Eric Persons
I first met Sid over lunch in a small restaurant in Downtown Syracuse. I didn’t know much about him then, but remembered we had a
December 10, 1930 — January 12, 2021
Live stream HERE on February 21, 2021 at 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time.
A photo montage will play in advance of the Memorial at 3:30 PM so feel free to log onto this website at that time to see Sid through the years.
I first met Sid over lunch in a small restaurant in Downtown Syracuse. I didn’t know much about him then, but remembered we had a
I knew Sid for many years. We shared ideas for new products and new ways to do business/nonprofit activity. He was extremely creative. One project
I’ve known Sid and Helaine literally my whole life. There are many things I will miss about Sid. For one thing, his sense of humor.

An amazing celebration of a life lived! I am most grateful that I met and got inspired by Sid. Always combining energy and determination with
“If you believe it and it’s true, stand up for it.” Sid Lerner, Visionary, World Hero
I have known Sid mostly through his companionship and working in partnership with Helaine. I can easily picture both walking down the halls in the
Dear Helaine, Sid’s creativity and insight helped make our organization what it is. Every day we use some tool, do some task, use some process,
Sid was a warm hello. A friendly chuckle. An honest conversation. About things that mattered. He was a creative genius. He paved the way to
We are so sad to hear that Sid san left us in Jan. 12th of this year, but so grateful to see him again today.
Sid was a talented, energetic and generous spirit, and I enjoyed spending time with and learning from he and Helaine over the past five years.
As an employee of AJC I am enormously grateful for the transformative impact of the Lerners on our work. Thanks to Sid’s compassionate vision and
we always looked forward to our dinners together. They filled us with warmth. And because Sid was so very modest we never realized we were
Sid was a creative genius who brimmed over with amazing ideas. I have so many fond memories of Sid offering inspired designs and memorable phrases.
It is a joy and a privilege to work at GRACE and carry on the work that Sid and Helaine have created, and I will
Along with other members of the American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) Executive Council, I have heard so much about Sid and his incredible warmth and wisdom.
Flying to New York for a meeting with Helaine and Sid remains one of my fondest professional memories. While the main topic was animals, Sid
Thank you for including me in mourning Sid’s loss. he was a special person. It was a joy working with Sid alone with all the
Although I was not fortunate enough to spend time with Sid, through my work at American Jewish Committee (AJC), I have seen firsthand the impact
Sid will be missed very much. His support of AJC was crucial and so important. May his memory always be for a blessing.
I am blessed to work at AJC where Sid Lerner’s name is spoken with reverence. He and Helaine have done so much to support our
I had the privilege of meeting Sid (z”l) a handful of times while he and Helaine met with AJC CEO David Harris. Sid always lit
I always enjoyed meeting with Sid, learning from his insights and passionate beliefs. I will miss him.


An honor and privilege to work for you and to help carry out your mission. You are definitely missed. We will not loose sight of
Sid thanks for being a giant in the field of public health. Your passion, devotion and spirit was always felt. Thank you for touching the
My earliest memories are of Sid visiting the farm in his red mustang convertible. He was so cool! Aunt Jean used to brag that he
Though we never met, I will be forever grateful for Sid’s profound impact on American Jewish Committee, where I work, and the world at-large. Sid
I loved the dinners at your apartment in the 70’s; there were always so many intriguing people around. Sid’s rapier wit always stole the show.
Sid was one of the last surviving members of the Strick/ Lebowitz family. We mourn his passing and remember the family times we shared.
Sid, Your stories of creative courage and ingenuity will always be an inspiration. Elizabeth and I hold dear the endless encouragement and guidance you’ve shown
Sid was a man of great energy and passion. Whether he was talking about the Meatless Monday campaign, of which he was so proud, or


