Edward Ginsberg was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1917 and then moved with his family to Cleveland, Ohio. He received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan in 1938 and a Juris Doctor from Harvard University in 1941. After graduation, he returned to Cleveland, where he practiced law for more than 50 years.
Throughout his life, Mr. Ginsberg devoted himself to Israeli and Jewish activities in the U.S. and around the world. After World War II, he played an important role raising funds for the establishment and support of the State of Israel, working directly with world figures including Golda Meir and Yitzhak Rabin.
In the 1960s and 70s, Mr. Ginsberg was a general chairman and then president of United Jewish Appeal, and president of the American Joint Distribution Committee. Mr. Ginsberg was also vice president of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and a founder of the Cleveland Jewish News. He served as a life trustee of the Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland, was past president of the Fairmount Temple, and sponsored many educational programs at Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Hebrew Union College and Hebrew University in Jerusalem awarded him honorary degrees, Hebrew University made him an honorary founder, and the Jewish Community Federation awarded him the Eisenman Award for humanitarianism. He was involved in many business activities, including directorships of El Al Israel Airlines and the First Israel Bank and Trust Company. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he was a partner in the New York Yankees and a past director in the Chicago Bulls.
The Ginsberg Center at the University of Michigan, which supports community service and learning, was endowed in Ginsberg's honor. The Rosalie Ginsberg scholarship -- named for Mr. Ginsberg's wife -- is also awarded annually to students with financial need who are dedicated to community service. The Rosalie Ginsberg Awards honors those who have made exceptional contributions to society, on campus and beyond, through exemplary engagements in service and social action.
Ginsberg died in 1997.
From the guide to the Edward Ginsberg papers, 1950-1997, 1957-1980, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)
