In recognition of the wisdom, skill, and probity that characterize his exemplary leadership of wide-ranging initiatives and organizations, benefitting the lives of many throughout Europe; of his multifaceted dedication, animated by a profound sense of personal responsibility, to the wellbeing of the Jewish People and the State of Israel; and of his enlightened and munificent stewardship of scientific excellence, as manifest in his abiding commitment to the Weizmann Institute of Science and its Swiss Association of Friends and European Committee.
A highly esteemed member of the European legal establishment, Dr. Herbert Winter has combined a successful career in law with a life-long commitment to public service and to the Jewish community—in the broadest sense of this term.
Born in 1946 in Zurich, Switzerland, Winter grew up in a traditional Jewish family, soaking up the values of tolerance and tzedakah, developing a strong Jewish identity and a sense of solidarity with the community, and a strong aspiration to do good for mankind.
He studied law at the University of Zurich and received a PhD magna cum laude in 1974. He served as the General Counsel of large multinational companies for a number of years, dealing mainly with international contracts, mergers, and acquisitions. At 40 years of age, he established his own law firm, whose main focus is international commercial and corporate law.
Since early on in his life, Winter has been guided by a passionate commitment to the community. Thus, in parallel to his demanding professional obligations, he has dedicated considerable time, efforts, and resources to manifold philanthropic activities, including key leadership positions in Jewish organizations. Today, he is the president of the Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (since 2008), which represents the interests of the Jewish communities in Switzerland vis-à-vis the Swiss political system and government, society, and the media. In this capacity, he is heavily involved in interfaith and intercultural dialog with Christian and Muslim leaders, and addresses exigent issues such as anti-Semitism, security, and the status of religion and religious communities in a secular society.
In addition, he is a member of the European Jewish Congress Executive Board, the umbrella entity of European national Jewish organizations; the Swiss Council of Religions (of which he is a former chair); and serves on the advisory board of the Open Forum of the World Economic Forum Davos. In the 1990s, spurred by his substantial legal experience and deep commitment to the Jewish people, he became very active in helping the descendants of Holocaust victims recover dormant accounts in Swiss banks and insurance companies. Feeling that time is running out, he immersed himself in this endeavor, in both legal counseling and public relations capacities, until a $1.25 billion settlement was reached.
In the same spirit, he initiated and headed a campaign to aid Kosovo War (1998-1999) refugees. With the support of the Jewish media and organizations, Switzerland’s small Jewish community collected close to $1 million, which was used to set up and run refugee camps and schooling programs in Albania.
His devotion to Israel and to the Weizmann Institute is enduring and enthusiastic. He was introduced to the Institute in the early 1980s by two of the founders of the European Committee of the Weizmann Institute, Dr. Veit Wyler and Dr. Josef Cohn, who was the personal secretary and political advisor to Dr. Chaim Weizmann. Subsequently elected as a Committee board member, Winter serves on the Institute’s International Board, is a past member of its Executive Board and, for over 25 years, has been deeply active in the Board of the Swiss Friends.
Herbert Winter is married to Anita and the couple has four children: Gadi, Manuel, Rafael, and Alisa.