Jewish philanthropist receives Australia’s highest honor

Posted

SYDNEY (JTA) – Australian Jewish philanthropist Pauline Gandel received the country’s top honor, the Companion of the Order of Australia, which was given to her husband, John, in 2017.

The award is tantamount to receiving a knighthood in the U.K., and honors Gandel’s support for the arts, education and Jewish causes

The honors were awarded on Jan. 27, Australia Day.

The Melbourne-based couple is one of Australia’s most prolific benefactors to both the secular and Jewish communities. Gandel Philanthropy has distributed over $100 million to charitable causes since 1978.