Honor the life and accomplishments of the St. Louis Jewish community's beloved community patriarch, Isadore E. Millstone. Share your thoughts, memories and stories here in our Tribute Blog. note: all comments are reviewed before public posting
Monday, May 18, 2009
Millstone Memory Book Blog
Honor the life and accomplishments of the St. Louis Jewish community's beloved community patriarch, Isadore E. Millstone. Share your thoughts, memories and stories here in our Tribute Blog. 
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Everyone in our Jewish community owes a debt of gratitude to I.E. Millstone, a wonderful man who led a humble, incredible and youthful life. His generosity and passion for helping others continues to inspire us all. Thank you, Mr. Millstone!
ReplyDeleteI.E. Millstone will forever serve as an example of how an individual's passion and dreams can be fulfilled through generous philanthropy and caring for others.
ReplyDeleteI had the pleasure of meeting and working with I.E. Millstone, and couldn't believe this turn of events. He has contributed greatly to many projects in St. Louis that will be remembered throughout the state for his generousity, his caring and his philanthropy. He was a better friend of my father, who worked even closer with him. A true gentleman and an asset to this community.
ReplyDeleteI heard a cute story - a week or so before the opening of the new JCC building, an elderly man was spotted walking around in the building.He was approached and told that no one was allowed to be doing that. Of course, it was Mr. Millstone - and of course - he was then invited to continue his 'tour'. I have such a wonderful remembrance of hearing him speak so strongly and proudly at the opening, and am happy to have that vision of him in my memory.
ReplyDeleteA little over a year ago...I had the privilge of hearing him speak at a "Shaving Israel" program (this organization does fund-raising to help IDF soldiers)....and as always...he stood and spoke for over a half hour without notes and gave us a fascinating history of the beginnings of Israel that few of us had ever known! His legacy is so much more than what he donated and what he built-
ReplyDeletehis legacy is that he is the example of what each of us should aspire to be ...he will never be forgotten by this community or any other community or by anyone whoever had the privilge of hearing him or meeting him or been touched by him thru his friendship or his numerous projects! May all of our wonderful memories bring us comfort!
As part of the commemorations of Israel's 50th, JCRC was producing a video that focused on St. Louis Jewish community leadership's role in the founding of the State of Israel.
ReplyDeleteMr. Millstone played a central role in that endeavor, and I tried to set up a time for filming. I tried and tried, and didn't succeed.
I eventually found out that while Mr. Millstone would be happy to talk about that period, he just didn't want to be filmed.
And, so I had the rare privilege, over several meetings, of listening to the inspiring story of Mr. Millstone and his incredible role as a consultant called in to figure out how to provide housing in the fledgling state of Israel for the refugees that were flooding in.
"We have no lumber" he recounted the Israelis as saying, "how will we build enough houses". Mr. Millstone's response: "you have sand, lots of sand. You will make concrete".
I have an indelible memory of those hours in Mr. Millstone's office off of Eager Road. It is rare that one can hear history from one who has made it.
I meet with Mr. Millstone some years ago at a meeting at Jewish Hospital. At that time he was a young man of 96. I was amazed at how he had such a great command of what was going on with all the new development in our downtown. He said that he felt that these developers would soon face financial problems. He was predicting what has occured in the last few years. He will always be missed, because leaders like him only come along once every hundred years.
ReplyDeleteMy mother had the pleasure to work with Mr. Millstone many years ago, she is now in her late 70's so I write this for her to express her deep sympathy for the loss. She respected and admired his compassion, his honor and his talents. What a loss to the community.
ReplyDeleteI knew him and he was a great human being. He had a trade school for African Americans in the 40's and his company hired many of the graduates. Not to mention all of the charities he gave to generously, too many to list.
ReplyDeleteHe was a terrific athelete and a world class diver. I can't help but think this was a beautiful and gracefull last swan dive for him.
I don't consider this a loss. He went out on his own terms after an extremely full life that would have left any one of us in the dust!
Ken Weintraub said..
ReplyDeleteThe greatest reward of serving in a local leadership capacity was having access to Mr. Millstone, in both private and public settings...The greatest pleasure were those private lunches at the "Back Door" of the St Louis Club, where I could learn about his impact on our community, and receive his encouragement about the future and its possiblities..He was a "going forward visionary", who by his words and deeds, lent all of us inspiration and hope.The most extraordinary role model who any of us will ever know.
My parents had the good fortune to be his friends. I have always admired him not only for his generosity, but for his spirit and joy of life. It always amazed me that I could go a year or more without seeing him, but he'd always know exactly who I was. We had nice moments talking together about my folks, my aunt and uncle. He was a wonderful person. I will miss him.
ReplyDeleteWhen the definition of greatness is needed, two simple words will suffice...Isadore Millstone. This man has touched so many and taught us all the lessons of leadership, philanthropy, and compassion. We have benefitted beyond words from Mr. Millstone's vision and unfailing clarity of thought. The St. Louis community and the Jewish world are forever better for his impact.
ReplyDeletehe is nothing short of inspirational in so many ways. It is so rewarding that we have recognized this great man and he continues to inspire us, even after his passing. G'd bless Mr. Millstone..
ReplyDeleteAs a younger member of the Jewish community, I am inspired by Mr. Millstone's stories and greatness. I am also very sad that our people have lost someone as kind and compassionate. I would have liked to have gotten to know all of the historic and intimate details about his impact on life here and in Israel. He is a role model to all. G-d bless him and his memory.
