Forbes magazine's annual ranking of the nation's 400 wealthiest individuals in 2004 estimated Fisher's fortune at $775 million – and he poured most of it back into Jewish and other philanthropy.
Co-founder of the Aurora Gasoline company, which became one of the largest independent oil companies in the Midwest, he retired from business in 1963 to devote most of his time to fund raising and philanthropy. As head of the United Jewish Appeal, he orchestrated an international campaign for Israel after the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. He also headed the Council of Jewish Federations and the American Jewish Committee, and was solicited for advice and help on Israeli issues by several U.S. Presidents.
Among his other projects were the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Ohio State University's College of Business, and Detroit Renaissance.
Fisher made his first visit to Israel in 1954, and suggested to then-Finance Minister Levi Eshkol that the country's financial situation might be improved by stemming the flow of immigration. Fisher said he never forgot Eshkol's answer:
"Every Jew in Israel remembers how 6 million fellow Jews died under Hitler because they had no place to go. Even if you don't give us another dime, no Jew is ever going to add to that 6 million. Israel may go under, but one thing we'll never do: We will never close the gates... Israel exists so Jews may exist."
Fisher learned the lesson well. Jewish Agency Chairman Salai Meridor said that Fisher "was the determining factor in the decision to put Aliyah to Israel at the top of the agenda following the opening of the gates of the Soviet Union. In his merit, a million Jews came to Israel instead of going elsewhere."
Meridor called him the "greatest of Diaspora Jewry leaders since the establishment of the State."
Fisher was influential in convincing the Nixon administration to send emergency help to Israel during the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Nixon did not rush to answer Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir's plea for arms and aircraft, and Fisher told him, "I have worked hard for you and I never have asked anything for myself, but I'm asking you now. Please send the Israelis what they need. You can't let them be destroyed."
The Detroit Free Press, writing wrote about Fisher's Jewish philanthropic efforts, noted that he was "credited -- and at times criticized -- for leading and reorganizing every major U.S. Jewish organization."
Fisher's family, led by his daughter Jane Sherman of Israel and Michigan, recently established the Jane and Larry Sherman Family Challenge Fund in honor of Fisher’s 95th Birthday. Jane herself, serving as the national chairperson of the United Israel Appeal, explained at the time, "What better way to celebrate my father’s lifework on behalf of the Jewish people than to follow in his footsteps?" David Sherman, Fisher’s grandson added, "Our gift was from the heart, to show our grandfather our deep admiration for him. He has taught us well. He has always been the one to step up. Now it’s our turn to carry forth his legacy to the next generation."
Co-founder of the Aurora Gasoline company, which became one of the largest independent oil companies in the Midwest, he retired from business in 1963 to devote most of his time to fund raising and philanthropy. As head of the United Jewish Appeal, he orchestrated an international campaign for Israel after the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. He also headed the Council of Jewish Federations and the American Jewish Committee, and was solicited for advice and help on Israeli issues by several U.S. Presidents.
Among his other projects were the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Ohio State University's College of Business, and Detroit Renaissance.
Fisher made his first visit to Israel in 1954, and suggested to then-Finance Minister Levi Eshkol that the country's financial situation might be improved by stemming the flow of immigration. Fisher said he never forgot Eshkol's answer:
"Every Jew in Israel remembers how 6 million fellow Jews died under Hitler because they had no place to go. Even if you don't give us another dime, no Jew is ever going to add to that 6 million. Israel may go under, but one thing we'll never do: We will never close the gates... Israel exists so Jews may exist."
Fisher learned the lesson well. Jewish Agency Chairman Salai Meridor said that Fisher "was the determining factor in the decision to put Aliyah to Israel at the top of the agenda following the opening of the gates of the Soviet Union. In his merit, a million Jews came to Israel instead of going elsewhere."
Meridor called him the "greatest of Diaspora Jewry leaders since the establishment of the State."
Fisher was influential in convincing the Nixon administration to send emergency help to Israel during the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Nixon did not rush to answer Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir's plea for arms and aircraft, and Fisher told him, "I have worked hard for you and I never have asked anything for myself, but I'm asking you now. Please send the Israelis what they need. You can't let them be destroyed."
The Detroit Free Press, writing wrote about Fisher's Jewish philanthropic efforts, noted that he was "credited -- and at times criticized -- for leading and reorganizing every major U.S. Jewish organization."
Fisher's family, led by his daughter Jane Sherman of Israel and Michigan, recently established the Jane and Larry Sherman Family Challenge Fund in honor of Fisher’s 95th Birthday. Jane herself, serving as the national chairperson of the United Israel Appeal, explained at the time, "What better way to celebrate my father’s lifework on behalf of the Jewish people than to follow in his footsteps?" David Sherman, Fisher’s grandson added, "Our gift was from the heart, to show our grandfather our deep admiration for him. He has taught us well. He has always been the one to step up. Now it’s our turn to carry forth his legacy to the next generation."