Peace at the Penthouse

The Wall Street Journal
By Adrienne Gaffney

If the ultimate currency in Manhattan is real estate, one can do no better in voicing their philanthropic devotion than offering up their home in support of the cause. Russell Simmons did just that on Monday night, hosting 250 guests in his downtown penthouse for a reception supporting the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding.

The organization, of which Mr. Simmons is chairman, was founded by Rabbi Marc Schneier in 1989 to foster relationships between the African-American and Jewish communities. The organization’s mission has since widened to include brokering unity between Jews and Muslims. Mr. Simmons’s early partnerships with Rick Rubin and other music executives introduced him to Jewish culture, and this summer, he traveled on behalf of the organization to Israel where he met with President Shimon Peres and Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem.

“There’s been a rivalry between Muslims and Jews for so long. This foundation has begun to shatter, shatter, that animosity,” explained Ali Naqvi, a member of the board of directors, citing the “twinning” program, where congregants of a synagogue and mosque in one city visit the other to discuss commonalities.

The night’s event honored several members of the FFEU’s Young Leadership Board, including Ben Bronfman, an environmentalist and musician, and lawyer Sal Strazzullo. In his remarks, Mr. Bronfman, whose beaming mother and sisters stood in the crowd, reflected on the social difficulties in growing up being both black and Jewish. Strazzullo, an anomaly on stage for being neither Jewish nor Muslim, attended with his parish priest Msgr. Jamie Gigantiello.

Mr. Simmons is happy to do his part by mining his considerable Rolodex.

“As an entrepreneur I’m this way: If I find a place I can serve, I create companies I think fill a hole. As a philanthropist, I do the same. As an activist, I do the same. And one thing I’ve been given which is very useful is celebrity and celebrity is only good if you use it to benefit others,” he explained. Those recruited included CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien, who introduced the program, and rapper Q-Tip who, fresh off a much buzzed about performance at South by Southwest, observed the awards presentation from a quiet spot in the corner.

Those attendees who weren’t too busy examining Mr. Simmons’ enviable art collection (works by Basquiat, Warhol and Shepard Fairey were on display) enjoyed what has to be the most ambitious spread of vegan finger foods in recent history. But what really struck Rabbi Schneier, was the relative youth in the room. “I don’t think we’ve ever had a more attractive crowd!” he marveled.

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