Mr. Bronfman retired as an active businessman in 2001 following a 50-year career with the Seagram Company Ltd. Born and raised in Montreal, he began his philanthropic career at 17. In 1973 he was elected president of the Montreal Jewish Federation for a two-year term. In 1996, he moved to the US and in 1999 was named founding chair of United Jewish Communities (now JFNA). In 1985, he and his late wife founded the Andrea & Charles Bronfman Philanthropies. Its core programs encourage young people to strengthen their knowledge and appreciation of their history, heritage and cultural identity. Through the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada, Historica Canada, and the Karev program in Israel, as well as Birthright Israel, these programs have more than achieved their goals. He has been an important investor in Israel and a major supporter of the Israel Museum and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. He was founding chairman and principal owner of the Montreal Expos, the first Major League Baseball club outside the US, which he and his partners sold in 1991. Mr. Bronfman is a member of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada (PC) and Companion of the Order of Canada (CC), Canada’s highest civilian honor. He holds honorary doctorates from universities in Israel, the US and Canada, where he continues to be active in philanthropic initiatives.