When Sheldon Adelson was 12 years old, he sold newspapers on a Boston street corner. His family was poor, crowded into a small apartment, but their generosity was evident.
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The family felt great pride in the establishment of the Jewish state. Sheldon's father wanted to visit but unfortunately never had a chance. When Sheldon visited Israel for the first time, he wore his father's shoes when he stepped off the plane, in a symbolic gesture.
Sheldon was a legendary entrepreneur. His daring and creative imagination resulted in unprecedented enterprises. Venice reappeared in the form of a luxurious Las Vegas hotel, complete with waterways and gondolas.
Sheldon was one of the first to foresee the financial potential of Asia. He located his company in China's Macau region before any of his American competitors. The lotus-style casino his company built in Singapore has become a national symbol.
Sheldon and his wife Miri's outstanding contributions lead to the establishment of Taglit-Birthright and the Israeli-American Council organizations, which play major roles in preserving the Jewish heritage.
Their philanthropy supported health institutions, universities, at-risk youth organizations, Yad Vashem, the City of David, and more.
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It came as no surprise then that Sheldon and Miri requested that the SPACE IL project's spacecraft to the moon carry a flag with the inscription "Am Israel Chai" (the Jewish people live).
Sheldon and Miri made historic contributions to the State of Israel. Sheldon will always be remembered as a unique and historical figure: a man who was committed to the Jewish people throughout his entire life.
I mourn his passing.
Professor Uriel Reichman is the president and founder of IDC Herzliya.
