ROTHBERG, SAMUEL (1910– ), U.S. business executive and Jewish community leader. Rothberg, who was born in Belezekov (near Kiev), Russia, was director of both the American Distilling Co. and the Parvin Dormeyer Co. Rothberg retired in 1965 so that he could devote more time to Jewish affairs, in which he had previously been active. He served from 1955 as national campaign chairman of the Israel Bonds Organization (of which he was a founder); a member of the national campaign cabinet of the United Jewish Appeal; chairman of both the board of governors of the Hebrew University and the board of directors of the American Friends of the Hebrew University; vice president of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute; and an honorary founder of the Harry S. Truman Institute for the Advancement of Peace. Rothberg was president of the Israel Investors Corp. and founder of Capital for Israel Corp. He was also president of Congregation Agudat Achim in his home city of Peoria, Illinois. In 1970 he was elected a non-party member of the executive of the World Zionist Organization and of the Jewish Agency.

In 1975, in honor of his 65^th birthday, the Hebrew University established the annual Samuel Rothberg Prize for Jewish Education. At Bradley University in Peoria, the Samuel Rothberg Professional Excellence Award is presented for distinguished contributions to research or creative productions.

In 1981, the Hebrew University's school for pupils from abroad was officially named the Rothberg School for Overseas Students in honor of Rothberg, who was one of the major forces in the establishment and development of the school. In 1998 the name was changed to the Rothberg International School. He was chairman of the school's International Board of Overseers.

Sources: Encyclopaedia Judaica. © 2007 The Gale Group. All Rights Reserved.