Angelica Berrie, Myron Rosner, and Binny Shalev (l-r)
Myron Rosner was a storyteller. He reveled in sharing detailed accounts of, for instance, how local Jewish life has changed since he was a boy, whether any given bakery’s rugelach passed muster, or highlights from annual trips with his kids and his especially beloved grandkids. But one of his favorite topics was stories about Russ Berrie, his longtime client, co-conspirator, and dear friend.
It is an honor to pay tribute to Myron, a founding member of The Russell Berrie Foundation’s Board of Trustees and a cherished colleague, who passed away on August 24. He joined the Board in 1985 and remained dedicated to carrying forth Russ’s philanthropic vision over nearly 40 years. Angelica Berrie reaffirmed that so much of what the Foundation does and the impact it has had was shaped by Myron’s unshakable commitment. “He was a fierce and loyal defender of the Jewish people, reflecting a spirit that has animated our work since its earliest days,” she shared.
Scott Berrie has always known Myron to be fiercely loyal to his father, as his legal counsel and even more so as his friend. Indeed, when current Trustee David Rosenblatt was being vetted for a Trustee position in 2017, he went to a dinner at which Myron was also in attendance. While exiting, he asked David if he had a minute. As David recalls, “that minute turned into an hour of learning what Russ meant to Myron, the direction Russ wanted his foundation to take, and the importance of its leaders wholly dedicating themselves to progress along that path. Looking back, thank goodness I passed the test!”
Myron was our steadfast, vocal champion for Northern New Jersey. Born at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, he was a lifelong resident of Bergen County, where he raised his family with the love of his life, Liesa. Program Officer Kaarin Varon credited Myron with being “my history buff for Bergen County. He was so committed to Jewish life and also prized diversity,” believing that the Jewish community gains strength when many different ethnic and religious groups in the area can grow and flourish.
His Jewish identity ran deep, shaping his thinking and values over the course of his life. Myron reminded us often that Jews were overtly discriminated against in many facets of Bergen County life as he was growing up, making it imperative that the Foundation invest in culture and opportunity in a region that today is a tapestry of different populations and heritages. Nothing made him prouder than supporting scholarships for children from every background to access an exceptional music education through the JCC on the Palisades’ Thurnauer School of Music, and then sharing glowing reviews of the youth concerts.
““He was so committed to Jewish life and also prized diversity,” believing that the Jewish community gains strength when many different ethnic and religious groups in the area can grow and flourish. ”
Myron was deeply connected to the state of Israel and he could often be found staring out at the ancient walls of Jerusalem in amazement and appreciation at having been given the gift to contribute to Israel’s safety and security. Wanting to make sure that local Jewish students were equipped with the tools and knowledge to support Israel even in the face of criticism on college campuses, Myron helped to establish the ICAN Teen Leadership program run by the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey.
A graduate of Lehigh University and New York University School of Law, Myron led a distinguished legal career. He dedicated his time, expertise, and energy to numerous charitable and philanthropic endeavors, including serving as a founding board member of the Arnold P. Gold Foundation and as a board member of Holy Name Medical Center and the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades. Having helped to negotiate the Foundation’s original gift establishing the Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center at Columbia University, Myron remained closely tied to the professional team there, always ready to offer guidance.
Trustee Steve Seiden reflected that Myron approached his service to The Russell Berrie Foundation as a sacred trust. His presence and moral compass cannot be replaced. Our entire board and staff, together with the many grantees with which he established a close relationship, will remember Myron with love, and we hope he is reunited with his beloved Liesa. May his memory be a blessing.