Oh Brother! He’s Been A Big One

Marc Mostman recalls the first time he saw “Star Wars.” “Iremember waiting in line at the Avco at Westwood,” said the 35-year-oldattorney.

While most grown men in their 30s no doubt recall the firsttime they were taken to see the 1977 science-fiction classic, Mostman’s memoryof the pop culture milestone is particularly fond because he was taken to seethe film by Karl Sussman, his Jewish Big Brother.

Mostman, whose parents divorced when he was 4, got Sussman ayear later as a Jewish Big Brother (JBB), the program that pairs young adultmales with young counterparts, ages 5-12, who are lacking a father figure intheir life due to divorce or death.

“The fact that I had Karl in my life as my Big Brother, itwas one of the best things that ever happened to me,” Mostman told The Journal.

This week, JBB will honor Sussman, its past president(2000-2002), who for decades has visited temples and men’s clubs as a tirelessadvocate to enlist volunteers and solicit donations for the organization. Thedirector of Credit Suisse will receive the Sydney J. Rosenberg LifetimeAchievement Award at the Jewish Big Brothers/Camp Max Straus 11th annual dinnerand auction gala on Jan. 18 at the Century Plaza Hotel.

Originally from North Hollywood, Sussman lost his father, afurrier, when he was 10. Sussman then found a paternal figure in Rabbi AaronWeiss at Valley Jewish Community Center, now Adat Ari El in Valley Village.

“I found great comfort being around the temple,” Sussmansaid.

At 23, Sussman was introduced to JBB through a friend. “Iwent to the meeting,” Sussman recalled. “The following day, I called a socialworker.” Before he married at 34 and had two sons, Zach, now 26, and Josh, 21,Sussman mentored five youngsters through JBB.

The 63-year-old’s community involvement transcends JBB. Hehas also been active with the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of ReligionBoard of Trustees, Young Leadership of the United Jewish Appeal, Jewish Homefor the Aging and the board of Friends of Sheba Medical Center, of which he isa past president. Sussman and his wife, Dee Dee, are also founding members ofthe Skirball Cultural Center.

“The survival of the Jew is very important to me, said theTarzana resident who also has the honor of holding the title of Big Brother of1984.

Survival of the Jew is also very important to Los Angeles’JBB, one of several such entities nationwide. Doug Gold, the Los Angelesgroup’s president, has only been with the organization for about six months.However,  the former computer software company chief financial officer canrelate to its mission.

“Personally, I’ve always had a passion for nonprofits,” Goldsaid. “What I connected with here is that I’m Jewish, and I was raised by asingle parent, so I understand it completely.”

The Los Angeles JBB has plenty of work ahead in 2003. Twoyears ago, the national JBB merged with Jewish Big Sisters of America (JBS),thus freeing up Los Angeles’ JBB to officially incorporate JBS into itsprogram.

Jewish Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Los Angeles (JBBBS) iscurrently looking for Little Sisters to match with the numerous Big Sisters whohave signed up. For this first year, JBBBS hopes to match about 20 Sisters, ascompared to the 150 paired Brothers.

The organization, which has 87 years of history in makingmatches, will also launch a school-based mentoring program. Gold’s goal atJBBBS is to nurture the new mentors, to “make more friends and serve morekids,” to enlist more adults to a minimum one year JBBBS commitment and tohelp  reverse the decline in the U.S. Jewish population that was recentlyrevealed in  a United Jewish Communities survey.

Gold explained that Sussman was essential in helping himcome up to speed when he came aboard JBB.

“I don’t think you can find a better representation for whatJewish Big Brothers and Jewish Big Sisters stands for,” Gold said.

While Sussman officially mentored Mostman through JBB foreight years, he never really left the picture.

“Karl’s been at my graduation from high school, college, lawschool,” Mostman said. “He’s been there for everything.”

Sussman incorporated Mostman into his extended family, alongwith two of Sussman’s other JBB matches, Richard, now 48, and Mindy, 33. Thatmeans that Sussman’s Little Brothers and Little Sister have attended several ofhis Chanukah and Passover functions over the years.

“I was matched with Karl before he was married, and now hehas two kids,” Mostman said. “His kids were ushers at my wedding.”

Today, Mostman mentors 13-year-old Jeremy, and after fiveyears of tending to his own Little Brother, he saw the young man take to thedais at his recent bar mitzvah.

“I see a kid who doesn’t have a male influence,” he said ofJeremy, the product of divorced parents. “He was a lot quieter and shyer, andnow he is involved in school plays. He’s a ham.”

The JBB program, Mostman said, having learned from bothsides of the equation, instills confidence in young people.

“Jeremy’s become more assured in who he is,” Mostman said.”He’s talking about a girlfriend now. Thirteen is such a tough age. It’s niceto see that he is adjusting.”

To get involved with Jewish Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Los Angeles, call (323) 761-8675 or visit www.jbbbsla.org .