I had previously pursued a career in academia, studying for a Ph.D. in history, which never took off because of the lack of jobs. Although I had a field placement at the New York UJA Federation, I had not had a “real job” in the Jewish federation field. So this interview was very important.
Mel made me feel at ease immediately, and we shared our common backgrounds as children of immigrants, although several generations removed.
I then joined his team and served as a planning and campaign associate from 1976-1979.
Mel and other MJF staff members taught me about all aspects of federation operations, including planning and allocations, fundraising, leadership development, public speaking and speechwriting.
More importantly, he taught me how a community operates; helped me understand the role of lay leadership and how professionals should work with them; and guided me to channel people’s passions for Israel and the Jewish people.
During the first several years of my tenure in Milwaukee, Mel was undergoing a difficult transition from a divorce. My wife, Gail, and I spent much time with him going to the movies, having dinner, schmoozing. Of course his life went in a new and wonderful direction when he met his beloved Eva.
Mel’s greatest professional legacy is the fact that he helped develop both lay and professional leadership, including Esther Leah Ritz in the pantheon of American Jewish communal leadership; Martin Stein, National UJA Campaign Chair; to Bruce Arbit, the current president of the United Israel Appeal.
Among professionals, I consider myself privileged to have joined the ranks of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation alumni association, which includes: Bob Aronson, who succeeded Mel before assuming the top spot at the Detroit Federation and is now president of the Steinhardt and Birthright Israel Foundations; Alan Gill, who later became the top executive at the Columbus Jewish Federation, past president of the Association of Jewish Communal Organization Professionals, and now a senior executive of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee; Sol Koenigsberg who later became the top executive of the Kansas City Federation; and numerous others.
Mel’s professional life is a testament to longevity, loyalty and vision. He led the federation for 29 years and, after retiring, continued to work in the federation building for more than 20 years. That sense of longevity seems to typify Milwaukee’s professionals, with the current executive vice president, Richard H. Meyer, already exceeding two decades at the helm.
Loyalty was an important attribute to Mel. Even after his retirement, he continued to care about colleagues, even chairing the Committee on Retirement for our professional association.
If the most fundamental definition of leadership is whether people follow you. Mel was certainly an important leader. With an inspired commitment to the Jewish community, he led many professionals and volunteers as he helped shape Milwaukee into one of the premier communities in North America.
My most sincere condolences to Eva and the rest of Mel’s family. His lifelong pursuit of philanthropy and service for the Jewish people, Israel and the Milwaukee Jewish community will be his enduring legacy.
Max L. Kleinman is the chief executive officer of the United Jewish Communities of MetroWest (New Jersey). He was a planning and campaign associate at the Milwaukee Jewish Federation from 1976-1979.
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