Max
M. Fisher (1908-2005)
The son of Russian immigrants, Max Fisher grew up in a small town in
Ohio, and attended Ohio State University. Through decades of an outstandingly
successful business career, Fisher also worked energetically on behalf
of public causes. He played a leading role in the Republican Party and
served as advisor to four U.S. presidents. Listed as the oldest member
of Forbes 400, Fisher originally made his wealth in the oil
business and real estate, to become a leading industrialist in Detroit.
He championed the economic revitalization of his adopted home city,
and actively supported numerous charities and civic organizations.
Mr. Fisher played a leading role in almost every major Jewish community
organization, including the American Jewish Committee, B'nai B'rith International,
the Council of Jewish Federations, HIAS, United Israel Appeal, the Jewish
Agency for Israel, and United Jewish Appeal. Max Fisher was the founding
chairman of the Jewish Agency`s Board of Governors and received numerous
awards for his dedication to public service in Israel and the Diaspora.
Max Fisher led across the board, making the impossible happen, both as
a Jewish and a public figure. He was instrumental in pushing through the
airlift of U.S. arms to Israel, during the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the country's
lifeline to survival.
Sallai Meridor, Chairman of the Jewish Agency Executive, said at the
funeral,
"Today, we have lost the greatest Jewish leader in the Diaspora
since the foundation of the State of Israel. Max Fisher established the
new Jewish Agency for Israel and was the most prominent leadership figure
in mobilizing identification with and support for the State of Israel
in world Jewry, and the United States, in particular.
"He was the prime mover in canvassing support for Israel during
the wars of '67 and '73 and he played the decisive role in placing
Aliyah at the top of the agenda, following the opening of the gates from
the USSR. Through his endeavours, one million Jews came to Israel from
the USSR, rather than going elsewhere. Among his many and diverse activities
in the Jewish world and Israel, he was also involved in Aliyah from many
countries, in different periods: from the Aliyot from the Arab world in
the 1950s, to Operations Moses and Solomon. He also headed of the
Jewish Agency's campaign for rehabilitation of Israel's underprivileged
neighbourhoods, at the behest of the late Prime Minister, Menachem
Begin.
"His family follows in the footsteps of his great Zionist heritage
and his daughter, Jane Sherman, is an eminently active member of the Jewish
Agency's Board of Governors, a generous donor, and heads the United Israel
Appeal today."
Max Fisher was born in Pittsburgh on July 15th 1908. He died in
his home on Thursday, March 3rd in Detroit at 96. May his memory
be blessed.
Sources reproduced with permission:
http://www.jafi.org.il/press/2005/march/march04.htm ; Jewish
Agency bulletin 5th March 2005 (Hebrew);
More information
http://www.jta.org/page_view_story.asp?strwebhead=%91Dean%92+of+
Jewish+life+dies&intcategoryid=4&SearchOptimize=Jewish+News
Fisher College of Business, Ohio State University
http://fisher.osu.edu/about/the-max-fisher-story
Detroit News, well researched perspectives on Fisher
http://www.detnews.com/2005/obituaries/0503/05/A01-107691.htm
Free Press, Three perspectives with an international flavour
http://www.freep.com/news/obituaries/fpols4e_20050304.htm
In depth article from 2003
http://www.freep.com/news/locway/max2_20031002.htm
Palm Beach, Detailed biography/obituary
http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/content/news/fisherobit0304.html;
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