Sunday, the 18th of Tammuz 5782, a brilliant light that shone for over a century was extinguished. Gershon ben Mordechai – Kurt Rothschild – departed from this world. Israel lost a titan. I lost a friend.

Kurt Rothschild z”l was a quiet, diminutive giant of chessed who interfaced daily with national leaders, yeshiva heads, and hospital directors. Yet he considered no one too insignificant for his friendship.

For me, he was the wise advisor par excellence. At the same time, he was like a dear uncle and confidante, the very soul of discretion.

In the summer of 2012, two years after I launched Friendship Circle in Israel (a branch of the International Friendship Circle – USA, a social organization for youth with special needs), Kurt and Edith Rothschild fulfilled their lifelong dream to make Aliyah. At that time, I was struggling to learn the ropes with our start-up NGO. I lacked the training and tools for how to share our story, generate financing, and gather the strength to flourish like other Friendship Circles around the world.

Someone suggested that we meet with Kurt Rothschild, President of the World Mizrachi movement. “Not to worry,” we were told, “just walk into his office. Mr. Rothschild can read your heart.”

It took a while to muster the courage and knock timidly on his office door at World Mizrachi headquarters. Betty, his loyal and protective secretary, asked if I had an appointment. “No, I don’t, but I would like to make one regarding the Friendship Circle of Central Jerusalem.” Across the room sat the shortest man I had ever met, with the kindest, yet most penetrating eyes, radiating the command of an army general. “Who is she?” he demanded of Betty, “I have no time for appointments today or this week.” After apologizing for coming unannounced, I said, “My name is Chanale (Chanie) Canterman. I came hoping for Mr. Rothschild’s guidance in nurturing my organization for youth with special needs. It was with them in mind that I’d forgone my English manners and knocked on your door uninvited.”

Kurt stared hard at me. It was one very long minute.

Finally, in a totally different tone, he said, “Pull up a chair – but you must shout because I don’t hear well!”

Ever since then, Kurt Rothschild became a listening ear and an open heart regarding both my community involvement and my personal concerns. And, of course, he became a pillar of the Jerusalem Friendship Circle, helping us grow from two annual programs to our current 18. We would talk at least once a month, in person or by phone.

Kurt instructed me to “send an email regarding every Friendship Circle event; I may just show up to see what you do.”

At our second meeting, Kurt reprimanded me: “Why didn’t you tell me you are also the Chabad shlicha to Talbiya/Mamilla? Google your name! That’s another huge part of your life!

“Your first name should be Chanie – Chabad shlicha. One of your programs should be the Friendship Circle. It brings honor to your Rebbe whom I so admired. And now I know that it was your Chabad chutzpah that empowered you to visit unannounced – classic Chabad chutzpah, driven by pure mission. Good,” he chuckled, “now we’re on the same page.”

Over the next decade, Betty would give me a heads-up when Mr. Rothschild would be showing up for an event – whether for Friendship Circle or Chabad.

The first event he attended – and a very unlikely choice – was a year-end girls’ volunteer salute in 2014. Yet there he was, sitting in the crowd with our then 70 volunteers, beaming as he watched a roundup video of the year’s Friendship Circle programs. As the honored guest, Kurt told the volunteers, “You just made the best investment in life, one that is guaranteed to yield dividends. Giving and being kind to those who deserve it most brings true happiness and extra doses of oxygen that promote a long, fulfilling life. I have been volunteering since I was 12 years old – and I’m still doing it at age 94 – so all of you have a way to go yet! Grab every good deed you can – they will refine this galaxy. In addition, they will serve as your greatest brownie points and advocates when you need them in the world to come.”

The next day, he called me to his office. He sat me down and said, “Never postpone goodwill. We do things NOW. Betty, please write.”

Then and there he dictated a letter to a donor whom he thought would be interested in becoming involved in Friendship Circle programs. Over the coming years, this scene would repeat itself numerous times.

Kurt was intrigued by the miraculous story of our annual Chanukah project in Mamilla – of how a planned Xmas tree turned into a giant Chanukiah with a concert and dignitaries lighting each night. In 2016, he was our guest of honor, making a Herculean effort to climb the steps in order to light the Chanukiah on Mamilla Avenue. It was a beautiful sight. Until the COVID pandemic, Kurt attended the lightings – never missing an opportunity (and a hot donut), exemplifying his credo of ‘sharing your own light and goodness with others.’

