Max Fisher
Max Fisher | |
---|---|
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
Died | March 3, 2005 Franklin, Michigan, U.S. | (aged 96)
Occupation | Businessman |
Spouses |
|
Children | 5, including Mary |
Relatives | Stephen M. Ross (nephew) |
Website | Archives |
Max Martin Fisher (July 15, 1908 – March 3, 2005) was an American
Life and career
Fisher was born in
Following the sale of Aurora to
For decades Fisher also served as a trusted advisor to U.S. presidents and Israeli prime ministers, rallying for causes from the Six-Day War to Ethiopian Jewry. By quietly forging new ties between Washington and Jerusalem, he pioneered a new era in American Jewish activism and politics and was considered the elder statesman of North American Jewry. Jimmy Carter invited him to watch the signing of the Camp David Accords in 1977.[3]
He was a delegate from Michigan at the 1964, 1968, and 1976 Republican National Conventions, and an alternate in the 1988 Republican National Convention.[6]
Philanthropic activities
In
He also leveraged around $20 million to finance
Fisher served as national chairman of UJC's predecessor organizations, the
In addition to being honorary chair of UJC, he was founding chairman of the board of governors of UJC's overseas partner, the
Personal life and family
Fisher was married twice:[8][9]
In 1934, he married Sylvia Krell who died in 1952. They had one child:
- Jane Fisher ShermanUnited Israel Appeal, Inc. (UIA) and former co-chair of the Jewish Agency for Israel Committee on Israel.[10]
In 1953, he married Marjorie Faith Switow. They had two children together:
Switow also had two children from her prior husband, George Allen Frehling, whom Fisher adopted:
- Philip William Fisher[8][9] - In 2009, he founded the charity Mission Throttle whose purpose is "to develop business tools and to brainstorm ways of creating systematic and positive change to speed the pace of assistance to underserved populations."[11]
Fisher has 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
He died March 3, 2005, at about 11:30 am in his home in Franklin, Michigan, surrounded by family and is interred at the Clover Hill Park Cemetery in Birmingham, Michigan.[6][12]
Fisher financed the schooling of his nephew Stephen M. Ross,[13] who called him, "the most important role model and inspiration for me in life".[14]
Wealth
In 2004, Max Fisher had amassed a net worth of $775 million. At 96, he was the oldest member of the Forbes 400.[citation needed]
Legacy
Historical documents
Max Fisher's papers are available for public research at the Walter P. Reuther Library in Detroit, Michigan. The library's website explains that, "This large collection documents Fisher's life and career as a successful Detroit industrialist and investor, influential Republican Party fundraiser and power broker, Jewish community leader, and major philanthropist. It includes correspondence, documents, speeches, interviews, photographs and other media, and documents from his biographer."[15]
B'nai B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO) Involvement
In March 2006, a male chapter of BBYO was founded by 12 young men from the state of Michigan with the name of Max Fisher AZA (AZA standing for Aleph Zadik Aleph, the male sector of the organization). Following the foundation, the chapter was officially recognized by the Fisher Foundation in early April. The chapter's charter number is #337. Since Fisher's charter in 2006, the chapter has flourished at the chapter, regional, and international level. Four times has a member from Fisher AZA served as the President for all of Michigan Region BBYO; even though the chapter has only been around for 10 years, an International President has already hailed from Fisher. Fishermen always set the standard for how to behave in BBYO; in fact, they have won the Sportsmanship award at Michigan Region's Regional Convention many times since its founding. Each year several members represent Michigan Region by attending BBYO's International Convention in February, and by attending countless summer programs around the globe each summer, many of which focus on building leadership skills. Fisher has won several awards, including the Henry Monsky award which recognizes the most outstanding chapters across the International Order. On a more local level, each year several Fishermen apply for individual awards including the Bronze and Silver Stars of David (recognizing outstanding participation) and the Tree of Life Award (recognizes those individuals who bring more members into the order via recruiting). Additional awards are available for those who excel in community service as well. Recently, Fisher has received publicity for starting a Platform Database which hosts several hundred platforms of individuals' candidacy for office from around the world. The platforms range from the chapter level, to the regional and international levels as well.[16]
Telegraph Road
On November 30, 2005,
References
- ^ a b c "Max Fisher, 96, Philanthropist and Adviser to Presidents, Dies", New York Times, March 4-2005.
- ^ Makio. Columbus: The Ohio State University. 1929. p. 211.
- ^ a b "Max Fisher: Giant of philanthropy". Jewish Historical Society of Michigan. West Bloomfield Township, Michigan. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
- ^ a b "Max Fisher: A lifetime of power and passion", Detroit News, March 4-2005.[dead link]
- ^ "Quiet Diplomat: A Biography of Max M. Fisher (Hardcover)", Amazon.com, June-1992.
- ^ a b Kestenbaum, Lawrence (August 19, 2019). "Jewish Politicians in Pennsylvania (religion or ancestry)". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
- ^ "The Max Rocks", Metro Times, December 3-2003. Archived November 13, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c d e f New York Times: "Max Fisher, 96, Philanthropist and Adviser to Presidents, Dies" By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS March 4, 2005
- ^ a b c d e f Detroit Free Press: "Max Fisher, Detroit benefactor, dies at 96" BY BILL MCGRAW March 4, 2005
- ^ Crain's Detroit Business: "Carrying on Max's vision: Fishers continue legacy of giving" By Sherri Welch March 14, 2010
- ^ Detroit Jewish News: "Phillip Fisher's Mission Throttle is breaking new ground in the world of giving" May 31, 2012
- ^ "Max Fisher: A lifetime of power and passion", Detroit News, March 4-2005. [dead link]
- ^ Murray, Tom (June 4, 2015). "Family Ties: Stephen M. Ross parlayed two family loans into a multibillion-dollar enterprise". dbusiness. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
- ^ "Ross' connections with Michigan". michiganross. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
- ^ Ergas, Aimee. "Collections Spotlight: Max M. Fisher Papers". Walter P. Reuther Library. Wayne State University. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
- ^ "Changing teens lives every day". Changing teens lives every day. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
- Pub. L.109–115 (text) (PDF).
- OCLC 15217724.