Sophia Franco
It’s a fast day, Tisha b’Av. Rabbi David Ozeri approaches Harry Adjmi and says, “I’ve got a problem. I have four rabbis, and I must get them each fifteen thousand dollars for their children’s weddings. They are teachers, the poorest of the poor, and I really want to help.” Harry thinks for a minute and concocts a plan. “Okay,” he says. “We’re going to go to each of the four different minyanim in Deal Synagogue. Rather than the standard Harry Adjmi fundraiser, do you mind if we set an amount, and ask everyone for a maximum of $1,000 dollars each?” Rabbi Ozeri says, “If that’s how you think it’ll work, go ahead.” Harry starts with the first minyan. “I tell them about these rabbis and ask whoever is willing to and can put up $1,000, to please raise their hand. By the time we get to the last minyan, our goals are surpassed, and we’ve done a tremendous hesed. All in a good day’s work.”
“The leader of the generation is like the entire generation.”- Rosh Hashanah 25b
They say that leaders bring the weather, but what does that mean? And what makes a good leader? Haim Chera calls Harry a one man show. “He has a special talent for reading a room instantly and infusing it into one of warmth and generosity.”
In a community larger and more complex than ever before, Harry brings his unstoppable energy everywhere – giving generously, guiding wisely, and inspiring deeply- multiple times a week, not for one organization, but for so many charities that constitute the fiber of our community. This, in addition to being a prominent businessman in both apparel and real estate, and a father and grandfather, makes him among the truly unique. Surely, you’ve seen him, microphone in hand, radiating positivity and success, making people feel safe, valued, and ready to be their best selves, but that’s not all. Behind the scenes Harry’s mediating business, marital, and familial conflicts. Where there is discord, and Harry enters the room, miraculously, the outcome turns out better for everyone.
Why?
Rabbi Joey Haber reflects, “Harry Adjmi is one of the most remarkable men our community has ever known. We deeply respect the leaders of past generations, but many of them were guiding a smaller community, with fewer organizations and fewer people. Today, our community is enormous, and Harry is involved in every aspect, from every angle. What’s truly extraordinary is his sensitivity. He notices small thoughts, subtle concerns, and addresses people with tender care. He can sit with the most vulnerable woman, the most influential rabbi, and the most powerful layman, and give each the same attention. He’s bold, direct, yet humble. He’s loving and clear, and when he’s tough, it’s only in your best interest.” Guided by a fierce moral compass, deep personal pride, and unwavering courage, Harry treats everyone with fairness, forgiveness, and the gift of being truly heard.
Ikey Massry, of Hillel Yeshivah, echoes, “Harry doesn’t just live in this community – he lives for it, giving his time, energy, and heart to make it stronger every day.”
“Who is the strong one? One who strengthens others.”- Pirkei Avot 4:1
Many are under the false notion that Harry magically appeared on the community stage on April 14, 2020, but he’s been involved in community affairs since the 1990s. On that infamous day in the heat of Covid, Harry had just returned home from the hospital when so many of our loved ones had not. A visibly changed man, he was ill, but happy and aware. “I got lucky,” he said to all those gathered around celebrating his return and to countless Instagram watchers who were glued to their screens. “Hashem said to me, ‘Harry, you’re a good worker; continue your work, and double down. Keep helping the community.’ Double down!” Harry repeated, a call to action that was played and replayed, inspiring so many to volunteer, donate, and pray. No one had any idea how far and wide the sentiment would travel.
Rabbi Eli Mansour, close friend and mentor to Harry, calls Alice, Harry’s wife, the silent hero. A community leader and advocate, she is the backbone and foundation for everything that Harry has accomplished thus far. She recalls, “Twenty-six years ago, I was Vice President of Sephardic Community Center, and we were, literally, without money to make payroll. I had an idea to invite the people to our home and appeal to them, directly, and Harry went along with it. We called the event Save the Center and all the girls involved made the food and décor by hand.
“I’d intended to be honest about how much trouble we were in, but back then, no one wanted to show weakness. I had prepared a speech, but at the last minute I panicked. Harry took the microphone. He was caught completely off guard, but he was warm, casual, and spoke from the heart, asking each guest what the Center had done for them. They responded to him, in stereo, as they always do, and it was a huge success. That was the first time, and it was a blockbuster. Harry was a natural.”
From that day, Harry became a spokesman for many different charities. He realized that if you appeal to the people, tell them stories about who and how the charity is helping, they’ll come to your aid. Today, you’ve seen this done at thousands of events, but back then it was a brand-new concept.
