One-Hundred-Sixteenth Commencement Exercises May 17, 2010

Society of Fellows
אגודת העמיתים
Mr. Martin D. Payson
Created in 1966, the Society of Fellows
is an association of men and women
who have demonstrated devotion to the
highest ideals of Judaism and to the
principles of social justice and concern
for the broader community. They are
people of extraordinary and diverse
talents, who have made an enormous
impact on the welfare of JTS.
Sponsored by
Ms. Michele P. Rosenfield
Dr. Michael B. Greenbaum
“There are three crowns:
the crown of Torah, the
crown of Priesthood,
the crown of Royalty.
The crown of a good
name is superior to
them all.”
[Mishnah, Pirkei Avot 4:17]
You are a singular leader whose tzedakah and good deeds make it possible for others to do good
themselves.
You did not rest on your laurels after your retirement from an extraordinary career in corporate
life, during which you were director, Office of the President, and general counsel of Warner
Communications Inc. and vice chairman of Time Warner Inc., and were instrumental in the
expansion of one of the world’s premier entertainment and media companies. Instead, when
UJA-Federation called on your services beyond your active and generous philanthropy, you
brought your administrative talent and expertise to bear on the critical matter of health care and
embarked on a second career devoted to helping troubled hospitals. As chairman of the board of
Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn and chairman of the Nassau Health Care Corporation
in Nassau County, New York, you restored these institutions to vitality so that they can heal the
ailing in the communities they serve.
Your remarkable triumphs in the world of business have always been matched by your sense
of responsibility and generosity in building a better world. You served on the boards of Howard,
Tulane, and New York Universities. As a trustee of The Jewish Museum, you were an inspiration
and catalyst for the development of the annual New York Jewish Film Festival, a collaboration
between the museum and the Film Society of Lincoln Center. You have had a profound impact
on The Jewish Theological Seminary, where your deep understanding of higher education made
your service on the board invaluable. Your wisdom and energy, your hands-on involvement as
Development chair, and your belief in fostering new lay leadership have been instrumental in
strengthening JTS’s ability to cultivate essential support, train future leaders for the Jewish
community, and ensure Jewish continuity.
Our Sages teach us, “Greater than one who does a mitzvah, is one who causes others to do
a mitzvah.” You enable and inspire us all to safeguard education, to provide justice for the
downtrodden and healing for the sick. You walk the path of righteousness.
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