Catching Up With Eric Kornblit '91

12/17/2014

Coming from a family of Holocaust survivors and Zionists, Eric Kornblit '91 always fostered a sense of loyalty to Israel. After High School he was accepted into the University of Maryland’s Honors program and studied abroad during that time at Hebrew University. Loving Israel, Eric traveled there again to study at Yeshiva for a few weeks. As he was on a bus, on his way to say Tehillim for his mother who was ill at the time, he became the victim of a terrorist attack. A bottle smashed into his face, and somehow, he was fortunate enough to only need 20 stitches to recover his health. As he boarded the flight home to America, he decided there was no doubt in his mind that he could not let anyone else get injured; Eric pledged, “Never again.” After earning a Masters in Business in a dual program from Ben Gurion University and Boston University, Eric made Aliyah with one purpose in mind: to serve in the Israel Defense Forces. He served in the Golani Brigade completing tours of duty in Southern Lebanon and Judea and Samaria.

By 1999, Eric was hired by Intel in Israel to work as a supply chain manager in commercial construction. His job ended up taking him around the world to Ireland, China, and even New Mexico, where he met his wife, Robin. However, he had to take a hiatus from work when he was called from the reserves to participate in Operation Defensive Shield in the Spring of 2002. For a moment, his family in America thought that Eric may have been among the casualties in Israel when it was reported that an American in another unit died. After he was able to contact them, his family was relieved to know that Eric was in good health. After his return to Israel, and the birth of his first child, Daniel, Eric decided to move his family to Portland, Oregon in 2004 for better work opportunities. Since then, they have settled there and had a second child, Hannah. Eric proudly continues to connect to his Judaism by sending his kids to Portland Jewish Academy, serving as Treasurer of Congregation Kesser Israel and serving on the NCSY Board. But, Eric also recognizes where his passion for Judaism and Israel was fostered—Beth Tfiloh.

Growing up, Eric was the youngest of three to attend BT and he was the first with the option to go to BT’s High School. Since it was still developing, Eric initially opted to go to Pikesville High School. Although he liked it, he realized he needed to return to Beth Tfiloh, after his very first trip to Israel during the summer after his freshman year. He realized he had a passion for Judaism that only BT could satisfy. Plus, he had a personal connection to BT, what with his grandparents living only two doors down from Mrs. Schorr for many years on Glengyle Avenue! Over the years, Eric has treasured his connection to BT, creating lifelong friends from BT and witnessing his niece and nephew become second generation BT students. In return, we can say we are proud to be his alma mater and look forward to seeing many more great things from Eric.

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