“Give thanks for the good, and you will be granted more.” – Berachot 54a
Harry explains, “If you ask any entertainer why they return to the stage again and again, they’ll tell you, it feels good. It feels special when people respond, and even more so when they respond with large donations for a cause you believe in. I try to speak beautifully always, but no two fundraisers are alike. Sometimes the people are in awe, sometimes it doesn’t work. Depends on the home, time of day, and the mood of the crowd. I accept and understand it. What drives me is my own need to help. I give tremendous credit to the host for setting things up for success, to Norma Cohen, my partner in planning every event, and now her daughter Lydia. It’s never a one person show – I’m just the facilitator. I stick to the notion that if you speak to people honestly, from the heart, they’ll want to give. It feels good to be part of something bigger than yourself and I want to share that feeling.”
Alice, who steps up for so many community issues including Chaim Medical, continues, “Our house is a revolving door 24/7. There’s always someone who needs Harry’s expertise, but he also makes time for each child and grandchild, taking them for lunch and dinner, and making sure everyone has what they need.”
Harry has undisputedly garnered the respect of the rabbinate for his good deeds, care, and love of the community. Rabbi David Ozeri is by his side often, and by now the two can finish each other’s sentences. “I have been blessed, in Brooklyn, Deal, and NYC to have every single rabbi in this community on speed dial,” Harry says proudly. “Should I need them, should I want them…should I have to speak to them about something, I have that ability, and that is one of the greatest blessings Hashem has given me.”
Rabbi Eli Mansour continues, “Harry Adjmi is a true public servant. While most people would step back when things get difficult, not Harry. Despite hearing loss, mobility challenges, and major health scares, Harry works at full speed, pushing at 200 percent. He teaches us: don’t look for excuses, look for the way forward. He’s clever, sharp, and well-connected – senators, governors, rabbis – and he uses every connection for the community: for our schools, shuls, and institutions… never for himself. He’s smart and spontaneous, even bullish sometimes, but it’s coming from the right place, so, it works. You never quite know what’s going to come out of his mouth, and that’s his secret weapon. He can size up any situation instantly – that’s the Moroccan blood in him. He’s also my dear friend, and we can sit and talk for hours with a good cigar and a glass of scotch, that he gifted me, of course.”
“Harry gives first and sets the example for all to follow,” Rabbi Edmund Nahum reflects. Rabbi Joey Haber continues, “He’s close with every rabbi in the community, across every hashkafa, and we all feel he’s our best friend. While he’s giving a major donation, he’s also helping a couple in crisis, speaking at two events, guiding another organization, sending a bottle of wine to one rabbi, a case of tomatoes and corn to another – and always finding ways to connect and show he cares.”
Harry was also among the group who suggested giving donors something simple with each invitation. “Give them a babka, a challah. Let them know how valuable they are.” He also
encourages personal letters of thanks for showing up and giving, so everyone feels seen and appreciated.
“Remember the Lrd your Gd, for it is He who gives you the strength to achieve success.” – Devarim 8:18
“I’ve taken the microphone hundreds and hundreds of times,” Harry explains, “We’ve done fundraisers in every style and size with different guest speakers in different venues, and I’m always astounded by our great community.”
Rabbi Joey Haber continues, “Meeting with Harry is a joy; he’s fun, upbeat, and passionate. In Magen David, in Kesher, in Beit Yosef, he always arrives with positivity. He has nuanced emotions and understands even the smallest thoughts and concerns of people. What’s unique about Harry Adjmi is how much ground he covers and how much time it entails. I’m just amazed.”
“Be strong and courageous.” – Yehoshua 1:9
Harry Adjmi is one of eleven children. He didn’t grow up as religious as some of the people he’s associated with, but as he explains, “Everyone has the ability and the right to evolve and to love and embrace the Torah, at their speed, and at their level… Rabbi Nahum always says from the pulpit, ‘Don’t go too fast, so you know how you got there.’ We are all growing. Our rabbinate uplifts and guides us, and people are learning by example. Both women and men’s classes are filled to bursting. Our community is bigger and greater than ever before and participating in more hesed, learning, and charity than ever in its history. I’m so happy I’m participating in that.”
Harry is entirely authentic. He doesn’t rely on notes or memos and has never in his life prepared a speech. “I’m hands-on,” he says. “People think I just show up, but it’s a fallacy. I do my research; I couldn’t do it any other way. I must know the people, the organization, and how the proceeds are being spent. I visit their headquarters and must trust in their honesty. I could never fundraise or throw my full energy behind a cause I didn’t completely believe in.”
“Harry is an absolute genius,” says Alan M. Maleh. “His ideas are original, unique, and when you hear them, you think, ‘Wow, that’s so simple.’ I visit Harry’s office once a month, and in a ten-hour day, nine of those hours are spent doing hesed. He is the most selfless, generous, kindest person I’ve ever met. I’ve watched him resolve fierce business disputes with wisdom and grace, and divorce cases with strength and straightforwardness. There is no one else on this planet who can do what Harry does. We are fortunate to have him.”
