He helped others on a daily basis. It was his greatest pleasure.
Malibu is truly a special place, and not simply because of its beautiful majestic setting along the Pacific Ocean, just below the Santa Monica Mountains, but especially and specifically because this city is home to many kind and compassionate people. I feel blessed to be part of this wonderful community.
Consider Burt Sperber, a man of grace and dignity who was extraordinarily considerate and truly empathetic. I would say that he went overboard in his desire to help others. But can we say "overboard" when a giving man was doing what made him happy? Going above and beyond just came naturally to him.
I speak of Burt in the past tense. He died this past Friday.
More than a half century ago, Burt founded ValleyCrest, one of the world's great landscape companies. But he was more than a visionary and pioneering businessman with a feel for aesthetics. Burt had an inner beauty that enabled him to be a vessel for goodness.
As we prepare for Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, this Friday evening and all day Saturday (ending the 10-day period that began with Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year), I distinctly recall the time four years ago when we were celebrating another new year, the one for the trees, when together with volunteers, we at were making plans to replant some of the burned areas at.
When I called Burt for advice, he asked, "What do you know about trees?"
It was a rhetorical question, to which he quickly (and accurately) replied, "Nothing."
Of course, he was right. Tree cultivation was not even an elective at rabbinical school.
So, Burt took over. He contacted the to see the kinds of trees they wanted. He secured the trees, had them transported and made certain to place each one in the most appropriate location. Burt was our fearless leader, as you can see him define our mission at the outset. There are healthy products made by a company called "Burt's Bees." When it came to this project, all the volunteers became Burt's bees, energized by his energy.
Burt was an example of a "mensch"—which, like many Yiddish terms, loses something in translation. Let's just say, he was a special person, or we would say, a "true," "genuine" or "real" human being. Together with his wife Charlene, may she live and be well, Burt helped others on a daily basis. It was his greatest pleasure.
After coming home from the funeral, where people stood in the rain to pay their respects, I was moved before the holiest day of Judaism, the Day of Atonement, to speak about the bottom line: We can stand day and night seeking to absolve our guilt; we can even mean it sincerely from deep within our hearts, but until we pick up a shovel and get busy with the hard work, we have not brought the light to others.
Burt lived by my teacher's favorite words: "The essential thing is the deed" —Avot 1-17
May G-d bless Burt, Charlene and the whole Sperber family. May they be comforted by Burt's light that continues to inspire others.
I welcome you to join me at Chabad of Malibu for Yom Kippur at our "no tickets/no charge" High Holiday services. We just want to know that you will be there. Please let me know you're coming by making a reservation at www.jewishmalibu.com