Harry Z Bornstein

Harry Z. Bornstein, international businessman and Holocaust survivor, passed away in New York City on Saturday, June 23rd. He was 86 years old. Harry, or Heinz by birth, was the son of Artur and Helene Bornstein (nee Goldberg). Artur took Harry to Palestine in 1935 where Harry attended the Pittman School of Commerce and served in the Haganah. Helene eventually perished in Auschwitz.

A self-made man, Harry left Israel for New York where he got started in the business world and continued his intellectual pursuits as an avid reader. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Harry made his mark in the Far East, where

he became a well-known international commodities trader with executive positions in companies such as Asoma, Elkem, and the infamous Philip Brothers (Phibro).

Harry spoke an impressive nine languages, 6 of them fluently. A well-traveled man, he lived all over the world, and at various points in his life was able to call Berlin, Prague, Barcelona, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, New York, La Rochelle, Seoul, Osaka, Tokyo and London home.

Harry was a dedicated champion of Jewish causes. For many years he served as US Chairman of Jordan is Palestine until the peace treaty between Israel and Jordan. Afterwards he became very active in Justice For Jews, writing articles regularly and promoting the cause all over the world. While in Japan he was very active in the Jewish Community Center

of Japan and took on the role of Board Member, Treasurer and President at various times. It was also in Japan where he finally met his wife Yasuko, who he married in London. Throughout his life, he wrote op eds in defense of Jewish causes and on middle eastern affairs which appeared in publications in Tokyo, London, and on occasion The New York Times.

Stories about him are legendary; friends and relatives describe a kind, fair and elegant man with a healthy sense of humor, quick wit, keen intellectual curiosity, and remarkable ability to maintain contact with friends and acquaintances all over the world throughout his life.

A loving and devoted husband, he leaves behind his beloved wife Yasuko (New York), his brother Michael (Florida), nieces Michelle and Taeko (New York, Tokyo), nephews Daniel and Tomoo (Los Angeles, Tokyo), and dozens of cousins all over the US, England, and Israel.