“As Americans, we share the profound sorrow and shame at the death of George Floyd and many others before him,” writes Angelica Berrie. “‘I can’t breathe’ are words that call out to all of us, a powerful reminder of the moral responsibility to address the injustice of inequality in our country. As philanthropists, the deep pain of our fellow human beings forces us to re-examine our work, to ask ourselves if we have failed to see the extent of their suffering and if we can do more to allow our communities of color to breathe freely.”

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“Blood Sugar Rising,” a documentary that puts a human face on the country’s diabetes epidemic, premiered on PBS in April. RBF was proud to support the making of this film, alongside our other investments in diabetes treatment and prevention. Diabetes and pre-diabetes affect over 100 million people in the U.S., costing more than $325 billion yearly. The issue is more urgent now than ever, as those with diabetes are at risk for severe forms of COVID-19 and face additional challenges managing their disease in the current environment.

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The Russell Berrie Foundation is pleased to announce that Joseph “Yossi” Bachar, whose distinguished career in business, public service and academia includes nine years as chairman of Israel Discount Bank and three years as director general of its Finance Ministry, has been elected to the Board of Trustees. The first Israeli to join the board, “Yossi’s experience and extensive network in Israel are important assets that will enrich the work of The Russell Berrie Foundation," said Angelica Berrie, President of the Board of Trustees. “It is a pleasure to welcome him to the board.”

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Dr. Rudolph L. Leibel, co-director of the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center at Columbia University, is the recipient of the 2019 Albert Renold Award, which the American Diabetes Association presents to an individual whose career is distinguished by outstanding achievements in the training and mentorship of diabetes research scientists and in the development of communities of scientists to enhance diabetes research. In announcing the award, the ADA cited Dr. Leibel’s work crafting “a scientific environment in which curiosity of students and fellows is encouraged,” singling out programs funded by The Russell Berrie Foundation that support post-doctoral scientists in training throughout the world. 

More than 150 religious leaders, practitioners, scholars and students gathered in Rome for an international conference marking the 10th anniversary of the John Paul II Center for Interreligious Dialogue and its flagship program, the Russell Berrie Fellowship in Interreligious Studies. The conference, “Education for Action: The Urgency of Interreligious Leadership for the Global Good,” was the culminating event in a yearlong celebration that kicked off in September with a symposium at Harvard Divinity School. To read Ruth Salzman’s reflections on the accomplishments, reach and potential of the John Paul II Center, please click here.