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Synagogue Champion
million, went to STAR, an acronym for
Synagogue
Transformation and
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Renewal. Even though the program was
New York
founded with two other philanthropists,
harles Schusterman, a Jewish
Edgar Bronfman and Michael
philanthropist who spearheaded
Steinhardt, it was Mr. Schusterman's
a synagogue renewal effort,
brainchild.
died Saturday of complications
The program, which aims to revital-
from leukemia at the age of 65.
ize the synagogue, is slated to announce
Mr. Schusterman directed a founda-
its first grants in early January. "This was
tion that gives generously to Jewish caus-
his vision. This was what he wanted. He
es, including those promoting
felt very strongly that the
Jewish education and culture.
synagogue had to be a cen-
Mr. Schusterman, who
tral part of Jewish life," said
made his money in the oil
Richard Joel, the president
business, had battled leukemia
of Hillel.
since 1983. Told then that he
In expressing his condo-
had just six months to live, he
lences to Mr. Schusterman's
refused to accept the prognosis
wife, Lynn, Israeli Prime
and found an experimental
Minister Ehud Barak wrote
treatment that resulted in
that Mr. Schusterman "was
harsh effects such as lung dam-
zealous in his promotion of
age. But it also allowed Mr.
Jewish education and
Charles Schusterman
Schusterman another 17 years
strengthening Jewish identi-
of life, which he used to expand his
ty for the next generation, in his efforts
charitable and philanthropic work.
to renew synagogue life and in his advo-
In 1987, Mr. Schusterman and his
cacy for a vital U.S.-Israel relationship."
wife founded the Charles and Lynn
Mr. Schusterman was known for
Schusterman Family Foundation.
applying a business principle — seeking
Since then, the foundation became
a good investment on his money — to
known for its support of causes that
his philanthropic activity.
focus on Jewish renaissance. The foun-
Joel remembered how Mr.
dation regularly gives 75 percent of its
Schusterman approached him. "I'm pre-
donations to Jewish causes, said
pared to come to the table and invest in
Sanford Cardin, the Schusterman
the future of the Jewish people; what's
foundation's executive director.
the return going to be? Once he had
Through his various philanthropic
decided that something was right, he
vehicles, Mr. Schusterman backed the
was sold. He wanted to be involved if he
American Jewish Joint Distribution
could make it better."
Committee and Hillel: The Foundation
In 2000, the Schustermans gave some
for Jewish Campus Life, as well as other
$8 million to various philanthropies. In
Jewish efforts such as the Partnership for
accordance with Mr. Schusterman's
Excellence in Jewish Education and a
wishes, the family plans to increase its
cultural center in Jerusalem built by the
charitable giving, Cardin said.
Reform movement. He also was a sup-
The son of immigrants from what
porter of the American Israel Public
are today Belarus and Latvia, Mr.
Affairs Committee, the pro-Israel lobby.
Schusterman graduated from the
More recently, he was one of 14 phil-
University of Oklahoma with a
anthropists who pledged $5 million to
degree in petroleum engineering.
Birthright Israel, the program that offers
After serving in the Army, he entered
free trips to Israel for young Jewish
the oil business. In 1971, he founded
adults. The Birthright effort coalesced
Samson Resources, an oil firm named
two of the ideas that Mr. Schusterman
for his father, who died when Mr.
believed in: building Jewish leadership
Schusterman was 19.
and reaching out to unaffiliated Jews.
In addition to his oil business, Mr.
Mr. Schusterman "believed in the
Schusterman was involved in real
power of outreach to the intermarried
estate and banking, and was a part
and unaffiliated, and making the
owner of Bank Hapoalim, one of
intermarried — both the Jewish and
Israel's largest banks.
the non-Jewish spouse — as comfort-
In addition to Lynn, his wife of 38
able as possible with Judaism and the
years, and daughter Stacy, Mr.
Jewish religion," Cardin said.
Schusterman is survived by sons Hal
Mr. Schusterman's largest gift, $11.25
and Jay Li
PETER EPHROSS
ID
ANN ABRAMS, 92, of Farmington
Hills, died Dec. 29.
