obituaries »
A Caring Leader
Harvey attended the University of Michigan,
where he received both his bachelor’s (1947)
arvey L. Weisberg was a suc-
and law degrees (1950). It was there, in a
cessful supermarket executive, a
Spanish class, that he met his soul mate and
dedicated community leader and wife of 56 years, Lucille.
a tireless advocate for peace. Mr. Weisberg,
She had the qualities he was seeking:
who lived in Bloomfield Hills, died on June
brains, beauty, impressive social skills, an
24, 2016. He was 91.
interest in culture and politics,
For more than 40 years,
and strong family values. It was
Harvey served ultimately as
a marriage of true friends who
vice chairman of the popular
balanced each other perfectly.
Chatham supermarket chain,
Together they raised a family and
which he co-founded along with
shared their mutual passions for
his father and brothers. Under
dancing, music and world travel
their leadership, the enterprise
— visiting Israel seven times as
grew to include 45 markets and
well as many other locales such as
nine Warehouse Way drug-
Singapore, Australia, Turkey and
stores.
Brazil to name a few.
Throughout his career,
Son Barry Weisberg said, “My
Harvey was loved and respected Harvey Weisberg
father left us a legacy of cherished
by his employees and colleagues
values that included love of family
for his kindness, fairness and
and friends, the importance of a
willingness to listen to everyone,
strong Jewish identity, connection to Israel
regardless of position or social status.
and synagogue, giving back to the com-
According to Rabbi Aaron Starr of
munity and treating all people with dignity
Congregation Shaarey Zedek, who offici-
and respect. His unconditional love for his
ated at the funeral service along with Rabbi
children and our beloved mother, Lucille,
Joseph Krakoff, Harvey was “an incredible
gave us a wonderful foundation from which
leader of the Jewish people,” a man who
to lead our own lives.”
truly cared about his synagogue, his family
Harvey passed on his love for exploring
and his community. He held leadership posi- Jewish communities around the globe to
tions with the Jewish National Fund, Israel’s
his granddaughter Jenny, who admired her
national emergency service Magen David
grandfather’s strong character, his philan-
Adom, Israel Bonds, the Anti-Defamation
thropy and his belief that everyone should be
League, the broadcast division of the Jewish
treated equally, from the person who swept
Community Council, Associated Food
the synagogue floor to the senior rabbi.
Dealers of Michigan, Hillel Day School, B’nai
His ready smile reflected the pride and
B’rith and the Jewish Theological Society.
joy he took in his family, and he loved to be
An energetic peacemaker who believed
playful, telling jokes and performing magic
in bringing people together, he was a
tricks.
founder of the Ecumenical Institute for
“He was my role model,” said his grandson
Jewish-Christian Studies (which became
Josh, who spoke at the funeral service. “He
the Michigan Institute for Jewish-Christian
did things the right way and taught others
Relations) where he helped educate
how to do things the right way … with end-
Christian leaders about Israel and Judaism.
less mitzvot and tzedakah.”
He was also a founder of the American Arab
Harvey honed his leadership skills at a
and Jewish Friends, where he helped to
young age, holding Kohen Gadol positions
bridge gaps between Jews and Muslims in
in the AZA youth group in the early 1940s
Metro Detroit.
and serving as president of the student
While he never sought recognition for his council at the University of Michigan.
unflagging service and outstanding generos- As a youth, he learned from his father,
ity, he received many accolades, including
Peter, how to lead services at his family’s
the State of Israel City of Peace Award for
synagogue, Congregation Shaarey Zedek,
his involvement with Israel Bonds. In 2010,
where he became president of the Junior
he received the “Eight over Eighty” Tikkun
Congregation. His involvement culminated
Olam Award for the years of service he gave
in a successful term as president of the
to the community through his dynamic
growing congregation, where, among other
work with so many groups and organizations. accomplishments, he helped significantly
“Harvey had an innate ability to uplift
expand the role of women in the synagogue.
people with his sincerity and kindness … he
Harvey found his greatest fulfillment in
found good in everyone,” said Rabbi Krakoff. his family, and Shabbat dinners were the
highlight of the week. He taught his sons by
STRONG FAMILY TIES
example, showing them how to stand up for
Above all, Harvey was a devoted husband,
their beliefs while incorporating compassion
father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
into every decision. He loved his children’s
After serving as a lieutenant in the Navy,
spouses, Audrey, David and Deena, like his
Ronelle Grier | Contributing Writer
H
44 July 7 • 2016
Obituaries
own children. Ever the businessman, he
made sure every family vacation included at
least one stop at a local supermarket, to get
new ideas and see how things were done in
other parts of the country and the world.
