Tuesday, December 28, 2010


Sheloshim Service in memory of Martin S. Kraar
Thursday, December 23, 2010
LAST UPDATED: THURSDAY DECEMBER 23, 2010, 1:24 AM
TEANECK SUBURBANITE
"A Celebration of Life" Sheloshim Service in memory of Jewish Center member Martin S. Kraar was held Dec. 2, at the Jewish Center of Teaneck.
Prof. Daniel Zajfman, president of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel, speaking about Marty Kraar's work at the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL LAVES
Prof. Daniel Zajfman, president of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel, speaking about Marty Kraar's work at the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science.
Rabbi Lawrence Zierler of the Jewish Center, said, "We gathered on the first day of Hanukkah which marks the conclusion of the sheloshim - 30 day period since his death, to recognize and celebrate his life of service and commitment to the needs of our community."
Several dignitaries and close friends spoke during the Sheloshim Service in memory of Kraar. Among them were Prof. Daniel Zajfman, president of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel; Larry Blumberg, Chairman of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science; Harold Adler, Chief Operating Officer, American Committee, and Rabbi Lawrence S. Zierler, Jewish Center of Teaneck.
Kraar achieved renown and distinction not only as a Jewish communal executive but as a mentor and friend to colleagues across the generations and globe.
He served for 10 years as the Executive Vice President of the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science; and before his appointment with ACWIS, another decade as Executive Vice President of the Council of Jewish Federations, the precursor to what is now the Jewish Federations of North America.
Kraar also held the lead executive position with the Jewish Federations of Detroit, St. Louis, and Nashville. From 1984-86, he was the first Director General of the Council of Jewish Federations Israel Office.
He also served as an instructor and trainer for various Jewish Federations, national Jewish agencies, and other organizations on such topics as leadership development, facilitation training, board-staff relationships, and non-profit management.
Rabbi Zierler said, "His untimely passing denies our Jewish world of a faithful friend and talented leader who taught and led by example and represented the highest ideals of Jewish communal service and concern for the needs of Klal Yisrael."