She is survived by her daughters
and sons-in-law, Betty and Irving
Baron of Beverly Hills, Adele and
Irving Faitler of Farmington Hills;
brother, Phillip Bronstein of
California; grandchildren, Demerie
and Li Chuan Chen, Leslee and Bill
Goldstein, Wendy and Jack Scull,
Gary and Sue Faitler, Barbara and
Patrick Kendall, Jan and Ted
Robertson, Steve and Jo Ann Baron;
17 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Abrams
was the beloved wife of the late Sam
Abrams.
Contributions may be made to
Hospice Home, 16250 Northland
Drive, Suite 212, Southfield, MI
48075. Interment at Hebrew
Memorial Park. Arrangements by
Hebrew Memorial Chapel.
FRIEDA BASSIN, 78, of Southfield,
died Dec. 30.
She is survived by her daughter and
son-in-law, Beth and Matthew
Johnson of Southfield; brothers, Max
Bassin of Southfield, Frank Bassin of
California, Chuck Bassin of
California; grandchildren, Stephen,
Jennifer.
Contributions may be made to a
charity of one's choice. Interment at
Adat Shalom Memorial Park.
Arrangements by Hebrew Memorial
Chapel.
ELLIS BROWNSTEIN, 70, of
Livonia, died Dec. 28.
He is survived by his beloved wife,
Ruth Brownstein; son and daughter-
in-law, Dr. David and Allison
Brownstein of West Bloomfield;
daughters and sons-in-law, Leslie and
Mark Rosenwasser of Ann Arbor,
Linda and Ronald Laird of
Farmington Hills; grandchildren,
Adam, Sarah, Bradley, Emily,
Veronica, Halley, Jessica and Molly.
Services were held at Temple Beth
Emeth in Ann Arbor. Contributions
may be made to Yad Ezra, 26641
Harding, Oak Park, MI 48237 or to a
charity of one's choice. Arrangements
by Dorfman Funeral Direction.
DR. DANIEL H. COHEN, 62, of
West Bloomfield, died Dec. 30. Prior
to his retirement in 1998, Dr. Cohen
had an OB-GYN practice in
Farmington Hills and Southfield for
many years. He was a member and
past treasurer of Temple Kol Ami and
on staff at Providence, Sinai and
Botsford hospitals.
Dr. Cohen is survived by his
daughters and sons-in-law, Sheryl and
Howard Meyers of West Bloomfield,
Denise Cohen of California, Lesli and
Mike Adamo, Tracey Cohen; grand-
children, Ryan and Gillian Meyers,
Madison Adamo; brother, Joseph
Cohen; sister and brother-in-law,
Elaine and Earl Hecker. He was the
beloved husband of the late Gail
Cohen.
Interment at Machpelah Cemetery.
Contributions may be directed to the
ALS Foundation. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel.
FRED H. COHEN, 100, of
Southfield, died Dec. 31.
He is survived by his daughter and
son-in-law, Sandra and Lee Marks of
West Bloomfield; grandchildren,
Susan and Jeffrey Goldsmith, Loree
and Gregg Trilling; great-grandchil-
dren, Alec and Samantha Goldsmith,
Alayna and Claire Trilling. Mr. Cohen
was the beloved husband of the late
Frances Cohen.
Interment at Machpelah Cemetery.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.
EMANUEL FEINBERG, 86, of West
Bloomfield, died Dec. 26. He was an
electrical and mechanical engineer, a
graduate of U-M and he received one
of the first physics scholarships at
University of Michigan. He was an
U.S. model airplane champion at age
of 17 and met President Hoover. He
was also a past president of Adat
Shalom Men's Club, past president of
American Society of Heating and
Refrigeration Engineering
Contractors, active with scouting and
a board member of Jewish Federation
Apartments.
Mr. Feinberg is survived by his son
and daughter- in-law, Richard and
Robin Feinberg of West Bloomfield;
daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and
Richard Abrams of Ohio; grandchil-
dren, Michael and Anna Feinberg,
Eryn and Jordan Abrams; sister and
brother-in-law, Edie and Donn
Resnick of Boomfield Hills. He was
the beloved husband of the late
Florence Feinberg.
Interment at Adat Shalom
Memorial Park. Contributions may be
directed to the Multiple Sclerosis
Society or the American Heart
Association. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel.
SANFORD GALE, 80, of Ypsilanti,
died Jan. 1. He was a jeweler.
He is survived by his daughter and
son-in-law, Carol and Dean Williams; AMR
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