Michael Greenberg

In the many years my cousin Elissa has been married to Michael I thought that I knew Michael. I was somewhat wrong. I always was aware of Michael's love of Israel, I also was aware of his military service to Israel. What I never knew was just how benevolent and philanthropic Michael was. For many who have earned financial success it's easy to be monetarily giving, however Michael was different, not just financial generosity, but as importantly Michael gave of himself. His time, his mentoring of many. His devotion to business was more than obvious. Long hours at the office, and as Elissa has told me, his enjoyment of taking the family and driving to the Minto projects he so gave his all to. Michael did nothing at half measure. My cousin shared with me the many fun filled family trips with Rachel and Elana. He was right in there the middle of it all. The fun stories that I can personally share was Michael's disinterest in personal toys/stuff, for himself. As a car enthusiast myself, I could never understand Michael's desire for understated cars. I gave him a jokingly hard time about it. Where's the Bentley, or the fancy cars? Almost at least he took a test drive as you can see below. A big smile, but no sale!! Another funny time was sitting having dinner with the family and as a watch connoisseur myself I made comment on Michael's beautiful triangular face design if I remember orange or red-faced timepiece. I was interested in the maker and the $$$'s. He laughed and told me for $30.00 I too could own this fine timepiece that he purchased at the local flea market called Festival. That was Michael to a tee when it was for himself. His way of life was that of what we a Jews call the quintessential MENSCH!

noch al miskavch beshlum yedidi

In the many years my cousin Elissa has been married to Michael I thought that I knew Michael. I was somewhat wrong. I always was aware of Michael's love of Israel, I also was aware of his military service to Israel. What I never knew was just how benevolent and philanthropic Michael was. For many who have earned financial success it's easy to be monetarily giving, however Michael was different, not just financial generosity, but as importantly Michael gave of himself. His time, his mentoring of many. His devotion to business was more than obvious. Long hours at the office, and as Elissa has told me, his enjoyment of taking the family and driving to the Minto projects he so gave his all to. Michael did nothing at half measure. My cousin shared with me the many fun filled family trips with Rachel and Elana. He was right in there the middle of it all. The fun stories that I can personally share was Michael's disinterest in personal toys/stuff, for himself. As a car enthusiast myself, I could never understand Michael's desire for understated cars. I gave him a jokingly hard time about it. Where's the Bentley, or the fancy cars? Almost at least he took a test drive as you can see below. A big smile, but no sale!! Another funny time was sitting having dinner with the family and as a watch connoisseur myself I made comment on Michael's beautiful triangular face design if I remember orange or red-faced timepiece. I was interested in the maker and the $$$'s. He laughed and told me for $30.00 I too could own this fine timepiece that he purchased at the local flea market called Festival. That was Michael to a tee when it was for himself. His way of life was that of what we a Jews call the quintessential MENSCH!

noch al miskavch beshlum yedidi

My name is also Miichael Greenberg...but my middle name is Leonard , while his was Laurence...we are not related . but I knew Michael and his parents brothers and sisters as they lived just around the corner from me and our family one street over in Ottawa..... we both went to Fisher Park High School through 5years from grades 9-13 and we both graduated with the exact same grade point average! Our friens in high school callked him Larry and I was called Len to distinguish between tgec2 Michael Greenbergs...

Also before Michael moved to Florida Michael and his Greenberg family sat behind my Greenberg family 2 rows back in our shul.....

Sad to learn of Michael's passing ...

I met Michael only a few times through my work with Minto in Canada with his brothers Roger, Alan and Robert. The family values ran deep with Michael. My heartfelt condolences . . .

MIichael Greenberg and my brother Shelly met on KIbbutz Sede Eliyahu more than 50 years ago. They became extremely close friends and stayed that way. I think I first met Michael at Shelly's wedding in NY in 1986. I distinctly remember standing in the "schmorg" line when Michael said, "This is the most delicious chopped liver I have ever eaten." I completely agreed.
As one of Shelly's closest friends, he became part of our family. I considered him my 3rd brother. Every year, Michael sent my parents (in Chicago) flowers on Rosh Hashana. I remember him visiting my parents, I don't remember the occasions, perhaps when Shelly was visiting from Israel. I do remember his infectious smile, great laugh and very amiable disposition. He was very down to earth.
I believe Michael and his wife came to my wedding in Boston more than 30 years ago. He certainly came to our youngest daughter's Bat Mitzvah 15 years ago, and we have the pictures to jog my memory. It was great to see him.
He of course came to both of my parents' funerals more than 20 years ago. Afterwards he approached us and said that he wanted to make a donation in their honor. His idea was that we would establish a fund for some purpose we would decide on. We were honored by his generosity.
After some thinking, my siblings and I decided that the best idea was to memorialize Michael and Shelly's friendship, which began when they met in Israel. So we used his donation to establish a scholarship fund through JUF to annually send someone ages 18 - 25 to visit Israel for the purposes of work, study or volunteering. Every year, we get a beautiful letter from JUF that describes the awardee, anonymously, their family background, their education, their interests and purposes for visit. This fund has continued for more than 20 years, and each year since its creation has sent a person in need to Israel.
Twice a year, on each of my parent's yarhzeits, we put an announcement about the "Joseph and Edythe Wolgel scholarship," originally established by the Otmin Foundation, in the local Jewish community bulletin. People continue to make donations to the fund. It is a great kiddush Hashem.
Michael Greenberg was more than a Tzaddik, as the Rabbi today said, he was the ultimate and perfect role model for what it means to be a Jew. It is a great bracha to have known him. May his memory be only for a blessing. Sandy Wolgel

Although I did not know MIchael, I certainly remember my father talking about Michael and his volunteer service with the IDF. Wishing many wonderful memories of Michael to support the family in the future. Beverley (Taller) Zaifman