Tisch Hall

Philanthropy on a Table

Tisch Hall. Photo courtesy: UM Student Life

By Eitan Ben Shitrit

The idea of philanthropy has always fascinated me. I can't help but wonder: what inspires wealthy people to make such large donations? This question is particularly relevant when we consider the story of Tisch Hall at the University of Michigan, which was made possible thanks to The Tisch Family's generous contribution.

Tisch Hall is a building that provides access to the humanities for many students at the UM, as its four floors include the departments of History, English, History of Art, and more (Adamy). The building’s construction was finished in 1997 and is named after Preston and Joan Tisch, who gifted the university $7.5 million, $6 million of which was designated towards the building (Kamins).

Although the Tisch family has donated to a variety of organizations, including gifts to New York University, Duke University, and the Central Park Zoo ("A Legacy of Giving"), the donation to Tisch Hall has a unique story that distinguishes it from any other. Preston and Joan both attended the University of Michigan and met on the stairs of the Hatcher Graduate Library (Kamins). Tisch Hall finished its construction about half a century after they first met, and is only about a one-minute walk from the Hatcher Library. LSA Dean Edie Goldenberg said: “Tisch and his wife met on the steps of the Hatcher Graduate Library. Now they will be able to see that building from Tisch Hall” (Kamins).

First Floor at Tisch Hall, April 3, 2023, by Eitan Ben Shitrit.

"Joan Tisch and her husband, Preston Robert Tisch, at a fund-raising event at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 2001" by Bill Cunningham. Photo courtesy: New York Times

The couple’s experience at the university played a huge role in their decision to donate to the institution, as the building is just one of many donations the family has gifted the university. Their other donations to UM include the Tisch Tennis Building, Preston Robert Tisch Building, the Joan and Bob Tisch Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, a family scholarship, and the list only continues (Malcolm). The generous donations sum up to tens of millions of dollars, which is a testimony to the family’s strong bond with UM. When he was asked about this connection, Tisch replied: “We felt that we wanted to give something back. I met my wife there. I went to school there... The University was very good for me and my family. When we decided we wanted to donate to an institute of higher education, The University of Michigan was the one I wanted to give to” (Kamins).

The name Tisch bears its significance not only due to the family’s philanthropic contributions but also because of its roots and importance within Jewish culture. Tisch (טיש) is the Ashkenazi German Yiddish word for "table” (Jewish English Lexicon). In Jewish culture, tables serve as a symbol of community and hospitality. The Jewish dinner table is a place where people come together to share meals, converse, learn from one another, and celebrate (Levinson). Tisch Hall is home to seven different humanity programs. It also includes classrooms, offices, and seminar rooms. It serves as more than just a building but rather a space for educating, learning, and communicating; just like the Jewish table.

The Tisch family's generous donation has profoundly impacted the University of Michigan. As students, we visit and study at a lot of places but often fail to delve into their history and meaning. The university is our tisch, our table. Each one of us has a spot in it. Knowing this history can make us feel more belonging and maybe also instill a desire to give back to the table, just like the Tisch family.

Works Cited

“A Legacy of Giving.” Forbes, 2007, A Legacy Of Giving.

Adamy, Janet. “Alumnus Dedicated Two New Buildings.” The Michigan Daily, vol. 107, no. 135, 1997, p.1.

Ben Shitrit, Eitan. Interior photograph of Tisch Hall. 3 Apr. 2023. Author’s personal collection.

Cunningham, Bill. ”Joan Tisch and her husband, Preston Robert Tisch, at a fund-raising event at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 2001.” The New York Times, 2001, Tisch - NYT. Accessed 9 Apr 2023.

Kamins, Heather. “Alums donate $17.5 M for campus buildings.” The Michigan Daily, vol. 107, no. 51, 1997, p.3.

Levinson, Eyal. “Situated Fathering in Medieval Ashkenaz.” Jewish Studies Quarterly, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 278–96.

Malcolm, Judith. “Tisch family members continue tradition of support.” The University Record, 2014, Tisch family members continue tradition of support | The University Record.

"Tisch Hall." UM Student Life Campus Information, UM Student Life, Accessed 7 April 2023.

“Tisch.” Jewish English Lexicon, Jewish English Lexicon. tisch - Jewish English Lexicon. Accessed 6 April 2023.

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