Jenine Shwekey, co-founder of the Special Children’s Center has worked with Harry for over twenty years. “He’s a true philanthropist,” she explains, “He helps people, saves lives, and stands with the community in every way. He works alongside rabbis solving problems, helps families in crisis, supports the sick, and guides people through everything from medical challenges to government matters to difficult divorces. The value of what he does is worth far more than any check he could write. You can give millions, but when you save families, it’s more than money could ever buy.”
Richie Dweck, too, has been fundraising with Harry for years, “Harry has a gift – he takes small organizations and helps them grow beyond imagination. From the Special Children Center’s infancy, Harry was there, guiding and boosting us and giving clarity on how to reach the next level. He gives with an open heart – generously, wholeheartedly, and tirelessly. Some give their time but not their money. Some give money but not time. Harry gives both, a thousand times over, to a thousand organizations. And behind it all is Alice – his partner, his backbone. Without her support, none of this would be possible. She works modestly behind the scenes, always supportive, always giving her input. The Special Children’s Center is what it is today because Harry and Alice put in hundreds of hours, endless energy, and their whole hearts into its success.”
Harry is so grateful, “Hashem puts the words in my mouth, and the wisdom to know the community so well after all these years; but I work hard. I have a family and children and grandchildren. I have a business to run. The rabbinate helps me, and I have great people in my workplace that I trust and rely on. At home, Alice is my heart and soul. She’s that type of woman, that type of wife, that sees it, understands it, and allows it. Whether people are coming to my home, or sitting on our porch, whether I’m running out to the fourth or fifth charity meeting of the day… whether I need her help giving advice and wisdom… she is there for me, 100 percent.”
Harry sees past cultural norms and traditional roles and was one of the members of the committee that invited Gladys Haddad to preside over Magen David Yeshivah. He understood what the school needed. Gladys recalls, “He believed in me, and continues to encourage me, and so many others, to keep serving the community. He’s one of six trustees of our board and doesn’t miss a meeting or follow up, as if he has nothing else going on in the world. He thinks outside the box, and makes ideas come to life.” Morris Missry, continues, “Harry Adjmi is a pillar of our community and in working with him on the Board of Magen David Trustees, I am fortunate to have taken part in meetings where Harry’s genius, big heart, and street smarts advise the Board in a manner that adds tremendous value.”
Ikey “Spike” Dweck has worked with Harry on SAFE for more years than we can count. “Harry has devoted his life to lifting others – through tireless fundraising, unwavering community support, and a genuine passion for helping people. His dedication inspires all who know him.”
“All is from Heaven.” – Berachot 33b
“We didn’t know what was happening then,” Harry recalls of April 2020. “Alice thought I came home without my brain. I had my head raised to the shamayim and I was saying, ‘thank you Hashem, thank you,’ because there’s no question that when I went to the hospital, I thought I was not coming home. The one and only Stanley Chera, a”h, my friend and mentor, had passed away that Shabbat, Rabbi Nahum, Baruch Hashem, came home with 104-degree fever, by the skin of his teeth, and my sister Arlene, a”h, did not make it home at all. What I did know is that everything is Hashem. There is nothing He doesn’t have His hand attached to. I’m here for a reason. I believe I know the reason, but I don’t do what I do because of that reason. I’m doing it from a place deep in my heart.”
As bold as Harry is, he doesn’t linger to take credit. He slips out quietly from every fundraiser, his mission complete. For him, this isn’t a grand gesture. It is simply what he does, because for Harry, pursuing goodness isn’t an occasional act – it’s a way of life.
“Be among the disciples of Aharon – loving peace and pursuing peace, loving people, and bringing them close to the Torah.” – Pirkei Avot 1:12
In rooms tense with worry, Harry brings calm; in moments filled with doubt, he brings light. This is his quiet genius: to make goodness feel nearby. Harry seeks peace, mends it, and shares it. He loves people as they are and lifts them toward what they can be. He’s unafraid to take risks, and he’ll be a cushion for those he encourages to take them, too. Harry’s goal is to help people stuck on the side of the road. “If I can get them to their destination the way that SAFE, Bikur Holim, Special Children’s Center, Imagine, Renewal, A Giving Hand, CARE, Sephardic Food Fund, Hatzalah, Hillel, DSN, Shomrim, Chaim Medical, the Beit Din, and so many more organizations are doing, then I am doing my part. From one synagogue called Shaare Zion, and one school called Magen David, so much growth has followed. The community is growing by leaps and bounds, and still, there’s room for more schools, shuls, mikvehs, rabbis, teachers, administrators, and leaders. For that, I call upon all of you. I want you to read this article and know that you can also partake and give back. You have no idea how good it feels to change someone’s life.”
Closing Note from Sophia Franco
To all those who gave me their input and stories, thank you! Harry’s work is truly l’shem shamayim, and it is my honor and pleasure to shine a light on it. Harry and Alice, may all the good you do in this world bring Hashem’s smile upon you and may you and your family be blessed with peace, long life, and happiness always!!!
