Innovation, inspiration, and compassion are the foundation for Bob & Michelle Diener’s philanthropy philosophy. The Miami-based couple are active supporters of philanthropies that are making a significant difference and solving issues, primarily within the Jewish community and Israel.
What attracted the Dieners to Hadassah was the Hadassah Medical Organization’s (HMO) innovative bench-to-bedside approach to medical research and their compassionate “bridges to healing” treatment philosophy, providing world-class medical care to everyone, regardless of race, religion or nationality.
The Dieners are currently playing a critical role in Hadassah’s $91.2 million, 360 Degrees of Healing, The Full Circle Campaign. The fundraising plan reimagines and repositions HMO‘s historic Round Building at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem as a world-class medical research and treatment facility for a revitalized Jerusalem in the 21st century.
The Dieners’ initial connection to Hadassah came through Bob’s business partner of nearly three decades, David Litman, whose wife Malia has multiple sclerosis. Bob recalls, “David and Malia looked all over the world for an effective treatment and HMO was the only place that offered a viable treatment program. Once I witnessed the remarkable change in Malia’s symptoms, I looked deeper into HMO and discovered all of their ‘First in World’ breakthroughs, saw how dedicated their medical research teams were, witnessed how generously they treated everyone regardless of race, religion, or nationality and I was immediately on board.”
The couple also share a strong emotional bond with Israel, where they spent their honeymoon, with Bob noting, “Israel is my homeland. I spent most summers there, visiting my grandparents who lived in Haifa. I feel an incredible emotional connection every time I set foot off the plane. It’s where my heart is. My children also have a strong love for Israel and have studied and volunteered in various institutions in Israel.”
The Dieners' generous donation will support an operating room in the Round Building at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem and is being made in memory of Bob's sister, Brenda Diener Karasik, who died of lung cancer eight years ago. “I made the donation in honor of my sister Brenda, who was a successful entrepreneur, a loving mother to two boys, and had a great love for Israel. There’s not a day that I don’t feel this loss. I hope her memory inspires HMO to continue its tireless medical research and that this gift enables Hadassah's hospitals to continue to treat the world’s most devastating diseases.”
For Michelle, it’s the connection between Hadassah and the State of Israel. She enthuses, “Hadassah brought modern health care to Israel over 100 years ago. Today, Hadassah's hospitals care for thousands of people in Israel and around the world and finds the treatments to major diseases that help people worldwide. Together, Israel and Hadassah hold up the torch in medicine to make people’s lives better around the globe.”
Since 2009, Bob has been co-founder and president of getaroom.com, which Frommer’s recently hailed as “Best Hotel Booking Site.” He and David Litman are pioneers in the online travel industry. In 1991, the two entrepreneurs founded Hotel Reservations Network, the original merchant model for booking hotel rooms online, which became hotels.com.
Bob sits on the national boards of AIPAC, Israel Bonds, and the Hasbara Fellowships. The Dieners are active with Aish HaTorah, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation, the JCS Kosher Food Bank, the Miami Children’s Museum and many other organizations. They and their five children reside in Miami, FL. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Their children are active with AIPAC on campus and their daughter Noa is president of AIPAC on campus at Posnack Jewish Day School in Davie, FL.