Dr. Arnulf M. Pins (“Arnie”) bequeathed an extraordinary legacy. He was the rare combination of the man of vision and implementation. With Arnie, ideals were meant to be realized. His fuel was his abiding love for the Jewish people and Israel. His tools were the disciplines of the social work profession and education. As educator and social worker, he left his lasting imprint not only on the many services and programs he initiated and developed, but on the hearts and minds of those who were privileged to work with him.
He first came to Israel in 1971 as visiting professor at the Paul Baerwald School of Social Work at the Hebrew University, where he helped establish the Joseph Schwartz Graduate Program for Training of Community Center Directors and Senior Personnel. During this year, he acted as advisor to Chayim Zipori on the development of community centers. In 1974, Arnie returned as an immigrant to assume the position of Associate Director of JDC-Israel and Director of the ADJC Regional Office for the Middle East, posts which he filled with distinction until his death on February 8, 1978.
During those four years, Arnie innovated and created, in addition to raising the standards for his profession and for the community center staff. He worked tirelessly for closer cooperation and understanding between Diaspora Jewish communal workers and Israeli professionals. His influence will long be felt by those who were his colleagues at the JDC, in schools of social work, and in various government ministries.