Sam Weisberg's Obituary
Sam Weisberg, 97, a long time resident of Cleveland Heights, died Sunday, December 7. Sam Weisberg was an advocate for social justice and civil rights. He was Director of the Ohio Committee for Fair Employment Practice Legislation, succeeding in getting the Fair Housing Bill and other fair employment bills passed through the Ohio legislature. He was a journalist and managing editor of the Cleveland office of the Jewish Daily Forward. Mr. Weisberg worked in the first Social Security Administration. He was the first Administrator for the Jewish Orthodox Old Home, the forerunner of Menorah Park Center for Living. Among the duties in his long work career, Mr. Weisberg did public relations work for the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, directed the fund-raising campaign that built the original Temple EmanuEl, and was its first Director. He was the Director of Personnel for Bobbie Brooks where he advocated and created a pension plan for its workers. Sam Weisberg was also the Associate Director of the Annual Campaign of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland where he was known not only for his successful campaigns but for his mentorship of younger professionals. After retirement, Mr. Weisberg ran successful fundraising campaigns for a variety of Jewish and other organizations including the Agnon School, Park Synagogue, University Settlement and Workman Circle. Sam Weisberg was an avid reader of American history, particularly biographies of women activists and American presidents.
A native of Pittsburgh, he was the son of Russian Jewish Socialists Eva Greenblatt Weisberg and Julius Weisberg and brother of Milton Weisberg, all deceased. He was a graduate of University of Michigan and remained a loyal Wolverine fan. For 70 plus years, Mr. Weisberg, was husband of Lillian Epstein Weisberg who survives him, a dancer and dance-movement therapist who co-founded Cleveland Modern Dance Association, now Dance Cleveland. In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters Julie Weisberg Hillyer and Laura Weisberg, and grandchildren Jessica Nelson, Daniel Hillyer, and Liana Wong, all of whom adored him.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 28, 2015 at 7:30 PM at Agnon School, 26500 Shaker Blvd., Beachwood, OH.. Family requests no visitation. Contributions may be sent to the Jewish Labor Committee, Hospice of the Western Reserve, and DANCECleveland.
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