Dear Sid – I will always be grateful for your encouraging words, kind support, and amazing ability to come up with tag lines and titles
Sid was a true leader. His (and Helaine’s) guidance and support have been transformative to our work and to me personally. My favorite memories of
I didn’t get to work with Sid much, being on the “other side” of the GRACE office, but when I did, his creativity, passion, and
Sid had a million ideas – really, really great ideas – and he was always interested in other people’s ideas as well. The world is
Sid took me under his wing at Benton & Bowles in the ’60’s and I’ve been blessed to have Sid’s mentorship, wisdoms and friendship with
I am AJC’s Chief Financial Officer and have been with AJC for close to 13 years. I deeply believe in the mission of AJC. As
I had the pleasure of meeting with Sid, often together with Helaine, on numerous occasions. Each time, I couldn’t help but marvel at the speed
As an AJC (American Jewish Committee) staff member, I am grateful for Sid Lerner’s support of our organization’s mission in profound ways. He has left
Sid’s life was a blessing to us all. His positive impact on the world will be felt for generations to come, and for that I
The impact of Sid Lerner’s vision, dedication, and generosity on the world, and specifically on the security and well-being of the Jewish people, was profound
What a raconteur! I loved hearing all of Sid’s stories. Our dinners together were such fun. I’ll miss Sid and love to you, Helaine. xox
Sid, your passion for public health, and improving the lives of people across the globe, has been the inspiration for my own journey in this
Sid was a friend from the moment I met him. His enthusiasm was contagious and his desire to help was appreciated beyond words. Sid and
I loved Sid, whom I had the pleasure of knowing for 20 years. Among the most creative, caring, brilliant, and impactful individuals I’ve ever met.
It was always delightful to interact with Sid on the occasions we were in NYC to meet about Healthy Monday initiatives. He was kind, thoughtful,
I will always cherish the wonderful memories of our times together-including all our New Year’s eve celebrations ! You were an extraordinary human being .And
Cynthia and I were deeply saddened by Sid’s death and feel privileged to have known hims for these past two decades of his life. Sid
I give thanks for Sidney’s long and productive life. He and Helaine did so much to strengthen public health and sustainability, and to a create
I wanted to thank you, Mrs. Lerner, and your late husband, for your visionary and generous support of AJC. Your impact is invaluable. In sympathy,
Sid frequently gave me good advice based on all reading and studying that he had done. He recommended some very good organizations to me in
We feel like we are with you – and if it were a little later in the day we would be cradling a drink, watching
I have loved working with Sid en enjoyed listening to his innovative ideas on how to make the world a better place. I will miss
How we laughed at the last time we had dinner-main course: Head of:Roasted Cauliflower!
Sid, I will always remember how supportive you and Helaine have always been to me. Your words of encouragement in every endeavor that I pursued
We are grateful to join Sid’s friends and wish Helaine all the best. Sid was pivotal in the scientific work of Brij Saxena, and we
Grateful for the many years we have known each other and for good times with wonderful friendship we shared.
Thanks Sid. Thanks for helping to bring my creative ideas to life. Thanks for introducing me to sushi. Thanks for making me laugh. Bud
I’m so grateful for Sid, not only for my livelihood, but for his kindness to me. I’ve worked at The Monday Campaigns for the last
As part of the AJC family, I am the beneficiary of Sid’s generosity and vision. Although we never met, his impact on and belief in
I absolutely adored the time I got to spend with Sid over about 15 years. He was so determined to make the world a better
Sid, My brother Jimmy and I fondly remember you and Helaine coming over to our house every Friday night when we were kids. Jimmy and


I salute Sid for a life well-lived. Sid’s passion enveloped me and gave me my own passion for healthy causes. Every day at work was
Sid was a kind man. A wonderful partner for Helaine. He had a positive impact on some many peolle, as individuals and the universe of
Whether at dinner in NYC or on patio in Bridgehampton, always great conversation about our family and world affairs. I will miss our visits with
Grateful for the many years we have know each other and our wonderful friends. It’s been a long and enjoyable voyage.
Mr. Lerner’s creativity and philanthropy are inspiring. It is a true blessing to have met him. I’m humbled to continue to work to bring his
I am one of Sid’s first cousins. I remember a conversation with Sid right after I finished college. It was about art. I knew he


Working with Sid for several years at Benton & Bowles in the early 60’s, our weekly lunches(introducing me to the joy of tempura and sushi),
On our visits to New York from North Carolina, we always made dates for dinner with Sid and Helaine at one of their favorite restaurants
I’ve known Sid for 20 years now, and I will miss his presence– always a source of something interesting! He reminded me very much of
There was nobody like him, always had a smile and a great story to tell !!!


