..EaREVER OURS

AMBASSADOR DAVID B. HERMELIN,

1936-2000

DAVID TAUGHT US KEY LESSONS

B

eyond everything that already has
been said about David Hermelin,
and all of the beneficiaries of his
work around the earth, even more
important is how many of us are better
because he touched our lives.
David taught us that it wasn't only
important to give and be involved in
the community, but that it is so per-
sonally rewarding. He taught us it was-
n't a burden to ask others for contribu-

HARVEY
BRONSTEIN
Special to the
Jewish New

Harvey Bronstein, a longtime friend of David Hermelin,

is a Southfield resident.

tions, but that we benefited by merely asking. He
taught us that nearly every problem is solvable. He
taught us to care for everyone. He taught us to always
be optimistic. He taught us how to take on adversity.
David reminded us that life is fun and exciting.
He reminded us to be proud to be Jewish and love
everything Jewish. He reminded us to always be
there for our families and our friends and anyone
needing help.
His love for Israel and the Jewish people was con-
tagious. We are not only great admirers of David,
but, to some degree or another, are emulators.
David changed many lives, all for the better. He
was our hero. ❑

DAVID WAS A ROLE MODEL

find it very painful and saddening to
remember David Hermelin and
think about his being gone. He was
truly an unforgettable person. I
remember his vitality, his enthusiasm,
his deep convictions and his passion
HARVEY
for causes important to him ... his
WEIS13ERG
ability to work well with everyone, to
Special to the
get people to work well with him and
Jewish News
to have fun doing it.
He served as my first vice president
while I was president of Congregation Shaarey
Zedek. We both spent several years working our
way up the ladder and working together for mutual
goals, such as an increased emphasis on Jewish for-
mal and informal education; greater focus on our
youth programs and informal, positive Jewish expe-
riences for our young people and our families; spe-
cial efforts to give women and girls in our congrega-
tion the right to bat mitzvah during Shabbat morn-

Harvey Weisberg, a longtime friend of David
Hermelin, is a Bloomfield Hills resident.

ing services, including participation in services with
aliyot, reading Haftorah and the Torah, and being
counted as part of minyanim.
David was a role model for me by the inspiring
leadership he showed in his support of Israel Bonds
— locally, nationally and internationally; of the
unforgettable first major Michigan Miracle Mission
to Israel in 1993, which he helped organize and
lead; by opening his home (with his wife Doreen's
outstanding assistance) and using his own personal
appeals and examples to spearhead fund-raising pro-
grams for Shaarey Zedek, the.United Jewish Appeal,
American ORT, the Michigan Cancer Foundation
and many other organizations and agencies —
Jewish and otherwise — for noteworthy, philan-
thropic causes.
David was involved actively in our democratic
processes — motivating many of us to support can-
didates for local, state and national offices.
He was a unique individual who has left a perma-
nent imprint on all of us who had the privilege of
sharing in his friendship and in the causes he so
successfully championed. ❑

THE MAGIC OF DAVID'S PRESENCE

M

12/1

2000

36

ost people will remember David
Hermelin for his unbelievable
generosity, endearing smile and
semi-professional magic tricks, but I
remember David for his ability to
enrapture a crowd as deftly as his
sleight of hand.
CARLA. JEAN
SCHWARTZ
Some 10 years ago, I was chairman of
Local
Hillel Day School of Metropolitan
Columnist
Detroit's annual dinner. After the cock-
tail hour, the 800-plus patrons needed to
be seated in order for the program and dinner to beo-in

First, I asked politely for everyone to sit down.
Next, I got a bit testy. Finally, I shrieked. No one,
but no one, paid attention to me.
Then I asked David Hermelin for some tips on
crowd control. He took charge of the microphone
and starting telling a joke. "But before I tell the
punch line, everyone needs to be seated," said
David.
Like one of David's tricks, the crowd stopped,
totally mesmerized. They sat down immediately and
the din just disappeared. David's presence is, was
and always will be magical. ❑

I

wenty-three years ,ago, many of us attempted
something rarely accomplished in the previ-
ous 40 years. For once, we
would surprise my Uncle David his
way, on his 40th birthday So, in
true David Hermelin fashion, we
each held a picture of him over our
faces, then witnessed David ' ,
Herman walk into a room full of
David Hermelins. It was amazing; he
'
MATTHEW
actually looked completely surprised.
WEINBERG
I've come to believe that, like
Special to the
everything else, Uncle David actually
Jewish News
knew. The only reason he looked so
surprised is because when he walked into a room
full of other Davids, he didn't kaiow how, with that
crowd, he would be able to control the micro-
phone. But soon the ultimate Master of
Ceremonies stood before us on stage, mike in hand.
He did a shtick, and when things settled, he
paused. In a rare serious moment on stage, he
asked to bring up the one person who he loved
most in the world. Immediately, I hopped out of
my seat and joined him on stage.
At age 6, I couldn't understand why people
were laughing. Of course, he was talking about
me. His actions said it all.
This was the man who, above the call of any
normal duties to family, stepped in and cared for
my mom and us kids after our dad died. He took
me on motor-home trips, ski trips to Aspen,
weekends at Cedar Point. He didn't have to have
me around all the time, but he did. So, of course,
it made sense that he loved me the most.
What's amazing is that I'm not the only one
who feels that way. Uncle David blurred the line
between extended family and immediate family.
He also blurred the line between friends and
extended fan-iily. To be in his presence was not
only to feel special and unique, but to feel at-
home. It was not only he who made me, and us,
feel this way. Aunt Doreen and all of my cousins
have been so remarkable and carry the same val-
ues, not only in their hearts, but in their actions.
MATTHEW on page 38