Maurice Rohrbach Fund for Swiss-American Cultural Exchange

07/29/2023

The MRF is pleased to support Swiss filmmaker Nathan Clement as he presents his film, “The truth about Alvert, the last dodo,” at the 12th annual BlackStar Film Festival in Philadelphia, August 3-6. The film will be in competition for Best Narrative Short Film, and would qualify for the Oscars. We wish Nathan the best of luck!!

MRF’s goal is to foster friendship and understanding through social and cultural interactions between Swiss and American peoples. Browse upcoming and past events sponsored by the MRF.

02/20/2023

On February 11, the MRF was delighted to host its members and friends for a docent-led tour of Meret Oppenheim: My Exhibition at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City. The exhibition, which closes on March 4, features 200 works by Oppenheim including the famous "Luncheon in Fur."

Following the exhibition tour, the new Consul General of Switzerland in New York, Ambassador Niculin Jäger, invited the group for a cocktail reception at the Swiss Residence. A highlight was a generous offering by Executive Chef Yannick Germanier of Swiss cheeses, breads, and wines.

To commemorate the occasion, the MRF presented two gifts: an Ambrosia Maple sphere created by Swiss woodturner, Philip Hauser, and an antique letter opener hand-crafted by descendants of Ernest “Mooney” Warther (1885-1973), who was a Swiss wood carver and knife maker and founder of what is now Warther Cutlery in Dover, Ohio. The letter opener is a rare surviving example of these openers, which have been given as gifts to at least four United States Presidents and countless Congressman and Senators.

01/01/2023

The Board of Directors of the MRF wish you good health, happiness, and prosperity in 2023!
(Photo credit: Zurich Tourismus)

08/01/2022

The Board of Directors of the MRF wishes all Swiss a Happy National Day!

On this day in 1291, the three forest cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden signed the Federal Charter and unified in the struggle against Habsburg rule. The charter is Switzerland’s oldest constitutional document and regarded as the foundation of the country.

Swiss people commemorate the day with family gatherings, barbecues and parades. Rütli field, where the Federal Charter was signed, hosts an official celebration where the President of the Swiss Confederation addresses the nation before fireworks and bonfires.

Throughout the country, locals gather in the streets waving flags that represent communities and cantons. Today these flags decorate homes, gardens, lanterns, and even food items.

05/05/2022

You're Invited!
AUTHOR TALK & COCKTAIL RECEPTION WITH DICCON BEWES on MAY 12TH, 2022.

01/01/2022

The Directors of the MRF wish you all good health and happiness in 2022!

While the COVID-19 pandemic continued to pose many challenges in 2021, our organization continued to thrive:

-We initiated a partnership with the Swiss Benevolent Society of New York, whereby the MRF sponsors a scholarship in the amount of $500 to a recipient of a SBS-NY Merit Scholarship in the field of the arts or social sciences.

-We are planning a guided tour of the exhibit “Living Abstraction” by the Swiss artist Sophie Taeuber-Arp at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York City in early 2022 — our first in-person activity since the start of the pandemic!

-We also have devised an amended strategic plan whose aim is to grow our Fund so that we increase our grantmaking, both in number of grants and amount of the awards.

Stay tuned for more FB posts in 2022, as well. We look forward to your engagement in our mission and a brighter year ahead for all!

11/02/2021

Attention hockey fans! The SBS of New York is holding their 4th annual Swiss Hockey Night on December 8th. To learn more and purchase tickets, go to https://www.sbsny.org/hockey.

The Swiss Benevolent Society of New York is a 501(c)3 non-profit providing Social Services and Scholarships

08/21/2021

The MRF Board of Directors congratulates Sofia Zavatone for receiving the very first MRF Special Award.

This award is presented by the SBS NY Merit Scholarship committee, in partnership with the Maurice Rohrbach Fund, once a year to an applicant whose area of study is in the field of Arts or Social Sciences.

If you are a student and you or your parent(s) are Swiss we encourage you to consult

The Swiss Benevolent Society of New York is a 501(c)3 non-profit providing Social Services and Scholarships

12/31/2020

The Board of the MRF wishes you good health and happiness in the New Year ahead!

12/29/2020

The MRF is pleased to partner with the Swiss Benevolent Society of New York, starting January 1, 2021, with an annual contribution to a special SBS Merit Scholarship for university or college students in the fields of the Arts, Cultures, or Social Sciences. Individuals of Swiss descent may apply for the scholarship directly through the Swiss Benevolent Society of New York at https://www.sbsny.org/scholarships.

The Swiss Benevolent Society of New York is a 501(c)3 non-profit providing Social Services and Scholarships

08/01/2020

The Board of the MRF wishes you a Happy Swiss National Day!

Swiss National Day is the national holiday of Switzerland, set on August 1st. Although the founding of the Swiss Confederacy was first celebrated on this date in 1891 and annually since 1899, it has only been an official holiday since 1994.

The August 1st Celebration on the Rütli meadow is broadcasting live NOW until 14h30 (8:30 am EDT) at www.missione1agosto.org/livestream or later on the Federal Council’s YouTube channel www.youtube.com/channel/UCh4VTxoTL79TpMBg3yBqSPQ

Impressum: Auf diesem Youtube-Kanal publiziert die Schweizerische Bundeskanzlei Videos über die Tätigkeit und Entscheide des Bundesrates. Rechtliche Grundlag...

06/21/2020

Many weeks ago, in pre-COVID-19 times (in the U.S.), the Maurice Rohrbach Fund for Swiss American Cultural Exchange was pleased to promote this performance by Mummenschanz at Philadelphia's Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. The aim was to raise awareness of this famed group of Swiss performers, in keeping with our mission of cultural exchange. Free tickets were made available for children and adults were offered tickets at a discounted price. Every sponsored ticket found a recipient, with demand exceeding supply! We look forward to the time when it will be safe again to gather indoors and enjoy the performing arts live, in person.

Please note, this performance uses special lighting effects. Subscribe now to our 19/20 season! Save up to 35% on tickets and enjoy great subscriber benefits. Learn more and subscribe now >>