Sid, I miss your corny puns, impish grin, spirited debates and the fun we had as 2 former ad execs taking on the world of


Thank you for being such a good friend and mentor, Sid! Your constant creativity, infectious sense of humor and sincere generosity made you a one-of-a-kind
I’ll deeply miss working with Sid. There was never a dull moment at The Monday Campaigns when Sid was around. He challenged us to always
Few people have so completely dedicated their time, talents and resources, on behalf of others, as Sid Lerner has. He is a sterling example of
Dear Helaine and family, So much, that is so well deserved, has been said about Sid’s life and legacy, from awards and Honorary Degree citations,
I have known Sid for more than twenty years from my days in Cornell. I remember him as a man of character and firm commitments.
Dear Sid, we will miss you dearly. The few precious times we had together, I always came away inspired and moved by your passion for
A man of warmth, wit and wisdom, conversation with Sid dazzled and delighted, always imparting something fresh and new or provocative. Words were his currency,
Dear Ms. Lerner, May the legacy of your husband and the works that he, and you effectuated, serve to better the world in years to
Sid Lerner was a remarkable man: smart, articulate, and passionate. He cared about the right things and the right causes. Interacting with Sid was a
Sid–a deep hearted man–his loss is a guiding spirit , a memory for a sense of direction and purpose. His wit stopped people in their
When I was a kid the landline would ring like clockwork on Friday early evening. My mom always had the same line” Oh , that’s
With our sincere appreciation for Sid’s generosity and support of the Department of Sociomedical Sciences and the Founder of our Lerner Center for Public Health
It was 12 years ago when my granddaughter was attending nursery school that Sid started his campaign for Meatless Monday. My daughter in law was
Dear Sid, Thank you for your generosity and your vision for serving as our Founder for the Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion at the
My condolences to the Lerner’s, my mother Flo always talk about mr Lerner , Mrs Lerner you are a Gem and you two are beautiful
We so enjoyed our times together. Helaine, you and Sid together are very special to us. Gail and Leonard Davenport
Sid, It was an honor and pleasure to work with you. Sending my deep condolences to Helaine and all who loved you. Bethany Jankunis
Sid, your intelligence and dry humor have been with me since our days at Syracuse thanks to email and facebook..
Thank you Sid for being my mentor and my friend. The world and I will miss you. Rest in Peace, my friend.
Thank you Sid for all the wonderful memories we shared and the great times the four of us had together -we so enjoyed your humor
Sid, your insights and expertise about how to support people’s ability to take care of their health, mixed with immense altruism and desire to contribute
The Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health mourns the passing of dear friend Sidney Lerner. Sidney was a tireless public health champion whose vision
We celebrate the life and mourn the passing of Sidney Lerner, whose extraordinary vision, friendship and advocacy have been indispensable to our successes at the
Animal Welfare Trust mourns the loss of Sid Lerner who we remember as a creative force for social justice issues. His signature project, Meatless Monday,
We are so sad to hear of Sid’s passing. He is a man with a great reach and his legacy lives on through his beautiful
Both Sid and Helaine have been advocates for my work for many years. For that I am deeply grateful. In 2014, my book was published.
Sid – I will always recall our conversations over lunch or dinner. Your enthusiasm for life and making the world a better place was so
Sid – Wherever you are now, in whatever universe or parallel reality, I know you’ll be using your creative genius to make that heaven a
Our common love for Syracuse U brought us from roommates in college to a lifelong friendship we’ve had these 70 years. I am grateful for
Dear Sid, I miss you so much! You sure were the best father figure I ever had. Growing up, you were always such a big
Dear Uncle Sid, We miss EVERYTHING about you…Your bright cheerful hello, anytime we called, your uplifting smile, sharing times together laughing, discussing our lives and
Dear Sid, I was so happy to have met you through the “Syracuse” connection you shared with Vince. What a bond Syracuse was for all
Sid, we will all miss your probing intellect, quick insights, and profound commitment to making this a better, healthier world. You never stopped thinking and
Dear Sid, Your enthusiasm for transforming the world of girls and women for the better, your warm and twinkly eyed greetings, and your generosity of
Dear Sid, you will be dearly missed for so many things including your innovative Meatless Mondays, your warm “how are you’s” every time I called,
Sid, we will miss your brilliant innovative thoughts, your warm smile and laughter, and the love and commitment you brought to making the world a