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Nov 22, 2011—Dr. Bernard Reisman died on Nov. 21, 2011 at the Bedford, MA VA Hospital after many years of coping with Alzheimer's Disease. The list of attributes is long: Brandeis University professor, Director of the Benjamin Hornstein Program, one of the country's first graduate programs to educate, train and prepare professional leaders to serve the Jewish community. Husband of Elaine Reisman. Father of Joel and Debby Reisman, Sharon and Stephen Conway, Eric and Sheryl Cooper Reisman, Robin and Richard Maltz. Grandfather of eight.

Here's what lies between these lines:

Bernie Reisman was a supreme mensch of a man, a gentle "giant" in the eyes of hundreds of students fortunate enough to be mentored by him decades after Graduate School.

Bernie Reisman was brilliant, curious and genuine. Touching base every few months always began with his sincere concern for one's whole person- not just the professional dimension; he openly shared with those who knew him his love for family, welcoming class after class to his home to meet his beloved Elaine, to see his tennis trophies, to hear about his kids. He was a terrific role model for so many of us, showing us by his actions what was truly important.

Always sensitive and thoughtful in his approach, Bernie had the ability to cut to the chase, to make you realize that you could be smarter, better, more open to possibilities and always more prepared. His gentleness and kindness never allowed us to forget his quiet but firm leadership built on a sterling reputation.

Bernie taught us what it meant to care so deeply about the Jewish community, he helped us acknowledge that there was so much still to learn and most of all that we did not have to go it alone. Bernie taught us what it meant to aspire to be the kinds of professionals he and the University would be proud of.

I am conscious of what a role model Bernie Reisman was, what he taught me and hundreds of my colleagues and fellow alumni, and ever aware that I, like so many others, aspire to be a bit more like Bernie every day in the way we teach, involve people, mentor and open ourselves.

May his memory be for a blessing.

Cindy Chazan is Vice President of the Wexner Foundation. She first met Bernard Reisman in 1972, when she entered the third class of the Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program at Brandeis University.

Click here to browse publications by Bernard Reisman z"l on BJPA

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