Obituaries

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The Hidden Tzadik

F

rom almost the moment of
his birth, Louis Harris and the
Young Israel movement were
intricately entwined. This long-lasting
relationship was saluted three years
ago when Louis received the National
Young Israel Lifetime Achievement
Award.
Louis' father, Maurice, was president
of Young Israel of Woodward when
the congregation met in the Jewish
Community Center in Detroit. When
Young Israel was built on Dexter, the
family followed. Louis, as an adult,
became a key leader of Young Israel
of Greenfield in Oak Park and Young
Israel of Northridge, Calif.
Mr. Harris, 82, of Northridge, died
Sept. 18, 2007.
After high school, he enlisted in the
Army and served during World War II,
as his father had in World War I. Young
Israel of Detroit later honored them
as the youngest father and son from
that shul to have served in both World
Wars.
In 1947, Louis married Mildred Fox.
They had four children — Barbara,
Avrum, Hartley and Shelle — and
moved to Oak Park where many young-
er Young Israel families had located. It
was deja vu. They davened in people's
homes and then at the JCC. Louis was
the founding president of Young Israel
of Greenfield and was an integral part
of the building of the new synagogue.
He also served many terms on the
board after his term as president.
In 1965, Mildred died and Louis faced
the formidable task of raising their
four children on his own. Like most of
the challenges in his life, he faced the

JAMES GOLDEN, 83, of Sun City West,

Ariz. died Oct. 8, 2007.
Mr. Golden was born on June 24, 1924,
in Detroit. He and his loving wife, Rita,
were married for 57 years. He proudly
served his country during World War II as
an Air Force bombardier. He founded and
operated a stainless steel sales and pro-
cessing business.
Mr. Golden is survived by his wife, Rita;
children, Steven (Cherie) Golden, Douglas
(Soraya) Golden, Nancy (Larry) Shapiro
and Elizabeth (Robert) Schlein; grandchil-
dren, Ryan, Adam, Zachary, Alessandra,

situation, did what had to be done and
did it well without fanfare. His chil-
dren all graduated college,
raised families and remain
active in their communities
— founding and support-
ing Jewish day schools
and continuing the tradi-
tions with which they were
imbued.
In 1979, Louis moved to
California and joined Young
Israel of Northridge, serv-
ing as president and sev-
eral terms on the board.
He was always looked to
Louis Harri
for advice as an elder of
the community, which will honor his
memory at its 25th anniversary dinner
in February.
But Yiddishkeit and people were
what Louis was about. He worked daily
to sustain minyanim at several shuls
and often attended two shuls before
he went to the business he owned and
operated to the last hours of his life.
In Michigan and California there are
countless people who credit "Uncle
Lou" as their first positive experience
with living Judaism, making them feel
comfortable in shul — teaching about
the siddur, kaddish, haftorot, or how to
prepare for a bar mitzvah or lead ser-
vices. He'd literally stand next to them
for support as they accomplished their
goal. He invited strangers to his suk-
kah or seder, making them feel com-
fortable and welcome. It was all done
with love.
On his 80th birthday, "Uncle Lou"
was honored by nine different con-
gregations and several hundred indi-

viduals. Although it embarrassed him,
many individuals felt compelled to tell
him the impact that he
had had on their lives.
They shared that their
current commitment to
Judaism was due direct-
ly to him and that some
of their fondest memo-
ries were of being at his
table on Shabbat or on
one of the festivals.
And all this while run-
ning his own business or
as a partner in business-
es including Cass Car
Storage, Mi-Lo Abrasives
and Tools, S & H Appliances, Tool Bin
and Lou Harris Industrial Tools.

