Jewry's Role in
Human Affairs

Israeli regions through cultural, eco-
nomic and academic exchange —
began in 1994. Aronson chose the
central Galilee region where he spent
years volunteering on his grandpar-
ents' kibbutz.
According to Page, with delega-
tions of Sinai Hospital physicians,
Michigan political leaders, University
of Michigan faculty and adult and
teen missions to the region in recent
years, "(our) Partnership 2000 is now
recognized as one of the best, if not
the best, in the country"
A thought scribbled on a paper
napkin turned into an ambitious
fund-raising drive when Aronson and
David Hermelin (Bingham Farms
philanthropist and now U.S. ambas-
sador to Norway) dined together one
night in the mid-1990s. The question
was how to improve Jewish education
and continuity into the next millen-
nium. The answer was to tap $1 mil-
lion donors for formal and informal
Jewish education programs.
The endowment campaign, the
Millennium Campaign for Detroit's
Jewish Future, officially began in
mid-1998 with a goal of $50 million
within two years. So far, $37 million
has been raised.
Former Detroit Federation
President Joel Tauber, executive com-
mittee chairman of the United Jewish
Communities (which represents a
joining of the Council of Jewish
Federations, United Jewish Appeal
and United Israel Appeal), calls
Aronson the "driving force" of the
Millennium Campaign. Tauber says
Aronson raises 75 percent of all
Federation gifts over $750,000.
What makes him such a great
fund-raiser?
He won't take no for an answer,
but he's never offensive enough to get
tossed out, Tauber said.
Aronson believes it's all in build-
ing relationships. "My fund-raising
goal is part of a larger view of com-
munity by these individuals. If
they're feeling good about the direc-
tion of the community, they're more
likely to buy in, but you have to
have an idea.
Aronson has a special relationship
with one of the legendary givers in the
community, Franklin philanthropist
Max Fisher, 91. Their relationship
began with a love for Israel, and blos-
somed into something unique.
This is a man who has had such a
profound influence on my life,"
Aronson said.

DRIVING FORCE on page 12

Career Highlights

Neighborhood Project: A
Federation program that gives
interest-free loans to Jewish
home-buyers and renovators in
Oak Park and
Southfield. The lean
began in 1986, before
Aronson arrived, but
he has been critical to
the success of the program,
which has particularly revital-
ized the north Oak Park area.

PATRONS OF SOCIAL PROGRESS - HI
We speak of them in the same breath: Jewish families which claim places
in history and those which gave as they could to human betterment. During
this century, our country has been a major recipient of their largess, and the
land of Israel often won their support too. As in the case of Theodore
Arison, founder of Carnival Cruises, and son Micky, who have since
acquired the Cunard, Holland America and Seabourn lines--assembling the
largest fleet of its kind afloat. Pet projects include Florida's New World
Symphony, and an Israeli art school and hospital.
On creating a cosmetic colossus, Estee Lauder and her sons
Leonard and Ronald (a former ambassador to Austria), contributed
mightily to U.S. medical centers and various Jewish causes. Felice and
Albert Lippert, the force behind Weight Watchers, the world's largest
weight loss program, generously support Israeli education and hospitals in
America. As does the Block family whose namesake drug company
produces Nytol, Polident, Sensodyne and other popular health care
products. Other formidable benefactors include:

BARON EDMOND de ROTHSCHILD
(1845 1934) b. Paris, France He was generations
removed from the family's ghetto-born progenitor,
Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744 1812), the
German founder of the most influential financial
empire in Europe whose economic and political
history it helped write for centuries. But Edmond
forsook banking and devoted his life and fortune
to cultural and humanitarian causes in his native
France, and increasingly in behalf of Jewish settlements in Erez Israel.
He was preceded by Mayer's five sons posted in power centers
across the Continent. His father Jacob Mayer helped pioneer the French
railway system for the government of Napoleon III. Karl Mayer provided
sizeable loans to various duchies and Vatican states before and after Italy's
unification. Nathan Mayer was a dominant figure in English finance
whose son Lionel Nathan helped fund Benjamin Disraeli's purchase of
the Suez Canal. Salomon Mayer bolstered industrial and railroad
development in Austria. Eldest brother Amschel Mayer remained in
Frankfurt, advancing large loans to various German rulers.
Throughout its reigning years, the House of Rothschild survived
deep-rooted anti-Semitism to which it responded with courage, moral vigor
and with patriotic fervor for the nations it served. A significant number of
ranking family members, outstanding philanthropists all, entered Parliament
and were elevated to the English and French nobilities.

-

Federation moves its offices
the Max M. Fisher Building in
Bloomfield Township,
1992: Aronson, and
Mark Schlussel, play a
large role in bringing
the organization closer
to the Jewish community from
the downtown offices,

Partnership 2000, 1
Pairs the Detro
Jewish comm*
with Israel's
Galilee
joint projL
mutual interest. Aron*
{
driving force
Partnership 2000 rriO:

Commission o . \WW
"4
Eldercare Servid
Aronson and Robe
formed the
Options . CT.
in 1994 to
examine an
the ne t
older community.
recommendati
committee is to
COJES,
running.

Millennium Campai
A $50 million fund7
campaign, $25 m
upgrade the le
Community Ce
another $25
in $1 million-diteet.
donations f or,
1/4
<
Jewish Life Fund to impro,.,
Jewish education and contint#
ity. Aronson has been a drivi
force in this campaign.

-

NATHAN STRAUS
(1848 1931) b. Otterberg, Germany The Straus
family, headed by Lazarus, arrived in Georgia
before the Civil War and resettled in New York in
1865. His two older sons, Isador and Nathan
would follow their father's mercantile calling
while Oscar Solomon would become a
distinguished diplomat and public servant.
Following success in their family business, the
brothers amassed the capital to buy partnerships in the R.H. Macy
Department store whose sole ownership they gained in 1887. Within six
years, Isador entered another partnership to form Abraham and Straus, a
competing New York City based store. Both establishments were
forerunners of the world's mass marketing retail systems.
Distinction came equally to Nathan for his many philanthropic
efforts: promoting legislation for the mandatory pasteurization of milk;
providing food and coal to the poor in New York City; and building many
child welfare stations and health centers in Palestine. He had been hailed
as the leader in charitable giving to his city's most needful citizens during
the first quarter of the 20th Century.
Oscar Solomon's career in government included positions as the
first Jewish member of a presidential cabinet, as a three-time emissary to
Turkey and as an advisor to President Woodrow Wilson.
- Saul Stadtmauer

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