Guest of Honor - Robert M. Beren

 Robert M. Beren has been the owner and chief executive officer of companies involved with the production of oil and natural gas.  He currently spends most of the year at his Palm Beach Gardens, FL residence. 

Through his Robert M. Beren Foundation and personally, he has been involved in many philanthropic endeavors, including institutions in Israel such as Ohr Torah Stone, Jerusalem College of Technology, and Boys Town Jerusalem.  In the United States, he has been a major supporter of many organizations, including Yeshiva University, Camp Ramah in California, Harvard University, and Harvard Hillel.  Mr. Beren is on the International Board of Governors of Hillel and the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for Jewish Camp. 

When Houston’s Hebrew Academy realized that a new building was necessary, Mr. Beren gave the keystone donation allowing the building of the present facility.  Mr. Beren had the vision of what the Hebrew Academy could become, since three of his grandchildren attended the school from a young age.