“I would like to do something before my time is up to make this a better place for everybody — all different types of people and races. I’d love to see a more tranquil environment. I just want to give back. I’ve been fortunate and there’s so many nice people that suffer.”
Sam Tenenbaum Jr. in AL.com, 2021
With great sadness we share the news that LJCC Legacy Member Sam Tenenbaum Jr. passed away at his home early Friday morning. He was 81.
Rabbi Adam Wright will lead a celebration of Sam’s life at The J on Sunday, Dec. 14, beginning at 1 p.m. All are invited.
A professional wrestler who sparred under the name “The Great Kaiser” and a tenor who performed locally, Sam’s colorful background helped craft a lyrical personality. His autobiography, released 10 years ago, is titled The Unmasked Tenor: The Life and Times of a Singing Wrestler.
It was only this spring that Sam was given the Levite JCC’s newly created “Legacy Member” designation for members who have been part of The J for at least 40 years. Sam’s nearly 60-years of membership represented a lifetime at The J.
Sam embodied exactly what we are trying to achieve at The J: community,” says CEO Brooke Bowles. “Whether ‘holding court’ in the TV lounge of the men’s locker room or visiting with members on the Fitness Floor, Sam approached everyone with kindness, warmth, and his trademark quirkiness,” she adds.
“I really believe The J was Sam’s home.”
‘A mensch’s mensch’
Lifelong friend Mike Fowler has fond memories of Sam sitting by the trophy case most afternoons and schmoozing with members and any employees who wandered by. “He always wanted to know what was going on at The J,” Mike says. “We discussed departed members, old members, new members, and — of course — wrestling.”
Mike says that Sam especially enjoyed helping people who needed a boost but always keeping quiet about it. Like taking a young LJCC employee under his wing, for example, convincing him to return to college, and even helping him secure a scholarship.
“As Rabbi Wright put it, Sam was a ‘mensch’s mensch,’” Mike says.
Make a gift in Sam’s memory
Rabbi Adam Wright spoke about Sam during his Dec. 5 sermon:
More stories
Sam’s life story garnered plenty of attention from local media over the years. Below are some excerpts and links to the full stories:
AL.com
They were sitting at poolside at a Birmingham hotel talking and [Arnold] Schwarzenegger asked what name Tenenbaum used as a professional wrestler. At the time, he went by Bob Kaiser. “‘You need something better,'” Schwarzenegger told Tenenbaum, he recalled. “‘You should put a mask over your head, say you’re from Austria like me and call yourself the Great Kaiser.'”
Over the Mountain Journal
One of Tenenbaum’s favorite memories was a match in the 1970s against the popular Bearcat Brown. More than 5,000 fans jammed Birmingham’s Municipal Auditorium to watch the 20-minute match, which ended in a draw. The crowd gave both wrestlers a standing ovation when the match ended. The only problem was, the match wasn’t supposed to end the way it did.
“I was supposed to lose,” said Tenenbaum, laughing. “Bearcat was supposed to win, but was a total gentleman about it. The promoter of the match wasn’t so happy about it. He really dressed me down when it was over.”
Southern Jewish Life
Did wrestling and opera ever cross over? Tenenbaum said his theme song as The Great Kaiser was “Edelweiss” from “The Sound of Music,” and he sang it operatically in the ring a few times at matches.
“I am blessed with all I have been given. I have wonderful family and friends. I’ve gotten to wrestle and sing — the two things I love to do,” he said. “Life is good.”
Photo credits for top banner: (l-r) Over the Mountain Journal, AL.com, Southern Jewish Life, Temple Emanu-El