Fredric R. Mann (September 13, 1903 – February 26, 1987) was an American industrialist and patron of the arts who helped finance music centers in Philadelphia and Tel Aviv.
[1] He explained his philanthropy by saying: “The Hebrew word for charity is tzedakah, which really means justice.
If you live opulently, you have to share with the less fortunate.”[2] Mann was born in Russia and came to the United States in 1905, moving to New Haven.
[1] In his 20s, Mann founded and directed the Seaboard Container Company which made cardboard boxes.
[1] As an arts patron, Mann arranged for Zubin Mehta's first conducting appearance in the United States at Robin Hood Dell (which became the Mann Center for the Performing Arts[3] after a move to the Centennial District) in 1960.