Alfred Fleishman

Born on June 16, 1905, in St. Louis, Missouri, Fleishman pursued his education at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. Following his studies, he served in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of major in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Throughout the war, he primarily fulfilled the role of a Pentagon-based public information officer.

Appointed as a special consultant to the Secretary of Defense by the American Jewish Congress, Fleishman embarked on a mission to war-torn Germany in October 1945. There, he led a survey committee tasked with assessing the psychological, economic, and social needs of displaced individuals in Germany and Austria. Fleishman's firsthand experience with the atrocities of the Holocaust positioned him as an early observer. His research and ensuing report played a pivotal role in raising awareness among numerous organizations in the United States regarding the plight of Jews displaced by World War II. After finalizing his report, Fleishman embarked on a lecture tour across 60 cities in the United States. During these engagements, he addressed the topic of relief and rehabilitation needs for refugees, shedding light on their pressing concerns. Following his tour, Fleishman became actively engaged in various Jewish causes and broader minority affairs initiatives. As a dedicated member of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Fleishman undertook 57 visits to Israel spanning from 1955 to 1997. During these visits, he cultivated personal relationships with numerous founders and leaders of the state.

Following his military service, Fleishman received recognition for his contributions to the rehabilitation of World War II combat casualties and amputees. Notably, he was honored with the Legion of Merit award. His achievements included the creation of a widely disseminated publication titled Coming Home. Additionally, he was awarded the Americanism Medal by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Fleishman held leadership positions in several Jewish organizations, including serving as a former president of Congregation B'nai Amoona in Creve Coeur, and as a former president and campaign chairman of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis. He was also a co-founder of the St. Louis Jewish Light newspaper.