Maurice Saltzman

http://ech.cwru.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=SM3

SALTZMAN, MAURICE (25 May 1918-21 Jan. 1990),

businessman, civic leader, and philanthropist in Cleveland and Israel, received the Human Relations Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews (1966) and the Charles Eisenman Award from the JEWISH COMMUNITY FEDERATION (1974).

A "zillionaire" by age 48, Saltzman, born in Cleveland, was orphaned at age 4 and lived at the Jewish Orphan Home (BELLEFAIRE) until he graduated from Cleveland Heights High School at 16. He worked in the shipping room of Lampl Fashions, Inc. for 5 years, when he and Max Reiter founded Ritmore Sportswear, which later became BOBBIE BROOKS, INC.

His philanthropy soon reflected his business success: between 1941 and 1966, he and his wife donated more than $2.5 million to institutions such as MT. SINAI MEDICAL CENTER and the University of Notre Dame. Saltzman led the dress company until 1987. He maintained a life-long relationship with Bellefaire, serving as benefactor and honorary trustee and hiring student employees.

Among many community activities, he was founder trustee for life of the CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS, vice-president of TEMPLE EMANU EL, president of both the Jewish Community Federation and Mt. Sinai Medical Center (1976-79), and a trustee of the University Circle Development Foundation, Inc. (predecessor of UNIVERSITY CIRCLE, INC. (UCI)), Brandeis University and CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY, among other institutions.

In Israel, he established a senior citizen center, a library and a museum.

Saltzman married his secretary, Shirley Rosenberg, in 1944;

they had three daughters, Lorrie Fromson, Judith Bea-Taylor, and Terry Saltzman.

Saltzman died in Palm Beach, FL.