Amit Magazine Summer 2006.qxd

DevelopmentNews
Field of Dreams
By Penina Wiesman
Somewhere, Samuel Goldstein, z”l, is smiling
down on a field in Israel as children run across
the fresh lawn, laughter trailing behind them.
This year there will be a new addition to this stretch of
open space that the children from six AMIT schools use
as their playground. The outdoor haven has been dedicated
in the name of Samuel Goldstein by his loving
nephew, Dr. Harold Goldstein. The field will now bear
the name and memory of a special man, known for his
combined love of sports, children, and helping others.
As one of the honorees of the AMIT Major Gifts
Luncheon in Fort Lauderdale, FL, this past March, Dr.
Goldstein reflected on the touching relationship he and
his uncle shared. Those in attendance at the event said,
“He spoke very warmly and emotionally about his uncle.
It was clear that he was really very honored that he was
able to perform this mitzvah in his memory.”
Dr. Goldstein lost his father at a young age and
turned to his father’s older brother, Samuel, who had
no children of his own. The two developed an extremely
strong bond as Samuel became a surrogate father,
and Harold like a son to his uncle. When discussing the distribution
of his estate, Samuel decided that Harold should be in
charge of part of it. The condition was that the money go to
Jewish people in need. Dr. Goldstein’s “familiarity with how
AMIT was helping people in need in Israel worked perfectly”
with the stipulations Samuel had set forth. After a recent visit
to AMIT Kfar Batya, Harold settled on this school as the recipient
of his uncle’s funds.
Born in 1907, Samuel Goldstein lived through the depression
and desperately searched for a job like the rest of American
workers. At one point, he worked as a basketball referee earning
a few dollars per game. This period of history left a mark on
Goldstein. Being in financial difficulty opened his heart to the
plight of those in need. “The underprivileged were an important
part of his thinking,” remembers Dr. Goldstein. “He wanted
to aid those people.” In addition, Samuel had first-hand
experience with anti-Semitism, which served to strengthen his
Jewish identity. “His personality and his whole being were
marked by being Jewish,” said his nephew.
Samuel eventually became a physical education teacher for
34
AMIT Summer 2006
Samuel Goldstein – friend of
children, sports, and the underdog
Children enjoying the open space of the
Goldstein field
Dr. Harold Goldstein (center) being honored at
an AMIT Major Gifts event for donating the
playing field in his uncle’s memory.
He is pictured with co-chairs Judy Aronson (l)
and Marilyn Kaplan (r)
an elementary school, and the
principal of the outdoor summer
school program, both of
which provided the children a
place to enjoy the outdoors in a
supervised manner. Samuel
understood that sports are
important for a child’s development
in the areas of life that
are not measured by test scores
or correct answers. He recog-
nized that “athletics teaches sportsmanship, tolerance…,
integrity, determination, kindness, diligence,” all of which are
essential to a child’s social advancement. “Those are all words
he used himself,” recalled Harold. Several of these important
beliefs will be inscribed on the dedication plaque.
In light of the values that were most prominent in Samuel
Goldstein’s life, his nephew’s choice is both poignant and
appropriate. When referring to that decisive moment when he
saw the sports field at Kfar Batya, Dr. Goldstein’s words are
unequivocal and concise. “It fit.”
We invite you to join the AMIT Heritage/ Moreshet
Society, by participating in our Planned Giving Program
or by leaving AMIT a bequest in your will. You can
choose to include your name on the Honor Roll of the
AMIT Heritage/ Moreshet Society. Please call the AMIT
office at 1-800-989-AMIT or 212-477-4720 for more
information.