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Jewish Community News
Obituaries: April 2006
Obit
Martin Stein
(Reprinted with permission from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
By Amy Rabideau Silvers
More than anything else, Marty Stein wanted to be remembered as a good Jewish man. “If every city in America had 10 Marty Steins, this country would be a much better place,” said former Wisconsin Governor Tommy G. Thompson.
Martin F. Stein died of cancer in his home at age 68. Stein was diagnosed
with chronic lymphocytic leukemia in 1994.
Friends and acquaintances recall him as a man with incredible charisma,
who made every person feel special—whether they were from the projects
or they were the president.
Philanthropic in dozens of causes, both Jewish and non-Jewish,
Stein supported the San Jose community—where his son Larry, daughter-in-law
Edye, and grandchildren live—by helping to expand Yavneh Day School’s
middle school program.
“I could laud my dad’s achievements forever,”
said Larry Stein, “he has raised literally billions of dollars for
charitable organizations, been directly responsible for saving thousands
of lives in Africa, and attended to countless details like visiting the
sick or mentoring kids.”
Said longtime friend Roger Fitzsimonds, “Business
is not what fires this guy's world. There's a term that I rarely use,
and it's humanitarian.”
Stein was a leader in his local Jewish community, as well as internationally.
For example, he served as chairman for United Jewish Appeal, which raised
$1.5 billion in 1986 and 1987. He took a high-profile role helping Israel
and waves of immigrants. He was national chairman of a worldwide effort
to airlift thousands of Ethiopian Jews to Israel.
In 1988, he traveled to Israel to meet with Prime Minister
Yitzhak Shamir during the controversy about changing the definition regarding
who should be considered a Jew.
Stein made the personal decision to belong to six congregations, representing various branches of Judaism, practicing his belief in the equality of all. He traveled to Israel more than 75 times during his life. Other travels included his 1991 trip to Moscow to help launch Junior
Achievement chapters for young Soviets interested in free
enterprise.
Stein was renowned for his fundraising ability. His optimism grew out
of the belief that there are “people who care about the poor and
people who don't care yet.” “You can only ask people to do
what you're willing to do yourself,” Stein said. “It happens
one person at a time,” he said.
Stein is survived by his sons Larry (Edye) and Dan (Sue), sister, Bonnie
Kammer; and grandchildren, Allison, Samantha and Jessica.
Obituary Submissions
If you have news to include in this column, please contact Donna Frankel. You can call Donna at (408) 257-3455.
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