The Klein family of Baltimore is building a legacy — both in business and philanthropy. Following in the footsteps of the late patriarch Philip E. Klein, his son Michael and grandson Daniel are growing the family commercial real estate conglomerate, Klein Enterprises, and generously supporting the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology.
Visiting the Technion campus in Haifa on June 25, Michael and his wife, Jennifer, and Daniel and his wife, Anna, along with some 20 friends and family members, dedicated a wing at the Undergraduate Dormitory in honor of what would have been Philip’s 100th birthday on June 22. Technion President Peretz Lavie attended the dedication to show his respect for the patriarch, as he did 10 years ago when he attended Philip’s 90th birthday in Baltimore.
On the same day, Michael dedicated the Michael F. Klein Architectural Studio Complex in the Undergraduate Student Village. Michael generously gifted the Architectural Studio while the dormitory wing is a contribution from the Philip & Harriet Klein Foundation.
“Had my father been alive,” said Michael at the dedication, “he would think unbelievable things about the campus in New York City and the campus in China. We’ve become a light for all nations.”
Daniel joined his grandfather on trips to the Technion after he’d finished college. “I’d see people my age who had come out of the military, were here with their families, raising kids and going to school at the same time. We’d hear there was a lack of housing,” he said at the dedication. “I was able to see (Philip’s) passion for the university, his passion for Israel, his passion for the people here. We’re all here to help carry it forward.”
Mr. Philip Klein began his real estate career in 1939 and soon after founded the commercial real estate conglomerate Klein Enterprises. Known in Baltimore as “Mr. Technion,” Philip generously supported various university projects in fields including biomedical science, environmental engineering and student funds. For his contributions, he received both a Technion Honorary Doctorate and the American Technion Society’s (ATS) highest honor, the Albert Einstein Award. Mr. Klein and his wife, Harriet, were Technion Guardians — a designation reserved for those whose support for the university reaches the highest levels.
Michael serves as Chairman of the family business. He is a past president of the ATS in Baltimore, and sits on both the Technion Board of Governors and the national ATS Board of Directors. He and Jennifer are also Technion Guardians. In addition to establishing the architectural studio, they have supported the Hopkins-Technion Center in Bio-medical Engineering, student scholarship funds and several ATS Baltimore-area projects.
Daniel currently serves as President of Klein Enterprises, and was formerly a real estate broker and investor in Massachusetts. He has been instrumental in supporting the Philip & Harriet Klein Foundation. Daniel is an active member of Young President’s Organization, the International Council of Shopping Centers and the Urban Land Institute. He serves on various boards in the Baltimore community including at the Park School, the University of Baltimore Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Baltimore.