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| Morrie at my son Meyer's Bar Mitzvah in 1983 |
It was during that visit that Morrie told me what had happened to him recenlty. A Meshulach came into his office and instead of asking for money, he asked for a Bracha. Taken aback by this request, Morrie told him that he does not give out Brachos.
But the Meshulach insisted and explained why. When he was in Israel by Rav Shach asking him for a Bracha, Rav Shach answered him the same way - he does not give out Brachos. Then he added that if he really wants a Bracha he should go to Chicago and seek out a fellow by the name of Esformes and ask him for a Bracha.
Morrie was shocked by what this Meshulach told him. But he gave him a Bracha. That should tell you a little bit about what the Gedolei Hador of that generation thought of him
Morris I. Esformes (Morrie - as his friends called him) passed away yesterday at age 76. He was giant of a man. Larger than life. I consider myself privileged to have called him a friend.
We had known each other for over 60 years. I first met him at age 15 as a junior in high school after I transferred to Skokie Yeshiva (HTC) from Telshe - Cleveland. He was not yet a multi millionaire or world renowned philanthropist. He was just ‘Morrie’ – a popular Yeshiva high school student who was one of the coolest guys in the Yeshiva.
After graduating high school (Class of 64) he was one of the few Yeshiva students at the time that went to study in Israel for a year. He chose at KBY (Kerem B’Yavneh) a school that later became one of the many recipients of his generosity.
Upon his return he studied another four years under Rav Ahron Soloveichik at HTC and received Semicha from him. 2 years before I did. (Although we were the same age and both gradated high school in 1964 he was 2 years ahead of me in Limudei Kodesh.)
After a short stint working in the fledgling nursing home industry, he chose a career in Chinuch – becoming vice principal of Arie Crown Hebrew Day School.
Shortly after that he returned to the nursing home industry and bought his fist nursing home. A home that was losing money at the time. That did not last long. Based on circumstances that are beyond the scope of this tribute, that home quickly turned around and started making a lot of money. Which he kept investing in new nursing home purchases until - at one time - owning (or being partners in) 42 homes all at the same time.
Needless to say, he became quite wealthy. That enabled him to invest in other business ventures - most of which were very successful. Long story short he became a multi millionaire very quickly.
The story does not end there. He used a lot of that wealth in service to God and the Jewish community of Chicago. I was privileged to work with him as a member of the Arie Crown board of directors and executive committee.
Morrie ‘taught’ Chicago’s Orthodox Jewish philanthropists how to give money. He set the standard by example. If one takes a tour of Jewish Chicago, they will see his name on almost every single Orthodox Jewish institution. From the Modern Orthodox coed Ida Crown Jewish Academy to Telshe Yeshiva.
His generosity did not stop there. It wasn’t only about his massive financial contributions which eventually spread beyond the borders of Chicago (although it was certainly that). There was one institution that he brought to Chicago and supported that changed the face of Orthodoxy in our city: The Chicago Community Kollel.
It was upon the urging of his brother in law that Morrie expended great effort (both time and money) in bringing this wonderful Kollel to Chicago. Despite opposition from many quarters including Telshe. All of them objecting because they were struggling to survive and running deficits. Fearing an additional drain on their financial resources
Morrie was undeterred. He brought in that Kollel anyway – realizing that ‘inreach’ was sorely lacking in Chicago. Together with Lakewood Rosh Yeshiva, R’ Shneur Kotler and Torah VoDaath Rosh Yeshiva, R’ Yaakov Kaminetzky - that Kollel became a reality that has been impacting Chicago in major ways ever since.
Morrie personally guaranteed all the salaries (2 Roshei Kollel and 10 Avreichim) for the entire first year. Chicago has never been the same. In short, there has been an explosion of Baalei Battim (Jews that worked for a living) learning Torah regularly in the Kollel and other locations ever since. All because of the Kollel’s positive influence among all segments of Chicago’s Orthodox Jewish population.
Morrie has a share in all of that!
How did he do it? A condition for his supporting the Kollel was that the 2 Roshei Kollel and 10 Avreichim would have to be Lakewood’s cream of the crop. Both in Torah knowledge and personality.
That happened. The founding Avreichim were all superstars that enticed people into the world of the Kollel. Many of those Avreichim (and later Avreichim) have stayed on beyond their 2 year stint in the Kollel. Serving Chicago’s Jewish community with distinction in a variety of ways.
But money was not the only thing Morrie was all about. His many acts of private kindness is a huge part of his legacy, too. To cite a personal experience, a young girl my wife Annie and I knew whose father had passed away years before applied to a seminary in Israel and was rejected. Her mother could only afford to apply to one seminary.
My wife approached Morrie to see if he had any influence on the head of that seminary who was very strict about who he accepted and who he wouldn’t. He had a reputation for not budging after a decision was made. Morrie agreed to use his considerable influence as a major donor to the school to get her accepted. Long story short - he succeeded. That young girl did quite well there.
There are so many stories… far too many to mention. Upon hearing of his Petria (death) yesterday my brain was flooded with memories. Many of which involve the years our families spent together in Florida during winter vacation in the 80s. Our daughters became close friends at the time. In fact many of those memories have been recorded in the pictures and videos I took back then.
Morrie was a Modern Orthodox Jew who loved life. He loved his family and he loved his people – the Jewish people. He lived well – albeit modestly relative to his great wealth, but did not have an easy life.. Without going into detail, he suffered a great deal in a number of ways.
Nonetheless he dedicated his whole life and so much of his money in supporting Orthodox Jewish causes and institutions all over the world regardless of their Hashkafa. (I recall one case where a Chabad Shaliach livng in a remote location in Alaska wanted to build a Mikva for his community there. Morrie donated the money to have one built.)
Morrie Esformes was unique. One of a kind. He did it his way. And he will be sorely missed by all he helped and by all who knew him. May his memory be a blessing.
