Dedication to the Jewish community and the study of history and culture were the foundation for many of Northeastern alumnus Morton Ruderman’s greatest contributions. Ruderman, College of Engineering ’59, was an avid supporter of Northeastern University and a best friend to Northeastern’s Jewish Studies program. With a gift of $1.5 million, he and his wife Marcia established the trustee Ruderman Chair in Jewish Studies because, in his words, he believed “in preserving religion, culture and identity through education.” “I have always been a supporter of my alma mater’s growing Jewish Studies program for doing just that,” he affirmed.
Ruderman cofounded the health care technology firm Meditech and was a recognized philanthropist. He established the Ruderman Family Foundation with the mission to create a lasting impact on the Jewish communities in Boston and Israel and to promote scholarship that will help to advance Jewish continuity. The Ruderman Family Foundation continues Mort’s legacy with groundbreaking initiatives in serving the Jewish disabled and by strengthening Jewish Studies at Northeastern through the Ruderman Scholarship program and memorial lectureship.
At Northeastern, Ruderman is remembered as a compassionate and generous supporter of education.
“Morton Ruderman was intelligent, charming and humble,” said Lori Lefkovitz, Ruderman Professor of Jewish Studies and director of Northeastern’s Jewish Studies program. “Morton was a devoted father and husband and was a man who appreciated the value of his own education. I hope to do honor to his memory and his commitment to Jewish learning.”
We extend our condolences to his wife Marcia and their three children and ten grandchildren, and we pledge to make every effort to honor his memory and express his values through our work.
Morton Ruderman died on Oct. 12, 2011, in Boston at age 75. He leaves his wife Marcia Ruderman; his son Jay and daughter-in-law Shira Ruderman of Rehovot, Israel; his daughter Sharon and son-in-law Rony Shapiro of Brooklin; his son Todd and daughter-in-law Liz Ruderman of Miami, Florida; sister Myrna Lipsky of Stoughton, Mass; and ten grandchildren.
