Scott Black is a remarkable inspiration to every FIDF board member who meets him. Businessman, art collector, and philanthropist, Black has had a seat on FIDF’s regional New England Board for over 20 years – for more than a dozen of those years he has also served passionately on the FIDF National Board.
Growing up in Portland, Maine, Scott developed an interest in fine art at an early age, particularly the works of the Impressionists. After leaving Portland, where his father was a wholesale grocer and his mother was a prominent lawyer, Scott’s interests grew to economics and led him to a degree in Applied Mathematics and Economics at Johns Hopkins University, then an MBA in Finance at Harvard Business School. Through JHU, he connected with Michael Bloomberg and eventually was entrusted to preside over a portion of the billionaire’s equity portfolio.
Scott has always been passionate about Israel and defending everything for which it stands. A donation he made to the FIDF about two decades ago soon evolved into a number of leadership roles within the organization. Time and again, Scott has stepped up to support FIDF’s core programs. Among his numerous contributions have been financing IMPACT! Scholarships for 25 students to attend Technion, donating Air Force Clubs at three bases, and generously supporting the Dignity program.
Black recently celebrated his 75th birthday, just as Israel is about to do, and he shared advice for current board members about how they can best support Israel and add value to the FIDF board. “My best advice to FIDF board members is to lead by example. You can’t expect other people to give money unless you step up yourself. I think all people should make a commitment, but especially the board members. You should try to give the most you can really afford and attempt to solicit other people. The idea of just serving on the board because you want to have your name on it is not good enough. You need to demonstrate leadership by giving significant money to the organization.”
Speaking from experience, Scott is a strong advocate of learning by putting one’s feet on the ground. His second piece of advice for board members is go to Eretz Yisrael with FIDF. Visiting bases will give you a direct, powerful understanding of the impact of your support. “You can’t be involved with Israel in the abstract. You need to be there on the ground, meeting the soldiers, seeing the operations in which they are involved to appreciate what they are experiencing.”
A U.S. Army veteran, Scott not only possesses an incredible knowledge of the Israeli Air Force, Army and Navy, but he is also an avid student of Jewish history. He emphasizes that it’s absolutely vital for board members to be articulate in connecting the dots between 3800 years of Jewish history and the necessity of the Israel Defense Forces. “The more you educate yourself, the more you will appreciate the brave young men and women of the IDF. You should reach out to your own network of friends and get them engaged. It’s a simple message: No IDF, No Israel.”
All board members should engage with and encourage young people to get involved, through our young leadership programs, parlor meetings, missions and otherwise. The long-term success of this organization depends on the next generation.
“The most important thing in my life, after my own family, is the State of Israel,” Black says. “Never forget, you need a cause in life that’s bigger than yourself.”
Clearly, Scott Black found that cause.
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