ReplyDeleteApproximately three years ago,my oldest son died in a single car accident . Mr. Millstone tried to attend the funeral service ,but could not get in to the synagogue along with many other visitors as the building was packed full of mourners. Mr. Millstone instead wrote a note to our family and my father ,not once ,but twice,to be sure we received his sympathetic words.In his typewritten note, he wrote"I,nor anyone else,can justify the terrible things that occur in this world-somehow our lives go on after such hard blows and eventually our grief is replaced with fond memories of beautiful.promising young people such as your son".
ReplyDeleteAbout a year ago, I saw Mr. Millstone again and his memory was as sharp as ever and he once again expressed his condolences to me this time in person.
May our grief also be replaced with fond memories of Mr. Millstone.
As the architect for United Hebrew's "new" sanctuary, I was privileged to work with Izzy during the planning and design phases. At a critical juncture in the design work, the Building & Grounds Committee was faced with a difficult task: reduce the size and quality of the proposed new sanctuary or increase the budget. At the meeting where the decision was to be made, Izzy listened respectfully to all of the opinions of various Committee members, and then stated with clarity and simplicity that "we only do this once every fifty years or so; let's do it right." The result of his wisdom and leadership is evident for all to see.
ReplyDeleteI took my grandson Isaac Ohrenstein to meet I.E. Millstone to at the JCC opening event, and he was wearing a JCC baseball shirt as he was on his way to the game. Mr. Millstone shook his hand and told him he was proud that he was wearing that shirt. We left the stage and my grandson said WOW, as he could not believe that Mr. Millstone was 102 years old. I doubt Isaac who is 6 years old will ever forget this moment. -Adinah Raskas
ReplyDeleteAlthough I never met Mr. Millstone, I feel the power of his contributions to the Jewish Community and the community in general each day. He will be missed by all.
ReplyDeleteBonnie Drazen
As a family member from outside the country and now living in the US, Isadore has always been the rock of communication for the Apter side of the family here & abroad. He loved to speak about his family and what they were up to, always inquiring about my family here and abroad. We will never forget his kindness when my family arrived n the US in 1986.
ReplyDeleteIsadore Millstone will be remembered in our family as a solid citizen with a memory that spans the world.
Ghita, Ian Craig & Kerri Sarembock
I only knew Mr. Millstone by everything that he had accomplished for our Community until the opening of the new facility. That day I feel that he said all he needed and wanted to say and it was from his heart - no note cards, no prompter; just Mr. Millstone. It was as if he was passing the torch in his own way. We will never forget.........
ReplyDeleteI can't stop thinking about a man who accomplished so much, so selflessly - yet was in such pain the end of his long, prolific life. It seems clear Mr. Millstone's finale was out of character - for a life beautifully lived. May we all learn the lessons of generosity and selflessness that are his legacy, but also take Mr. Millstone's death as a lesson in humanity. None of us is infallible, even the strongest among us. He earned our respect and affection and made a profound impact on our community. May G-d bless him.
ReplyDeleteIt was so simple. On Purim this year, Mr. Millstone called school to say thank you for the mishloach manot our students left on his doorstep. I had the privelege of answering the phone and chatting with him about the impact he has made. He was pleased to hear about how his vision, when he became a founder of the Reform Jewish Academy ten years ago, has affected the lives of our students and the future of the Jewish community. At the age of 102, he gave me the honor of his time, and I will always hold that conversation as a dear memory. He was a mensch and a leader, and he will be missed. We will continue to do his work by raising a new generation of Mr. Millstones -- visionary leaders who use their power to make our community flourish. Our deepest condolences go to Mr. Millstone's family.
ReplyDeleteAmericans love self-made men and who was more literally self-made than I.E. Millstone. To be American is to refuse to be limited by the circumstances of your birth - ethnic, economic or genetic. This ambition is part of what defined Mr. Millstone. But it was more. He was an intellectual adventurer who championed causes in St. Louis and throughout the world. It was his unassailable logic and clear vision that enabled him to see needs. It was his compassion and philanthropy that enabled him to fulfill those needs. His imprint is everywhere we turn. How lucky we are to have had Mr. Millstone with us for 102 years. He's was as close to a star as the world of ideas and deeds is ever likely to know again.
ReplyDeleteIn the mid-1990's I coordinated a leadership development program for the JCC. Our theme for the 3-part series was "Past-Present-Future". There was no one better than Mr. Millstone to represent the past. He spoke passionately to a curious and appreciative group of adults (primarily in their 30's) about the history of the Jewish community. This wasn't history one could find in a book; it was a personal profile of a community, an agency and a man. I will always remember the profound legacy of Mr. Millstone.
ReplyDeleteI am so saddened by Mr. Millstone's death, and my heart goes out to his family. After surviving two wives and his children, I have heard, it is no surprise that he felt it was time to go. I hope someone does an amazing documentary on this wonderful human being and the ways he touched so many lives.
ReplyDeleteI never met Mr. Millstone.
ReplyDeleteAs a matter of fact, I only thought of him on the rare occasions his name entered the media. And then it was as one of those elite who influence our community.
But since I heard of his death, I have learned that he was much more than some rich guy with his name on a few buildings. I have learned that Mr. Millstone was a mench.
I have learned he was friend and mentor to not just the powerful, but to many in all walks of life…Jew and Christian—white and black—young and old.
I have learned that his life was one well lived, not just in the business world, but in the world of family. And it seemed that he had a rather expansive definition of family—not just his relatives or co-religionists, but the region, the nation, the world.
I felt it necessary to honor what I have learned of Mr. Millstone by attending his memorial service at United Hebrew.
I offer my condolences to all his families.