By COLlive reporter
Dr. Michael S. Maling, a member of the Jewish community in Chicago who was an outstanding philanthropist, passed away at the age of 73.
Dr. Maling, a clinical psychologist who maintained a private practice for more than two decades, served on staff at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and was a faculty member at Northwestern University.
He was widely known for his philanthropic involvement in Jewish causes and educational initiatives. He served as a trustee of Hendrix College and as chairman of the Crain-Maling Center for Jewish Culture. He also sat on the boards of the Associated Talmud Torahs and American Friends of Bar-Ilan University, and was a member of the curator board of Jewish Educational Media (JEM).
Dr. Maling undertook a leading role in JEM’s popular weekly “Here’s My Story” project from its inception, helping bring first-person accounts of encounters with the Rebbe to a global audience. His involvement helped make the weekly series widely recognized among Chabad communities worldwide.
“Thousands whose lives are uplifted by these inspiring stories of the Rebbe every week, owe that in part to Dr. Maling,” JEM Director Rabbi Elkana Shmotkin told COLlive.com, “He had a deep personal connection with the Rebbe, and he enabled many others to experience that connection through the stories he helped publish.”
Dr. Maling was also a director of the Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation and headed the Crain-Maling Foundation, established in 2007 to support education, spiritual growth, cultural initiatives, and medical research. The foundation focused on expanding opportunities in Jewish education and strengthening communal institutions.
Rabbi Zalman Shneur, Director of the Menachem Education Foundation (MEF), described Dr. Maling as a devoted supporter of Jewish education and community causes.
Working together with his mother, Dr. Maling separated their portion of a broader family foundation and dedicated it specifically to Jewish institutions. “At a time when much foundation funding goes to secular projects, he had a vision to support Yiddishkeit,” Rabbi Shneur told COLlive.com.
“He had an amazing heart,” Rabbi Shneur said. “He helped every single person who came to his door. He helped many Chabad Houses, institutions, and individuals. He cared deeply about education, about the Rebbe, and about strengthening hiskashrus.”
Dr. Maling was a longtime supporter of MEF, serving as Honorary Dinner Chairman and being honored several times at the Kinus Mechanchai Chabad. According to Rabbi Shneur, he was known for his exceptional generosity and personal attention to those he assisted.
“He remembered everything about everybody he met,” he said. “He knew families, their stories, and always asked about them. He was a giant of a man with a big heart.”
Rabbi Shneur recalled that he would sometimes give Dr. Maling’s phone number to people seeking help. “Later he would ask me, ‘Why did you give my number?’ I told him, ‘Because you’re one of the few who truly care.’ And he would always forgive me.”
He is survived by his wife, Gina Maling (née Faia); his daughters Marissa (David) Iancu and Elise (Matthew) Williams; and his grandchildren Eli, Ari, and Leah Iancu, and Isabella and Elora Williams.
He was predeceased by his brother Evan Maling, his parents Arthur Maling and Beatrice Goldberg Crain, and his cousin Samuel Feinberg.
The levaya took place on Monday at Chicago Jewish Funerals in Skokie, Illinois, followed by interment at Memorial Park Cemetery. Rabbi Baruch Epstein of Lubavitch Illinois officiated. Eulogies were delivered by Rabbi Shmuel Notik of F.R.E.E., Rabbi Schneur, and Rabbi Shmotkin, while Rabbi Yitzchok Wolf recited Tehillim.
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Dr. Maling was remembered by family and colleagues as a thoughtful mentor, generous supporter of Jewish life, and an individual deeply committed to strengthening Jewish education and connection to the Rebbe.
Baruch Dayan Haemes.
An amazing individual