Two just men

Our tradition teaches that each generation is blessed with at least 36 lamed vuvniks, righteous men and women. We said goodbye to two of these venerable individuals last week.

The U.S. and Detroit Jewish communities lost a formidable leader with the death on March 3 of Max Fisher, a self-made, fabulously successful Detroit businessman and philanthropist. Decade after decade, Fisher shared his wealth with his hometown and beyond. He wielded his formidable political acumen to support the state of Israel (he was the first chairman of the Jewish Agency). He enjoyed access to presidents and prime ministers.

"He was the leading Jew in North America," said a longtime friend.

The leading Jew of Greater Phoenix also died March 3. Harold Grossman, who came here from Minneapolis with his wife Jean 24 years ago, lived more quietly, but like Fisher was a leader in the best possible sense - a generous visionary, an agent of change, pushing, pulling and inspiring those who had the good fortune to serve alongside him in building our community.

The Grossmans' pacesetting financial contributions raised the level of giving to unprecedented levels. Among many important initiatives, they funded the Harold and Jean Grossman Israel Experience Fund, a scholarship program that sends Valley Jewish teens to Israel to encounter firsthand the everyday reality and eternal spirituality of the Jewish state.

At Harold's funeral, Rabbi Peter Levi of Temple Chai related a story that bears repeating: When Michelangelo was on his deathbed, a friend asked, "Michelangelo, how will Rome get along without you?" Waving toward the open window and the

city beyond, filled with his creations, the great artist replied, "Rome will never be without me."

Nor will the Phoenix Jewish community ever be without Harold, a modest, self-effacing leader who appeared more comfortable in conversation than behind the podium, but who, hand-in-hand with Jean, helped move Phoenix Jewry from a humble novice among communities to an emerging leader in national Jewish life.

Stories told by friends and family members at the funerals of these two exceptional men reveal their gentleness, kindness, affability - Max Fisher who cuddled his grandchildren, Harold Grossman who sang every day and whose smile warmed the room.

"The righteous are considered as alive even when they are dead" (Berachot 18a). Taught and inspired by Max Fisher and Harold Grossman, each of us can aspire to follow in their footsteps, to live by our actions in the manner of lamed vuvniks, and to make the world a better place.

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