WISDOM, COMPASSION
“My dad, Harvey, had simultaneous deep
and well-balanced commitments to his
family, to the Detroit area as well as to the
international Jewish and world communi-
ties,” said his son Dan. “He was wise and
compassionate and caring. He was always
available when a problem arose and lent a
sympathetic and insightful ear second to
none.”
Harvey enjoyed playing the coronet, a
talent he developed to counteract the effects
of a bout of childhood pneumonia. He
loved reading, chess, Star Trek, James Bond
movies and remained a steadfast Michigan
Wolverines fan always.
He believed in keeping an open mind in
business and personal matters and was fasci-
nated with other peoples and cultures. Well-
organized and meticulous, with the help of
his longtime executive assistant Dorothy
Emig Kihn, he always found a way to help
when a family member, friend or organiza-
tion needed his help — and he inspired oth-
ers to follow his example.
Harvey Weisberg is survived by his sons
and their spouses, Cantor Roger and Audrey
Weisberg, Daniel Weisberg and husband
David Klingenberger, Barry and Deena
Weisberg; grandchildren, Joshua and Erin
Weisberg, Heather and Todd Eisner, Jennifer
Weisberg and Yoni Weisberg; great-grand-
children, Lucille Rose Weisberg, Eli Isaac
Weisberg and Owen Bradley Eisner; sister,
Helen Weisberg; brothers and sisters-in-law,
Alvin and Henrietta Weisberg, Harold and
Marion Weisberg; many nieces and neph-
ews.
Mr. Weisberg was the beloved husband
of the late Lucille Weisberg; the cherished
father of the late Jeffrey L. Weisberg; the
devoted son of the late Peter and the late
Clara Weisberg; the dear brother of the late
Bernard Weisberg, and the late Selma and
the late George Feinberg.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be made
to the Alzheimer’s Association-Greater
Michigan Chapter, 25200 Telegraph Road,
Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48033, www.alz.
org, (248) 351-0280; Hospice of Michigan,
400 Mack Ave., Detroit, MI 48201, www.
hom.org, (888) 247-5701; Anti-Defamation
League, 120 LaSalle St., Suite 1150, Chicago,
IL 60603, www.adl.org; or Congregation
Shaarey Zedek, the Jeffrey L. Weisberg
Memorial Fund, 27375 Bell Road,
Southfield, MI 48034, www.shaareyzedek.
org, (248) 357-5544. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel.
*
DANIEL BARG, 56, of Ramat Beit
Shemesh, Israel, died suddenly June
20, 2016.
Daniel had an enticing smile,
endearing laugh and boundless opti-
mism. He was a professional chef.
He felt compelled to help others in
any way he could, frequently tak-
ing over the kitchens of his closest
friends when he visited them. He
was noted for his delicious recipes
and unflappable ability to produce
wonderful meals for crowds, large
and small.
He was the devoted husband
of Esther; adoring father of Shira
Gittel; cherished son of Estelle and
the late Allen Barg; dear brother of
Diane (Steven) Budaj, and David
(Elaine Zacks); loving uncle of Evan
Budaj and Michael Barg. He is also
survived by his mother-in-law, Susan
Sachs; sisters-in-law, Elka (Seth)
Kosowsky, Brocha Sachs, Rivka
(Michael) Benjamin; brother-in-law,
Ephraim (Nofar) Sachs; and a world
of friends.
Interment took place in Israel,
Contributions may be made to L’iluy
Nishmat Daniel Barg at gofundme.
com/Zadqufeb. This announcement
was placed at the request of the fam-
ily by Hebrew Memorial Chapel.
ALBERT J.
BURKE, 94, of
West Bloomfield,
died June 29, 2016.
He is survived by
his daughters and
son-in-law, Wendy
Rollin, Catherine
Burke
(Irwin Krinsky)
Rollin; grandchil-
dren, Benjamin
(Chau) Grier, Andrew Grier (fiancée,
Tammy Deem), Summer Krinsky;
great-grandchildren, Stephen and
Anna Grier; nieces, nephews, friends
and colleagues; his devoted care-
giver, Theresa Gist; from Mr. Burke’s
lifetime of teaching, a multitude of
students who all remember him with
great respect and affection.
Mr. Burke was the beloved hus-
band of the late Vera Rollin Burke
and the late Estelle Burke.
Interment was at Clover Hill
Park Cemetery. Contributions
may be made to Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit, Trees
for Israel-Jewish National Fund
or a charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.