By Reporter staff

The Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton announced that it has received “a generous donation” to the Federation’s Endowment Fund from the late Bruce Becker. Becker died in December 2020 at the age of 89. 

“Bruce’s gift to the Jewish Federation Endowment Fund creates a meaningful legacy that will enhance the quality of Jewish life in Broome County for years to come,” said Shelley Hubal, executive director of the Federation. “We are honored that he remembered the Federation in his estate.” 

Steven Becker and Barbara Reiff, Bruce’s children, spoke of their father’s involvement with the local Jewish community and how important its organizations were to him. “Dad was an active participant in the local Jewish community and, together with our mother, Rosalie, was deeply committed to putting his skills and savings to work to benefit the community he lived in and loved dearly,” they wrote in an e-mail. “Growing up, we don’t remember a time when he was not somehow involved in a cause. At the Jewish Federation of Broome County, he held roles as the president, chairperson of the Federation’s Endowment Committee, and he sat on the board and the council of Jewish Federation. He was also the UJA Men’s General Campaign chairperson for the 1973 Campaign.”

They noted that Bruce was also active in other causes, both in the Jewish and secular communities. “In addition to his involvement at the Jewish Federation, he served on the boards of Temple Beth El, Israel Bonds, the United Way, Chabad, the board of the Endicott/Vestal Chamber of Commerce, the board of the County Chamber, the ARC and the Broome County Opera,” they added. “Dad was also past president of Temple Beth El, Hillel Academy and Vestal Hills Country Club.”

His children noted that their father wasn’t one to brag about the work he did for the local Jewish community. “In contrast to his golf game, which he talked up any chance he had, our father quietly, but generously, contributed his time and charity to the local Jewish organizations for many years,” they said. “He was proud to do so and we’re sure he would be extremely pleased to see that his donation to Jewish Federation will continue to provide assistance to the community going forward.”