Kurt had a sweet tooth. For each chag, I would prepare one of my favorite desserts for his family. It’s the little gestures that mean the most to truly great people. The look on the faces of Kurt and Edith Rothschild when I brought over a Chanie dessert was priceless.

It is a great and rare gift when a benefactor allows you to show appreciation. When this happens, it empowers one to aspire to ever-greater accomplishments. Kurt understood that more than his delight in receiving a cake, he was giving me the gift of reciprocity.

In 2018, Friendship Circle leaders from America came to Israel to experience the trailblazing work of Israel’s superhero organizations – Aleh, Alyn, Shalva, and others. Naturally, I sent Kurt an invitation to the concluding dinner. I repeated what I wrote each time – that this was a ‘What’s News’ email as he’d requested. His presence at the event would be an honor. At 9:15pm, Mr. Rothschild appeared. I was amazed. By then, he was 97 years old.

That night, Kurt spoke from the soul. He had grasped instantly that he had an unequivocal message for leaders of special needs communities – most of them unaffiliated – from across the US. He introduced himself humbly as Kurt from World Mizrachi who helps Am Yisrael in Israel. “Every day, I am overwhelmed with gratitude that I have opportunities to help others. These are life’s treats!”

“But you,” he continued, “are doing holy work, turning impediments into opportunities. This is the secret of life. Live to make it gracious and worthwhile for others, and you will never be alone. G-d stands with those who are kind.”

“Moshe had a speech impediment; he had special needs. He pleaded with G-d not to be spokesman for the Israelites. ‘No one will listen to me,’ he cried. G-d promised to accompany him through the challenge, right to the end. Moshe then led his people through the desert to settle miraculously in the holy land. Return to your communities, continue your life-changing activities for people with disabilities, and G-d will be with you all the way.”

Pin drop. The delegates were blown away by this humble yet formidable Jewish leader.

COVID-19 was a personal blow to Kurt. For him, working from the office, fielding endless calls, was his life. Kurt felt like a prisoner. Yet he still worked feverishly on the phone and wouldn’t let his people down.

In September 2020, I brought Kurt a Friendship Circle mask along with a blueberry lemon crème brûlée, and wished him Shabbat Shalom from the elevator of his building. Kurt donned the mask and insisted on following me downstairs to talk outside in the Lev Rechavia Gardens. He began to reminisce about life, his children and grandchildren whom he adored, and about his work.

“It is no great feat,” he said, “for people to be charitable if they are affluent. But very few are truly present in their mitzvot. In mundane matters, it’s easy. We entrench ourselves in the daily doings of life. But G-d wants that in performing mitzvot, we be present just as much, ensuring the recipient feels good. It’s a challenge for me to bequeath this to others.” I looked at him, and recognized his frustration.

Kurt celebrated his 100th birthday on Chanukah as COVID was raging. He received his 8th homemade birthday cake with festive balloons and called to give us a blessing. “On the day my mazal is a superpower for the hundredth time,” he said, “I bless you with good health, nachas and success – from strength to strength.” We expressed our hope that we should celebrate his 101st birthday and more, together in person.

G-d granted our wish. My family merited to sit with Kurt and Edith in their home on his last birthday in this world. We feasted as children do, on apple-cranberry cupcakes, chocolate soufflés, vodka cake and of course – birthday cake #101. Kurt’s eyes shone. He thanked me for bringing joy to Jerusalem’s exceptional children and showered us with blessings. We thanked him for being the spirit, support and friend behind our shlichut and blessed him to live to see the geulah in good health together with Edith.

As we reached the door, Kurt made a request. “Chanale, I would like to bentch you with birkat haKohanim.” I was taken aback, and my knees shook a little as I crouched to receive the blessing, “Yevarechecha…” The sound of Kurt’s blessing still reverberates within me. I suppressed any negative thoughts as to why this year specifically, he wanted to bless me. But, of course, he knew. He knew it was soon time to pass the baton to those with whom he’d come in contact. He was sending me off to work with the most cherished Jewish words he knew. Thank you, Kurt. For everything.

The world was blessed to have a diamond that shone a brilliant light upon Am Yisrael for over a century. May his memory be a resounding “Yevarechecha” for all of Am Yisrael.

 

Chanie Canterman is the Co-Chabad Shlicha to Talbiya-Mamilla and Friendship Circle in Jerusalem.