Herman ז״ל & Anita ז״ל Blumenthal
Herman and Anita Blumenthal dedicated their lives to building a strong community and their legacy is one of commitment to civic affairs and tolerance for all faiths. The Blumenthal Foundation, established in 1953 by I. D. Blumenthal, Herman and their spouses, continues to serve those causes.
The youngest of six siblings, Herman Blumenthal was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1937, Herman joined his brother’s business, Radiator Specialty Company, and moved to California to oversee a division of the company. It was there he met Anita Sutker, an accomplished young singer, performing professionally on radio and on voiceovers for Hollywood movies. They were married in 1944 and returned to Charlotte.
Herman worked side-by-side with I. D., as Radiator Specialty evolved into a major corporation and family business. Over time, Herman took over the leadership role for the company.
Herman and Anita were committed to a broad array of charitable interests and motivated by the lesson learned early in their life that, “if a community is good to you, you need to be good to the community.” Their imprint can be found throughout Charlotte and as a link between Charlotte’s Jewish and secular communities. In addition to the Blumenthal Foundation, there are numerous endowment funds that were established by the Blumenthals to support a variety of Jewish organizations. Herman, very committed to Jewish education, founded the Carolina Agency for Jewish Education (CAJE). Wildacres Retreat is a living legacy to the Blumenthals’ dedication to the betterment of human relations.
Along with other key Jewish community leaders, Herman was responsible for the purchase of 55 acres that today make up the Shalom Park campus. He served as the founding President of the Park, the first multiple use Jewish complex in the country. Herman gave one of the lead gifts to begin the fundraising campaign for the Park, and also gave one of the first gifts for the Park’s expansion.
Later, Herman served as President of Temple Beth El and the Jewish Community Center. Anita served as Sisterhood President, sang in the temple choir, and was active in Hadassah and B’nai B’rith Women. They were both active supporters of the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte and many other worthwhile Jewish organizations.
When Herman passed away in 2001 and Anita in 2005, they left behind a legacy of philanthropy, community service and Tzedakah.
ז״ל Of Blessed Memory
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