Max Berger's Obituary
BERGER, MAX (Gedaliah Menachem Mendel), 94, of Miami Beach, Florida, passed away peacefully on September 16, 2015 at 5:55 a.m. Max was born on August 1, 1921 in Chorzele, Poland, a small town of 3,000 people with approximately 1,000 Jews. He was one of nine children. Max's father died when he was a young man and Max became the head of the family. When Germany invaded Poland, Max sent his family into Russia to escape the Nazis. He fought the Nazis from Poland and Russia. After World War 2 began, Max did what he needed to do to keep his family alive. He had blond hair and blue eyes and could speak Yiddish, Russian, German, and Polish. He bought a Russian uniform from a flea market and pretended to be a Russian soldier. In order to survive, he stole ration cards and goods and diverted railroad cars with tobacco, coffee, chocolate, and livestock to then sell on the black market. By doing this, Max was able to save his family and many Jews from starving. Max met and married his wife Taube in 1945 in Kyrgyzstan, Russia. They were living in Displaced Persons camps in Germany where their first two children were born, Faibol and Anita. Faibol died while in the DP camps at the age of 18 months. Max and Taube moved to America in 1949 with Anita. In New York, they had two more children, Morris and David. Max came to New York penniless and worked in whatever jobs he could find - as a butcher, meat packer, jeweler, tailor and even sold hamburgers and hot dogs at Nathan's. He saved every spare penny and was able to purchase bungalows in Coney Island that ultimately led to a significant real estate investment business focused on hotels and offices in Miami Beach. Max's charitable devotions were his beloved Temple Menorah in Miami Beach and his support of the State of Israel through Israel Bonds and the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. He was actively and generously involved in those institutions. No doubt, Max Berger's greatest joy and legacy are his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They could do no wrong. He always treated each one as if they were the most important person in the world and they each felt that way. Max always thanked Hashem for all the good things that have happened to him over the years and ended every bracha with "Let there be peace at home and peace in Israel". The true measure of a man is the mark he leaves behind. In this vein, Max was a wealthy man. He was a hero, a leader, a warrior, a survivor, a philanthropist and a true champion. Max did a lot of things, but he would tell you that his greatest accomplishment is that he created the most amazing family anyone could ask for. He is predeceased by his beloved Taube Berger. He is survived by his children: Anita (Ira) Krieger, Morris (Aviva) Berger and David (Cindy) Berger. He is survived by grandchildren: Lance (Manoela) Burstyn, Julie Burstyn, Brooke Berger, Zachary (Amber) Berger, Chase (Jenny) Berger, Stephanie Krieger, Jacqueline (David) Savir, Daniel (Hara) Berger, Elizabeth (Michael) Pinewski, Michael Berger, and Dahlia (Martin) Guigui. He is also blessed with his great grand children: Brandon, Tobie, Liana, Sadie, Camila, Jake, Grace, Emma, Liam, Esther, Rebecca and Noah. We are blessed to have had him in our lives. His teachings and love will be with us always. We will miss you forever. Donations may be made to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (Miami Chapter), or Temple Menorah, Miami Beach. Funeral services will be held on Friday September 18 at 11 AM at Temple Menorah: 620 75th Street, Miami Beach, Florida.
Arrangements by Blasberg-Rubin-Zilbert Memorial Chapel (305) 865-2353
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