AUSTRIA has awarded Leslie Bergman, senior vice-chairperson of the World Union, the Grand Decoration of Merit of the Republic of Austria ("Grosses Ehrenzeichen fur Verdienste um die Republik Osterreich"), a high decoration awarded by the Austrian state for meritorious service. The award was presented at the Vienna Musikverein, the city's prestigious concert hall.

The award, pictured below, right, was given to Bergman in recognition of his generous support of, and involvement in, the humanities, arts and business, specifically the Institute for the History of Jews in Austria; Vienna's Congregation Or Chadasch, of which he is a founding member and honorary life president; helping Austrian business expand into Central and Eastern Europe after the fall of communist regimes; and the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra. It was presented by Austria's deputy chancellor, Dr. Erhard Busek, on the evening of a concert given by the orchestra.

In his acceptance remarks, Bergman said: "If my various activities both during my permanent residence in Austria and thereafter have been recognised as a service - well that is a sort of a bonus for me. The things that I have involved myself with are those that have provided motivation, interest and gratification - elements important to feeling positive about one's life, whatever one does."

Born in South Africa, Bergman holds both Austrian and South African citizenship. He was very active in the South African Progressive community for many years, first as a founding member of the then Temple David management committee (now Bet David) in the early 70s, and then, between 1975 and 1981, as treasurer, vice-chairperson and chairperson on that committee.

Bergman was elected vice-president of the United Progressive Jewish Congregation of Johannesburg (UPJC) in 1981 and its president in 1983. He then moved onto the national executive committee in 1987, when he became vice-chairperson of the South African Union for Progressive Judaism (SAUPJ). Bergman was elected SAUPJ chairperson, the highest position within the Progressive community, in 1989, having served the community for more than 17 years. He resigned from the SAUPJ when he left South Africa for Austria in 1990.

He has a bachelor's degree in engineering from the University of Cape Town and an MBA from Carnegie-Mellon University in the US, and has had a long career in several countries as a senior officer with Accenture, the international consulting firm. He is also a visiting professor at the International Studies Centre of the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration.

Rabbi Uri Regev, president of the World Union, wrote in a congratulatory message: "We share in the satisfaction that you must feel that your many years of leadership and active support for cultural and humanitarian causes within and outside Austria and for the advancement of a better global community are being recognised by the Austrian Republic."

Said Steve Lurie, SAUPJ chairperson: "Your commitment and dedication to the South African Progressive community prior to your leaving for Austria, and even since you've been gone, have been exemplary and we appreciate all your efforts. This award is well deserved. Mazeltov!"

The majority of this article was provided courtesy the World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ)