a Federation CEO than almost any other
Federation exec around the country. I think
he brings that thinking to his work with
national philanthropies, and he's enor-
mously respected for it."
Solomon sees Aronson positioned well
for the future.
"For the past decade or two, we've been
seeing the continued growth of private
philanthropy and the stagnation of Jewish
public philanthropy," Solomon said. "This
is no different than what's seen at Catholic
Charities USA or United Way — it's not a
Jewish phenomenon. Bob has become a
real bridge between Jewish public philan-
thropy and creative private philanthropists
who want to do exciting things."
we are on opposite sides of an issue
simply because of the position we are
speaking from. There may be disagree-
ment, but ultimately, Bob helped shape
a community where there is total, easy,
welcome interaction between the feder-
ation and the synagogue communities."
With issues like Jewish education
and Israel programming, Aronson
works hard to find a solution that
works for all, with no one excluded.
"Bob has done a masterful job
creating an incredibly unified Detroit
Jewish community;' said Gary Torgow
of Oak Park. "His vision and force of
personality have made Detroit a model
for every other community across our
country. During his tenure as CEO, Bob
elevated the cause of day school educa-
tion immensely, ensuring its position
as one of our Federation's most vital
priorities."
Building Relationships
"For me, this work is an opportunity to fall
in love with people — professionally and
personally;' Aronson said. "I establish such
fondness and love that I become part of
their lives, and they are part of mine."
Paying It Forward
Sherman puts it this way: "We're close
Aronson is grateful to many mentors in
Aronson in Israel's Central Galilee during
personal friends. We scream at each other
his life, especially the late Marty Stein
the 1999 Miracle Mission III
all the time, but there's a very strong feeling
of Milwaukee and the late Max Fisher
of mutual admiration and respect between
of Franklin. A portrait of Fisher rests on
the two of us.
Aronson's office desk.
"He's able to relate to people, no matter what their age. And I
In Milwaukee, Aronson remembers being frustrated as a young
don't think it's purely because they are prospects on fundrais-
Federation exec having to wait in line to talk to Stein.
ing. When he goes out and plays golf with Bill Berman, it's not
"He taught me no one was more important than anyone else and
because he's soliciting Bill Berman. He genuinely likes Bill, and
that everyone needed to feel important," Aronson said. "Federation
they relate to each other. He's been able to create that relationship
is not an elite organization but a community organization."
with many of the top leaders of the community."
Aronson adds that any successes he has had have been in part-
Calling from Florida, Berman said, "Bob is undoubtedly the
nership with lay leaders and professionals.
most impressive and successful fundraiser I've ever had the plea-
From Fisher, Aronson remembers one of his mentor's favorite
sure of meeting or working with. He's also a fine human being
expressions: "When you lead your troops into battle, look back
and a good friend. I suppose it's less important that he's a second- and make sure they're following you." To a military history buff
rate golfer. Lucky for all of us, we'll have him around for a few
like Aronson, this meant value the opinions of others and make
more years."
sure they are part of the
Bloomfield Hills philan-
decision-making process.
thropists Karen and William
"There was a special rela-
Davidson also are close with
tionship there Sherman
Aronson.
said. "Bob and my father
"Bob is wonderful to work
had a mutual respect and
with in that he knows instinc-
admiration between the two
tively what to have you experi-
of them. And my father was
ence and who to talk to that
a mentor.
will help you make an informed
"Bob wouldn't do anything
decision on a need or project:'
important
without checking
- Karen Davidson
Karen Davidson said. "He knows
with Dad. He felt that his
which needs are being serviced
insight and understanding
already and to what extent; he is just very, very aware. I know
of what was going on in the world, be it the organized world in the
that's his job, but he is extremely responsible in this job.
U.S. or what was going on with Israel, was very important to his
"He knows EVERBODY and is universally liked by everybody.
growth as an individual and a Jewish communal professional."
Listen, he's had the toughest job you can imagine; and he's been
Aronson says he hopes to be a mentor to others.
able to maintain a wonderful sense of humor!"
"People need mentors to become involved in community,' he
Aronson also has worked to make Federation inclusive of all
said. "The respect shown Edythe Jackier at this year's Federation/
streams of Judaism and to bridge the historic gap between local
Foundation annual meeting when [her son] Larry was honored
synagogues and Federation.
as the Butzel Award winner — now that's a mentor."
"I came here in 1971;' said Rabbi Harold Loss of Temple
Pamela Applebaum of Birmingham is very involved in her
Israel. "You met people who had clearly defined roles: active in
family's philanthropic giving in this community and beyond.
Federation, active in their congregation. During Bob's tenure, any
"My family finds Bob's advice invaluable she said. "He has
sense of any distinction between the roles that leaders play in
this community has been eliminated. There's never any sense that Future on page A20
"He's also a wonderful father, and
that's probably what he's most proud
of He has really, really wonderful,
nice, high-achieving children."
dinates quality services for Jewish
older adults and their families; a
partnership between Federation
and Jewish Family Services,
Jewish Apartments and Services,
JVS, JCC.
1998-2000 • •
Millennium Campaign for Detroit's
Jewish Future, a $60 million initia-
tive, Federation's largest fundrais-
ing effort to enrich Jewish family
experience. Included $35 million
in renovations to the D. Dan and
Betty Kahn Building of the JCC in
West Bloomfield – the Health Club,
Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Judaic
Enrichment Center/ORT/Shalom
Street.
1999 • •
Alliance for Jewish Education cre-
ated as a central resource to pro-
mote, develop and support formal
and informal Jewish education for all
ages in the community. The Jewish
Education Trust created in 2001 as a
related endowment campaign.
• Jewish Academy of Metropolitan
Detroit established.
2002:
Norma Jean and Edward Meer
Jewish Apartments. Dorothy & Peter
B. Brown Jewish Community Adult
Day Care Center.
2003:
Detroit Legacy initiative for Detroit's
Jewish Future
• Federation's first Fisher Mission to
Israel, establishing the leadership
and commitment of the next gen-
eration of philanthropic families in
Detroit.
2005 • •
The Jewish Academy Capital
Campaign, establishing a permanent
home for the Academy in the West
Bloomfield JCC. Also opened Sally
A. & Graham A. Orley and Suzanne
E. and Joseph Orley JFS Building in
West Bloomfield.
October 23 • 2008
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