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The Story Behind the Jewish BuildingThe dream of the Jewish Institute for Medical Research, fondly called the "Jewish Building" by BCM faculty, staff, and students, began its journey to reality in 1958.by Kristi Krupala 1964 was surely a happening year. It marked the arrival of the Beatles, whose appearance on the popular Ed Sullivan variety show forever changed modern music. That same year, a U.S. Surgeon General's report warned us that cigarettes could harm us altering the habits of millions of Americans. In Houston, Texas, however, a new era of scientific study was made possible with the completion of a new building at Baylor College of Medicine that forever cemented the College's ties with a generous Jewish community and provided space for groundbreaking biomedical research. The longstanding relationship BCM has had with The Jewish Institute for Medical Research spans nearly a half a century. It culminated in June 2005, when the Jewish Institute for Medical Research Fund of The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston made its last gift. Baylor College of Medicine was fortunate to be the beneficiary. F. Charles Brunicardi, M.D., chair of the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, and his staff presented to the Foundation a moving story of hope for patients with pancreatic cancer. As a result, the Foundation designated its final gift of $25,000 for the molecular surgery program for pancreatic cancer under his direction. "Dr. Brunicardi's research into this dreaded disease seems to hold such promise that the JIMR Advisory Board enthusiastically elected to help provide funding for his work," explained Barry Goodfriend, M.D., Baylor clinical associate professor of medicine and chairman of the Jewish Institute for Medical Research Advisory Board. This gift continues a legacy of nearly 50 years of providing BCM and institutions throughout the Texas Medical Center with needed support at particularly critical times. A 1958 article that appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association announced that the Public Health Service would match funds, up to $30 million over a three-year period, contributed for research purposes. Bernard Farfel, M.D., a Baylor clinical associate professor of medicine for many years, was moved by this article and believed that while Houston's Jewish community was small—only about 17,000 members at the time—it could, with the help of a grant like this, build a research institute in the Texas Medical Center. Farfel began by approaching a builder, the late Melvin Silverman. He, in turn, contacted architect Joseph Krakower, who volunteered his services. The three men realized that it would take the help of community leaders to further this project, so they spoke with Irvin Shlenker, a leading banker and community leader; Albert Goldstein, who was then the Director of the Jewish Community Council; and talented journalist and then-publisher of the Jewish Herald-Voice, David H. White. The group spearheaded an organizational meeting in February 1959, when they learned that a plot of land adjoining BCM would be donated for the construction of the building. Several days later, the group met with representatives from BCM and the TMC and informed them of their tentative plans for the erection of the Jewish Institute for Medical Research (JIMR)—and of the Jewish community's fundraising goal: $450,000, to be paid over a five-year period. From that point on, things moved quickly. In order to receive matching funds from the government, plan specifications had to be filed and a firm commitment obtained from the Jewish community concerning the definite amount for which it would be obligated. The Jewish Community Council approved the project and the $450,000 goal. Matching government funds were critical for construction of the building's first four stories. It was understood that the building would be maintained by BCM. Money later was raised for an additional five stories; and an endowment fund was established to fund medical research. Arrangements were made to borrow the funds interest-free from a local foundation, with 50 members of the Jewish community pledging to make up any deficit. The M.D. Anderson Foundation presented the building committee with the land, and Krakower was selected as the architect. Farfel, Goldstein, Shlenker and Silverman headed up the fundraising effort, and throughout the spring of 1959, the group held several meetings to describe the dream of the Institute and to secure donations. Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., was the principal speaker at a community-wide fundraising dinner held in May of that year. Each attendee was given the opportunity to participate in the fundraising effort for the Institute and in the Jewish community's commitment to a better life for all humanity through medical research. At one of the fundraising events, Shlenker said, ". . . when the Jewish Institute for Medical Research is completed, all of us will be proud of our achievement. Each one who contributes to the building project will play an important part in this institution, which is being erected as a monument to the finer instincts of man, a sharing of the goodness of life in the true meaning of brotherhood, the enrichment of living through stronger, healthier, more fruitful lives strengthened and blessed by research projects made possible by our contribution." The message contained in these words was borne out. The dreams, dedication, and tireless efforts of Dr. Bernard Farfel, Irvin Shlenker, Melvin Silverman, Joseph Krakower, Albert Goldstein, David White, and countless others—as well as the generosity of the Houston Jewish community—ultimately led to the group raising a total of $550,000 for the project. And it was not a four-story, but rather a nine-story, building for which groundbreaking ceremonies were held in June 1960. Through the years, research conducted in the Jewish Institute for Medical Research has led to advances in our understanding of cancer, polio, hepatitis, water pollution, gastrointestinal diseases, atherosclerosis, sleep disturbances, pain control, mental health, and AIDS. "The many scientific miracles that have been discovered at the JIMR, as well as the research that has been funded by the JIMR Endowment Fund, have provided vital medical research to save lives and better the world," said Goodfriend. Research on the synthesis of brain hormones, for which Roger C. Guillemin, M.D., Ph.D., won the 1977 Nobel Prize in Medicine, also was conducted in the JIMR. These words, inscribed on a plaque that commemorated the original dedication of the Jewish Building say it best: "These laboratories reflect the generosity of the Jewish community of Houston and a sincere desire to make a lasting contribution to mankind." |
Patient CareA New Medical School for Botswana ResearchStars and Workhorses: A Varied Future for Stem Cells Unfolding the Tiniest Problems EducationCommunity ServiceAlumni & DevelopmentThe Story Behind the Jewish Building From a One-Room School to Medical Research College News
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Volume 2, Issue 1, Spring 2006 |
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