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orials

Jews Worldwide Indebted
To Max Fisher's Humanitarianism

"We are all trustees of our Jewish heritage . . . with
an obligation to cherish it, improve it and guard
its future. "
— Detroiter Max Fisher

of Detroit following the 1967 riots, becoming a
leader in American Jewry's top communal agen-
cies (United Jewish Appeal, Council of Jewish
Federations and the Jewish Agency for Israel).
His Jewish communal work gave him access
Max Fisher — entrepreneur, industrialist, phil-
to Israel's political power structure. He soon
anthropist, adviser to world leaders — is
came to know and consult with many of Israel's
arguably the most influential and respected
major political and military figures, who saw
American Jew.
him as American Jewry's unofficial envoy.
Still attending business and philanthropic
Throughout the 50-year struggle for survival
meetings locally, nationally and internationally,
as an independent nation, Fisher has held firm
he's truly a world-class pillar of the Jewish com-
in his support for Israel, never confusing inter-
munity — as much for his wisdom as his gen-
nal political or religious squabbles with the need
erosity.
for a vibrant Jewish homeland.
As the former Jewish Federation of Metro-
He holds a special affinity for the causes of
politan Detroit president basks in the afterglow
Soviet and Ethiopian Jewry.
of his 90th birthday on July 15, we wish him
Fisher has extended a helping hand to the
secular community as well. In 1961, he became
continued health and happiness.
Growing up in a small, conservative Ohio
the first Jew to head Detroit's Torch Drive; later,
town, Fisher had a meager Jewish education.
he headed its parent agency, United Foundation
But he was always aware of his
(now United Way Communi-
•
ty Services).
Jewish identity. It was there, in
' He was one of the first
Salem, Ohio, that he devel-
Jews to serve on the boards of
oped his political leanings: a
the Detroit Symphony
social liberal and economic
Orchestra and the Detroit
conservative.
Institute of Arts Founders
. Shrewd, caring, loyal, per-
Society, until then dominated
suasive, visionary, a consensus
by upper-class gentiles. After
builder — that's Max Fisher.
the 1967 riots, he chaired _
He earns headlines because of
Detroit Renaissance and New
what he does for others, not
Detroit Inc.
because he's enamored with
In 1972, he accompanied
himself — one reason why, in
Henry Ford II on Ford's first
1964, he won the Detroit Jew-
trip to Israel; later, he helped
ish community's highest
win Ford's financial and busi-
honor, the Fred M. Butzel
ness support for Israel.
Memorial Award.
Max Fisher: Still spry at 90.
Over the years, Fisher
His wealth helped catapult
has mentored some of the
him to leadership positions in
Detroit Jewish community's brightest stars,
the Republican Party, the Detroit political scene
including David Hermelin, Joel Tauber, Dr.
and the American Jewish community. It also
Conrad Giles, and his daughter and son-in-
helped him land advisory roles in Washington
law, Jane and Larry Sherman. "He has always
and Jerusalem. But his keen counsel kept him at
led by example," says Tauber, who has known
the forefront.
Fisher for 35 years. "His dedication to the
His prowess on behalf of humanitarian caus-
cause, his total integrity, his self-described
es is legendary. When it comes to fund raising,
patience and perseverance — all have had a
it's tough to say no to Max — one reason he
humbling impact on me."
was able to raise $200 million in private dona-
Tauber has held a number of national Jewish
tions for Israel within weeks of the final shot in
communal positions, but has always stayed
the Yom Kippur War. His support on behalf of
active locally. "Max taught me that you have to
Jewish education, Jewish health services and
continue involvement in your local community,
Jewish care for the aged unquestionably has
no matter how high you rise nationally. You can
strengthened Jewish continuity from generation
never forget your roots."
to generation.
The landscape of Max Fisher's life is far more
The son of typical eastern European Jewish
lavish than many will ever know. But its roots
immigrants, Fisher is one of the few American
lie in a person who has parlayed wealth and
Jews to make a fortune in the oil business. But
power into truly making a difference in the lives
instead of turning reclusive, he reached out
of others — Jews and gentiles alike.
politically, civicly and charitably — advising
The world is a better place because of
U.S. presidents and Israeli prime ministers on
him.
Middle East affairs, helping shape the rebuilding

IN FOCUS

Seeds Of Hate

More than 200
people showed
up last week for
a meeting of the
newly formed
Mothers Against
Teaching Chil-
dren to Kill &
Hate
(MATCKH) at
the Max M.
Fisher Jewish
Federation
Building. This
image from "The Children's Club," a Palestinian children's TV
program, shows a boy saying, "My heartfelt conviction is to
launch a Jihad war." Another episode showed Arab children
reciting poems extolling the virtues of the suicide bombing of
Israelis. Molly Resnick of MATCKH said the purpose of expos-
ing American Jews to this Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation
TV program was "to show our people things not being shown
by the media." Ferne Hassan, U.S. coordinator for Jerusalem-
based Peace for Generations, was keynote speaker at the
MATCKH event. Local psychiatrist Emanuel Tanay spoke
about the effects of indoctrinating children with hatred. Meet-
Mg co-hosts were the Zionist Organization of America-Metro
Detroit District and the Jewish Community Council of Metro-
politan Detroit. 0

LETTERS

BBYO Alliance
With Federation

Julie Weiner's July 10 article,
"Looking For Help," compels
me to provide the community
with additional information
and history.
In 1987, Mr. Alan Juris, a
former Federation planning
director, approached the writer
about the possibility of moving
the B'nai B'rith Youth Organi-
zation's local offices to the
Maple-Drake JCC. The reason
for this request was the Cen-
ter's lack of teen programming
and activity and the fact that
BBYO was paying $15,000 per
year to outside parties (current
rental income to the Center is
$21,000 per year). There was
unused space at the Center and
additional income was needed.
The result was that the BBYO
program became relocated at

BBYO teens take part in a
Passover seder.

the Maple-Drake JCC and the
Center benefitted from more
teen activity.
The understanding was that
BBYO would become a benefi-
ciary agency of the Federation.
Therefore, both organizations
gained.
BBYO will celebrate its
75th anniversary in 1999. It is
the largest and oldest youth
movement in the U.S. Its pen-
etration into the youth popula-
tion over many years, along
with its nondenominational
appeal, has resulted in thou-

7/24
1998

Detroit Jewish News

29