Vice President of Public and Cultural Affairs and General Counsel for Krasdale Foods, Inc.
Sigmund Balka, Vice President of Public and Cultural Affairs and General Counsel for Krasdale Foods Inc., was recently honored by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. The institution awarded Balka his first honorary doctorate degree in Doctorate of Humane Letters, honoris causa.
“I feel wonderful,” Balka said. “I feel that it is always good to have public recognition for public and private acts.”
He was recognized because he has been highly involved with several organizations throughout his lifetime. Balka was one of four recipients to be selected for this honorary degree by the Hebrew College. He was also invited to a luncheon with various Jewish leaders from across the United States.
Balka began his career at Krasdale Foods in the 1980s, which is now the oldest and largest food distribution company in New York. He later started Krasdale Galleries, which exhibits various artworks featuring Jewish, African-American, Latin American and feminist artists. As the curator, he has guided the company through eight art exhibitions each year. Located in New York City and White Plains, the galleries are open to both the general public and the company’s employees.
His passion for artwork led him to become a member of the Queens Museum of Art as Chair of the Exhibition and Acquisitions Committee. Here, he oversees the choice of art shows for the public to view at the museum.
“My interest in the arts started when I was four or five years old due to my mother who did not settle for something ordinary,” Balka said. “My home environment was the basis for my appreciation for fine arts and antiques.”
Balka is a graduate of Williams College, class of 1956 and received a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School. He plans on continuing his various involvements because, as he says, “There’s so many things that I’m involved in, I could write a book.”