Francesca Pia, Seth, Brad, Robbie, Maxine
and Nate.
Contributions may be made to the
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, American
Heart Association or a charity of one's
choice.

of West Bloomfield, Dr. Neil and Simha
Hertzberg of West Bloomfield, Karyn
and Dr. Mark Faber of Southfield; Rose's
children, Joel and Katie Stocker, Michael
and Margo Stocker, Ken and Nancy
Stocker; grandchildren, Dr. Rachel and
Dr. Christopher Hule, Michael and Leann
Hertzberg, Nicole Hertzberg, Steven
Hertzberg, Michelle Faber, Joshua Faber
Gabriel Faber, Nathaniel Faber, Jill and Jeff
Gershune, David and Blythe Stocker, Julie
Stocker and Eric Mann, Laurie Stocker,
Daniel Stocker, Jacob Stocker, Hannah
Stocker; great-grandchildren, Phoebe

JOSEPH B. HERTZBERG, 85, of

Farmington Hills, died Oct. 9, 2007. He
was a pharmacist and partner at Sterling
Drugs in Warren.
Mr. Hertzberg is survived by his wife,
Rose S. Hertzberg; sons and daughters-
in-law, Dr. Mark and Rosalyn Hertzberg

Mitzvot Behind The Scenes

This humble man, the confidante of
Orthodox, Conservative, Reform and
Renewal rabbis — was called by many
the "Tzadik of Northridge." He did his
mitzvot quietly, behind the scenes.
He often collected money for some-
one down on his luck or for a family he
knew of that needed help, always qui-
etly, without fanfare. He had a welcom-
ing smile and outstretched hand for
everyone and made friends wherever
he went, in work and in shuls of all
denominations.
Louis taught by example. You knew
what was important to him because he
modeled the values he espoused.
Louis Harris was the beloved hus-
band of the late Mildred Fox Harris.
He is survived by his chil-
dren, Barbara and Rabbi Chanan
Klaristenfeld of West Hills, Calif.,

Avrum and Barbara Harris of Palmdale,
Calif., Hartley and Debi Harris of West
Bloomfield, Shelle and Jack Daniels
of Agoura Hills, Calif.; grandchildren,
Daniel and Tess, Ari and Olisa, Elan
and Jessica, Joshua, Jason, Mychal
and Jason, Erin, Jeremy, Jonathan,
Eli, Rifcah and Yitzhak, Richard and
Laura, Michael and Vicky, Robert and
Winda, David, and Anthony; great-
grandchildren, Noa Miriam, Brennan,
Garrett, Brooke, Michelle, Mandi and
Keith, Melissa, Michaela, Sabra, Chaya,
Zipporah, and Nossan; great-great-
grandchild, Kylie.
He is also survived by his sister,
Rayetta Herschfus; brothers-in-law and
sisters-in-law, Morris and Rhoda Fox
of Del Ray Beach, Fla., Harry Shulman
of West Bloomfield, Sandy and Ruby
Hertzberg of Northridge, Sylvia Fox
of Oak Park; and many other loving
nieces and nephews, great-nieces and
great-nephews, other family members
and friends.
He was the son of the late Fannie
and the late Maurice Harris; the son-
in-law of the late David and the late
Sophie Fox; brother-in-law of the late
Beatrice Fox Shulman, the late Edwin
Fox, the late Dr. Leon Herschfus; uncle
of the late Dr. Raphael Herschfus and
the late Lauren Bier.
Contributions may be made to Young
Israel of Northridge Torah Fund (a fund
that Louis Harris personally started
two years ago to help raise money
for a new Torah),17511 Devonshire St.,
Northridge, CA 91325; phone (818)
368-2221. Interment was at Hebrew
Memorial Park. Arrangements by
Hebrew Memorial Chapel.1

Hulen, Dylan Hertzberg, Drew Hertzberg,
Jack Hulen; sister-in-law, Sally Flusty.
He was the beloved husband of the late
Phyllis Hertzberg; dear brother-in-law of
the late Samuel Hart.
Interment at Beth El Memorial Park.
Contributions may be made to Kids
Kicking Cancer or to a charity of one's
choice. Arrangements by Ira Kaufman
Chapel.

Obituaries on page 52C

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October 18 2007

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