survivor of the Holocaust and the camps, he arrived penniless in the United States after the war and built a watch manufacturing company, Armitron, which came to enjoy the fifth largest share of all watch purchases by brand name in the United States.
As a corollary to his business successes he, together with his wife Jean, a”h, who predeceased him, determined to live a life of serious and meaningful charitable giving in order to improve the lives of their fellow Jews. In this they achieved much success as well.
May his memory be for a blessing.