Much has been written about Sheldon Adelson's accomplishments in recent days. I would like to share a more personal side, a side I saw as a friend.
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I met Sheldon about 10 years ago when he hosted me as a member of a group of Jewish businesspeople in his office. We would meet again a few years later when we were both made honorary members of Jewish fraternities. A short while later, we met once more through my philanthropic work with my wife, Dorit. We had the honor of meeting Miriam and Sheldon at an event organized by the Israeli American Council when I served as chairman of the organization. We had an immediate bond that is difficult to describe. What impressed me in my meeting with one of the world's wealthiest and most influential couples wasn't their wealth or influence, but rather their simplicity, humility, vision, and infinite generosity.
The more I got to know Sheldon, the more I came to admire and love him. He always did what he believed in and always believed in everything he did. He didn't care what others thought about him, and he wasn't looking for recognition or publicity. He certainly wasn't politically correct; he was real. I once asked him why he didn't have a public-relations representative like other people of his stature, and he replied that his work and his contributions were not for public relations purposes; He was doing what was necessary and right.
He was very sharp and saw what most people could never even imagine. That was true in matters of both business as well as philanthropy. He was a man who saw the big picture but at the same time saw and understood the minor details. He was a man of the people and always respected everyone no matter who they were. Anywhere he went, people asked to speak to him or take his picture, and he was always happy to oblige, even if there were dozens or hundreds of people seeking his attention in one evening. He was a family man who loved and cared for his family, and his relationship with Miriam was exceptionally inspiring. Even though they could always spend time and travel with the wealthy and influential, they always preferred their friends and the simplicity of what was real.
From the many hours I spent with Sheldon, I learned to be a better businessman, philanthropist, and person. He was a guide, a mentor, and a source of inspiration. He was the good friend you always dreamed you'd have. There was a moment last Friday when I was about to call him to wish him a Shabbat Shalom, just as I would every week, regardless of what end of the world we were in at the time.
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I already miss smoking a cigar with you at the end of the day, miss our daily phone calls, miss traveling with you, and enjoying a cappuccino at the piazza. I miss meeting the Taglit-Birthright participants with you and hearing them share with you how their lives had changed. I miss telling you what's going on with me and hearing your advice. I miss you as a friend, and I cannot comprehend that we will never meet again. I thought you would live forever because you were larger than life.
Sharon (Shawn) Evenhaim is the founder and CEO of the Los Angeles-based California Home Builders, A Division of Evenhaim Industries Corp, and is a board member and chairman emeritus of the Israeli American Council.
