IN THIS PAGE-TURNING ACCOUNT of a life guided by destiny, Norman Ciment details his humble beginnings as a Jewish kid in the Bronx, his struggles through school, and his remarkable successes as a lawyer, city commissioner, judge, and the first Orthodox Jewish mayor in the USA. Through a series of extraordinary events and challenges, Norman emerges triumphant, using the lessons of the past to build on his future and influence the larger world. Told in his own voice, this is the captivating story of a youth who just wanted a dime, but went on to become so much more than a shoeshine boy. It is a story that reveals the indelible influence of parents, his own unyielding determination, and, above all, the profound power of Divine Providence.
To say that Norman Ciment was a “trailblazer” would be to say that Martin Luther King Jr. was just good for civil rights. His charitable endeavors (in the U.S. and Israel) are legendary. When I think of this outstanding human being, I am reminded of the famous words of Winston Churchill who said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” The author of this book, Norman Ciment, epitomizes this philosophy.
–Judge Robert Grover
Mayor Norman Ciment is a dynamic leader and one of the earliest supporters of the Simon Wiesenthal Center. He understood very well that, despite the Allied victory over Hitler, antisemitism and bigotry had crossed the Atlantic and had to be confronted and challenged. He admired Simon Wiesenthal and accepted his warning that “freedom is not a gift from heaven, but must be fought for each and every day.”
–Rabbi Marvin Hier, Founder and Dean Emeritus of the Simon Wiesenthal Center
For anyone in our generation looking for that blend of inspiration, realness, and a touch of the divine in the everyday hustle, this book hits right in the feels. It’s a powerful reminder that with belief and perseverance, you can redefine your own limits. Highly recommend if you’re into stories that light a fire under you and make you think bigger.
–Montana Tucker, Singer, Songwriter, Dancer
Blessed with a keen intellect and broad vision, Norman Ciment used his gifted civic and communal leadership qualities to develop a vibrant community on the white sands of Miami Beach. His deep passion for Jewish education and culture inspired the growth of the Hebrew Academy of Greater Miami, of which he served as president for many years.
–Rabbi Shraga Gross, Former Principal of the Hebrew Academy and Rav of Netivei Hatorah, Beit Shemesh
Judge Ciment’s recognized intellect and rochmonis are at the root of his creative philanthropy, commitment to Jewish education, and his professional accomplishments as an attorney, Judge, and mediator. A role model for many, he has made a great impact on people’s lives.”
–Judge Alan M. Kuker
About the Author:
Norman Ciment's diverse career encompasses law, mediation, politics, real estate, and philanthropy, all deeply influenced by his Orthodox Jewish faith. Educated at the University of Miami, he embarked on a legal career before entering politics. In 1967, he was elected to the Miami Beach city commission, and in 1971, he was appointed as a state judge by the governor. In 1981, he broke new ground by being elected in Miami Beach as the first Orthodox Jewish mayor of a major U.S. city and then building the first eruv in Florida.
After retiring from his legal practice, he became a prominent mediator, real estate syndicator, and philanthropist focused on charities in Miami Beach and Israel. He pioneered a cyber-education degree program for Charedim in the IDF; created VouchersForLife.com to provide gift certificates from Israeli businesses to victims of terror; and started giveafridge.com to donate Israeli-made appliances to needy families. He is also on the Board of Governors at Tel Aviv University.
Alongside his wife, Joan, Norman's family life, which includes their three sons and their families, remains central to his legacy of service and communal contribution.