James Shasha

James J. Shasha (Baghdad, Kingdom of Iraq, September 15, 1929 – Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 21, 2019) was an American businessman and philanthropist of Sephardic Jewish origin. He conducted most of his business activities in Argentina, initially in the wool industry and later in the hotel sector. At the same time, he supported philanthropic initiatives related to higher education, scientific research, and the strengthening of academic and community institutions in Argentina, Israel and the United States.

Biography

Early life and education James Shasha was born in Baghdad, then part of the Kingdom of Iraq, into a Sephardic Jewish family.

In 1955, he settled in Argentina, where he conducted most of his business career.

In 1992, he supported the creation of the Shasha Institute for Strategic Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which was intended to conduct interdisciplinary seminars for individuals involved in decision-making.

Subsequently, the university developed the institute under the name James J. Shasha Center for Strategic Studies, which continues to bear his name and conducts research and educational activities in strategic studies and public policy.

In 2018, he supported the inauguration of the James J. Shasha Complex for Psychological Sciences, a building intended for the Department of Psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and for research and academic training programs.

His relationship with Wesleyan University continued for decades after his graduation. In 2002, he funded the creation of the Shasha Seminar for Human Concerns, an annual seminar devoted to the interdisciplinary analysis of issues of international interest for students, graduates, and faculty of the university.

Personal life Shasha was married to Eliana Serafina Teubal. The couple had two daughters: Leslie Shasha, who is a psychologist, and Arlene Fern Shasha de Bialobroda, who died in 1992. In 1997, following a contribution from the Shasha Teubal family, the institution adopted the name Arlene Fern Community School in honor of Arlene Fern Shasha de Bialobroda. The same contribution enabled the project to be expanded through the acquisition of properties for the subsequent development of the Belgrano Jewish Community Center.

Awards and honors The Hebrew University of Jerusalem appointed him an honorary member in 1992. In 2000, it awarded him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contribution to the development of the institution and his support for higher education and scientific research.

In 2013, he received the Scopus Award from the Argentine Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem for his support of the university and his community activities.

Legacy Various academic initiatives and institutions bear his name. These include the Shasha Seminar for Human Concerns at Wesleyan University, established in 2002 through a donation from Shasha himself and devoted to the interdisciplinary analysis of matters of global interest.

At the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the James J. Shasha Center for Strategic Studies operates as the continuation of the institute established with his support in 1992, as well as the James J. Shasha Complex for Psychological Sciences, inaugurated in 2018 to house the Department of Psychology and research and academic training programs.