New Jersey Jewish News
MertroWest Commentary
Herb Iris remembered as builder of MetroWest, Zion
On Tuesday, April 4, we attended the 2006 annual State
Humanitarian Awards dinner of the National Conference on Community and
Justice (formerly the National Conference of Christians and Jews). Jerry Waldor was to be honored posthumously for his humanitarian efforts. The presenter of the award was to have been Herb Iris, who was one of the chairs for the dinner. Tragically, Herb had died earlier that day.
Jerry’s son, Peter, gave the tribute to Jerry and mentioned that Jerry and Herb, as partners and fund-raisers on behalf of the United Jewish Appeal, were both peerless leaders in promoting tikun olam, or “repairing the world.”
It is indeed fitting that the lives of Jerry Waldor and Herb Iris are so inextricably linked. They were both giants of our community, gone within such a short period. They cannot be replaced. This is a tremendous loss for our community.
Herb Iris was a master builder for MetroWest. Because of his background in engineering and construction, having headed Iris Construction for many years, he was a key resource in developing the Aidekman Community Campus, the Lester Community Housing project, and capital expansions at the Daughters of Israel and the JCC. His advice and counsel were also instrumental for his beloved synagogue, Sharey Tefilo-Israel. Just two weeks ago, he met with the leadership of Hanover Township to discuss a new group home for the developmentally disabled on the Jewish community campus in Whippany.
He not only gave countless hours of wisdom to all of these construction projects, as chair of our Capital Management Committee, he also raised millions of dollars to fund the construction as well as operating costs. He was a key leader in fund-raising for the Aidekman Community Campus, the Lester Jewish Community Housing project, particularly its Fifth Commandment Endowment Fund, and countless other projects. Herb combined the wisdom and experience of his profession with his passion for community and ability to influence others. This was a powerful mix that helped him to greatly enhance our MetroWest community today and into the future.
Herb was also a builder of Zion through his chairmanship of the MetroWest United Jewish Appeal campaign. He raised millions of dollars for Israel and other overseas needs, as well as for our own local community. During the volatile period of 1998 — when our community was in the midst of a crisis over “Who is a Jew?” — Herb was a consensus builder and a major architect of our annual allocations for programs of the major religious streams in Israel. Partly as a result of his leadership, MetroWest has become a national leader in efforts to build bridges between the secular and religious segments of Israeli society. He was a force in raising funds for Operation Exodus and Operation Moses, the historic resettlement of Russian and Ethiopian Jews, respectively. Herb also led numerous missions to Israel. He influenced countless others with his passion for the community.
We also honor Herb’s wonderful family: his wife, Milly, daughters Kerry and Roree, and the rest of the mishpacha. They not only share his love and passion for the Jewish community but also spent countless evenings without him because of his dedication.
As we who work for the MetroWest community drive down Iris-Lieberman Road each morning on the way to the Aidekman Campus, we will always remember Herb Iris and the profound difference he made during his lifetime. His knowledge, passion, and commitment have helped to transform our community today and for future generations.
Related Article: MetroWest Jewish community says farewell to philanthropist Herb Iris
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