TORONTO — It’s “poetic” that Ben Prossin, 64, died Feb. 20 as the community ushered in the last Shabbat of Shvat, the month in which Israel celebrates the new year for trees, said Rabbi Howard Morrison, spiritual leader of Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue.
Speaking to the almost 600 people who attended the funeral, held at the synagogue, Rabbi Morrison called Prossin, the executive director of the Jewish National Fund’s Toronto region, “a real mensch, a tree of the field.”
Born and raised in Glace Bay, N.S., Prossin, a lawyer by training, was involved as a youth in Canadian Young Judaea, was founding director of the Atlantic Jewish Council, served as program director at Young Judaea’s Camp Kadimah and was on the executive of such organizations as the Canadian Zionist Federation and United Israel Appeal.
In Toronto, he worked at Canadian Jewish Congress for three years before joining JNF 19 years ago.
Never having married, said Rabbi Morrison, Prossin was in many ways married to the people and to the State of Israel.
“He was an emblem for Israel and the Jewish community in the [Greater Toronto Area.] He lived and breathed the Jewish people.”
Rabbi Joseph Kelman, rabbi emeritus of Beth Emeth, said that one of Prossin’s greatest virtues was that he was not impressed with himself. “He didn’t see himself as great, but rather, a part of a team.”
While at CJC, Rabbi Kelman said, Prossin worked on behalf of Soviet Jewry, “and he energized the Jewish community to realize that we all must contribute. He taught us that we must work with other Jews [for the well-being] of the community.”
Frank Wilson, past JNF Toronto president and JNF’s current national vice-president, said that Prossin was devoted to JNF and its cause, “and all his family should be proud of his legacy.
“The man whom we called Gentle Ben was the consummate fundraiser. He was also our mentor. He always had time for people, and he could defuse an awkward situation with wit and charm. He was loyal to a fault, and [always] open to new ideas.”
Lil Jacobson, who has worked for 19 years as Prossin’s secretary and office manager, was also a close family friend.
She said that JNF was “his life” and two years ago, when he was in hospital for four months, he was kept apprised about everything at the office. “I was there every day keeping him up [to speed].
“He was a dear person, and I find it very strange that he won’t come back to the office. [JNF] will never be the same. There will never be another Ben Prossin.”
Prossin’s nephew, Andrew Prossin, called his uncle his role model.
“He was a true soldier for many causes, and his lifelong priority was Israel and JNF. He should also be remembered for his thoughtfulness, kindness, sense of humour and mischief.”
With the family now far-flung, Andrew Prossin said that this was the first time in 10 years they have all been able to get together at one time. “Uncle Benny did what he did best. He brought people together.”
Prossin was brother and sister-in-law to Albert and Andrea Prossin; Rita Aronson; Sylvia and Irving Brown; the late Molly and Donny Mallman and Hy Aronson.