Harvey Schloss’ desire for social change came early. As a child, his family moved from New York to South Carolina, where he came face-to-face with the realities of racism. Those early experiences had an impact on a man who led a life marked by service to the Jewish community and beyond.
Schloss, a Palo Alto resident, died unexpectedly from a fall on April 3. He was 74.
He served as president at his synagogue, Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills, where he founded the first social action committee in 1975. He also brought his passion for social justice to his term as president of Jewish Family and Children’s Services, where he was devoted to many issues, including the resettlement of Jews from the former Soviet Union.
“Harvey helped organize to welcome these folks and helped them acclimate to all that was new,” said Daryl Messinger of Palo Alto, board of trustees chair of the Union for Reform Judaism, speaking in a JFCS video honoring Schloss made earlier this year.
He was recently feted at JFCS’ Fammy Awards gala on March 17 as a “champion for children and families.” Over the past few years he had become a persistent advocate for solving the problem of unequal access to early childhood education and development in California.
“He wasn’t just a volunteer,” said Beth Am executive director Rachel Tasch. “He was the one who went up to Sacramento and lobbied politicians.”
He met his wife, Andrea, on a train when he was 17 as they were heading off to be counselors at the same camp in Maine. They both attended the University of Rochester before Schloss earned a master’s in international relations from New York University. Before retiring, Schloss worked in technology and finance, serving as the chief operating officer, general partner and managing director of the venture-capital Mayfield Fund.
He also worked with Rebuilding Together Peninsula, the Palo Alto Art Center Foundation and the Jewish Public Affairs Committee, and sat on several boards, including Rhoda Goldman Plaza, and was vice president of Community Working Group, which seeks affordable housing solutions.
He was an avid biker, celebrating his 74th birthday last November by riding 87 miles with friends in the Bay Area hills.
His work touched countless lives, from those he inspired with his tireless work at Congregation Beth Am to the community members he led at JCFS, and the people he helped to live a safer, more secure life.
“Harvey is my hero,” Beth Am Rabbi Janet Marder said in the JFCS video, echoing the sentiments of many.
Harvey Schloss is survived by his wife of 52 years, Andrea, his daughter, Rabbi Janine Schloss, his son, Larry Schloss, and five grandchildren. Funeral services were held April 5. Donations are welcome to Congregation Beth Am or Jewish Family and Children’s Services’ Schloss Family Endowment Fund.