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FRIENDS OF THE IDF
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Robert Aronson, then Federation executive vice president, with philanthropists
Max Fisher and A. Alfred Taubman
FRIENDS OF THE IDF
LEADERSHIP
MISSION TO ISRAEL
NOVEMBER 13-20, 2015
MISSION CHAIR RABBI PETER WEINTRAUB
THEIR JOB IS T
FTER
OURS IS- TO LOOK AFTER T
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Join FIDF for our National Leadership Mission,
a unique trip to Israel that brings together our
leaders, guides, and spearheads, and provides
the tools needed to truly tell the story of our
organization and the people we support. From
base visits to meetings with key Israeli leaders,
let us take you on a journey of the solidarity,
strength, and resilience of our country, our
people, and our soldiers.
For more information and registration please contact
Paula Lebowitz @ 248.926.4110 or paula.lebowitz@fidf.org
16 April 23 • 2015
JIM
An Extraordinary Life
Taubman remembered for his
involvement that helped bring
social change and shape the future.
Robert Aronson
Special to the Jewish News
F
or many years to come,
much will be said, written
and remembered about the
extraordinary life and legacy of Alfred
Taubman.
My purpose here is to write about
the Alfred Taubman I knew. I met him
on my first day on the job as executive
vice president of the Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit. It was at the
Fisher major gifts meeting at Max's
home in 1989. Max introduced me to
Alfred.
I remember feeling overwhelmed
because, of course, I knew who he was.
From that day forward, Alfred treated
me with kindness and respect. He
always took my calls, and always agreed
to see me.
In our personal conversations, we
talked often about Alfred's view of the
world and his charities in particular. It
is impossible to separate Alfred the pri-
vate person from the causes he believed
in. He did not give for recognition; he
gave in order to create social change.
He never hesitated to put millions of
dollars into those institutions that could
accomplish it. And he always encour-
aged others to join him.
It is a lesson other philanthropists
should learn from. He did not stop at
giving. He remained involved and helped
shape the future. He not only gave mil-
lions to neurological research at the
University of Michigan; he created and
funded a statewide movement to legalize
embryonic stem cell research. Against
great opposition, the resolution won. It
was a very proud moment for him.
Alfred believed in impact giving.
Wherever he became involved, people
followed. His name was magic and will
continue to be so.
He put his vast energy, resources
and passion into the causes he loved:
architecture, the arts — particularly the
Detroit Institute of Arts and the College
for Creative Studies — the symphony,
the State of Israel and, perhaps above
all, education and healthcare.
Alfred has left a gigantic footprint at
the University of Michigan and many
other institutions of higher education,
including Lawrence Technological
University and Harvard.
And, of course, there's was always
the city of Detroit, where he played the
lead role for many years as an inves-
tor, a major donor and a community
leader.
If the Taubman name was on it,
there was instant credibility. He knew
this, and picked his involvement care-
fully to ensure success.
I treasured my personal time with
Alfred. I was always a little intimidated
before I saw him, but always thrilled
to be with him. He loved to tell stories
with his wry and humbling sense of
humor.
Alfred often talked about his child-
hood in Pontiac, where he went to
Temple Beth Jacob. The rabbi there
was named Elmer Berger, and he was
president of the American Council
for Judaism. This was an organization
that opposed the creation of the State
of Israel on the grounds that it was
unpatriotic:'
Luckily for all of us, Alfred didn't
pay any attention.
He spoke with me often about his
pride in his family and their great
accomplishments. He wanted them to
follow in his footsteps, as I know they
will.
For the many that knew or were
touched by Alfred, his passing is both
incomprehensible and overwhelming.
He was a greater-than-life figure, both
in this life and deeds.
It has been my privilege and honor to
know this great man for 25 years. His
memory and his legacy will be with us
for generations. And for me personally,
he will be with me forever.
"
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