SZMUEL IZCHAKI MAX RATNER — A BIALYSTOKER WITH A HEART One’s background inevitably influences the course one’s life will take, regardless of changing circumstan- ces. This holds true for those who rarely give any thought to their origins. But how much more does one’s past guide his behavior when he often reminisces about it? One such man is Max Ratner of Cleveland, a most distinguished Bialystoker, a prosperous industrialist and leading philanthropist on the American Jewish scene. Living in America for six decades has not weak- ened Mr. Ratner’s Jewish spirit, which was nurtured in his youth in that magnificent Bialystok that exists no more. Ratner’s humanitarianism is not mere inclination; he translates 11 into concrete action. His contact with the Bialystoker Center in New York is frequent and reg- ular. Routinely he inquires how he can help, always available to render guidance, generate ideas, and encourage the completion of goals the institution has set for itself — all this despite numerous demands upon his time and the fact that he lives in Cleveland. On sev- eral occasions in the recent past, Ratner has visited the Center while on business in New York, finding a small slot in his frenetic schedule to devote to Bialystoker interests. Max Ratner has won, over his long and fruitful career, the respect of colleagues in business, as well as the gratitude of those who have benefited from his lar- gesse. Bialystoker /andsleit, however, developed a spe- cial love and warmth for this man who is one of their own and profoundly committed to their well-being. Notwithstanding his importance, Ratner impresses one as humble. No airs or pretense exist in this man who holds the position of President of the American-Israel Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a major catalyst for enhanced trade between the two countries. Mention Bialystok to him and Mr. Ratner will share at length memories and anecdotes of his childhood there. He also enjoys talking about how his star rose in the face of difficult times once he came to the United States. His family lived at the corner of Polna and Czysta streets in Bialystok. His parents, Mojsze and Pesze Ratowcer, owned weaving looms and were textile manufacturers. In 1921, the entire family left Bialystok and came to America. There were eight children, four brothers and four sisters. His oldest brother, Charles (Kalman), had come to America in 1905. In Bialystok, his brother, as a young The Bialystoker Memorial Book lad, was active in the local revolutionary movement. The Czarist police tracked him down and almost exiled him to Siberia. But when Charles was only thirteen years old, he fled Bialystok and came to the United States. In those days life for immigrants in America was very hard. Charles was forced, because he could find no lodging, to sleep for three weeks in Hester Park on the Lower East Side in New York. In the street he would sing Yiddish songs, such as A Brievele der Mamen, to earn a little money. When the other members of the Ratner family came to the United States in 1921, they immediately settled in Cleveland. One of their cousins, George Sogg, had a lumber business. Max Ratner’s two brothers, Charles and Leonard (Lazar), went to work for their cousin. Later on, Leonard opened a grocery store and Charles a lumber yard. Meir, later known as Max Ratner, assisted Charles and at the same time went to school, graduating as an attorney in 1929. After finish- ing his studies, Max became Charles’ partner in the wood business. Leonard sold his grocery and founded his own lumber company. In 1929, the four Ratner brothers merged their businesses and_ established ‘‘Forest City Enterprises.’’ This firm became very suc- cessful. Max Ratner was selected president of Forest City Enterprises in 1929, and more recently has served as chairman of the Board of Directors. His nephew, Albert, Leonard’s son, is currently president. The Ratner family did not spare themselves work, and thanks to their industriousness their firm grew very large. Forest City Enterprises in Cleveland now employs 3,000 workers. It has branches in Chicago, Detroit, Portland and elsewhere. Not only does this firm produce all kinds of wooden articles, but also builds shopping centers, hotels, motels and similar developments in many different places. Furthermore, it features a patented high-rise-building system sold in many foreign countries. Max Ratner’s wife, Betty, was born in Cleveland. They have four sons, all married. The family is greatly involved in the business. Three of Max and Betty’s sons — Charles, a lawyer; James, a Harvard University business school graduate; and Ronnie, an architect — work for the company. The fourth son, Mark, is a physics professor at Northwestern University. Max Ratner is celebrated in the Cleveland Jewish community as an activist in numerous philanthropic 173