H Bernard Smith

of Aaron, Ariel, and Ilana Leva; and, Kai and Ari Smith, deceased brother of Rabbi Joseph Smith and deceased sister Anita Eisenbach.

Born in Brooklyn New York, proud graduate of City College New York, attended 4 years Seminary College of Jewish Studies, Jewish Theological seminary. Served honorably in the Korean War, came to Cleveland 1952 and graduated Case Western Reserve University with a Master’s Degree in Social Work. Worked Jewish Children's Bureau/Bellefaire, Family Services Association (now Center for Families and Children) and the Welfare Federation (now Center for Community Solutions). Under President Kennedy's bold new approach to community based mental health services, Mr. Smith worked with a citizen's committee to develop the mental health plans for Cuyahoga, Lake and Geauga Counties. Upon its completion he surveyed legislation in other states and with the Ohio Legislative Services Commission helped write

legislation that established community mental health boards. Then he served as the Executive Director of the Cuyahoga County Community Mental Health Boards for 10 years during which time he planned, developed and funded with federal, State and county funds new outpatient, residential, clinical and rehabilitation services for emotionally troubled and mentally ill persons. In 1978 he moved to the Washington DC area and became the first Director of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), a newly formed family self-help support, education and advocacy organization on behalf of individuals with serious mental illnesses. He organized and provided testimonies before U.S. Congressional Committees, the National Institute of Health and helped grow NAMI Affiliates into the most potent mental health lobbying and support group at national, state and local levels. After 4 ½ years Mr. Smith returned to his clinical practice as a psychotherapist in McLean Va. where he then resided with his wife. They returned to the Cleveland area in 2003.

Services, Friday March 10, 11AM, at The Temple-Tifereth Israel Chapel, 26000 Shaker Blvd, Beachwood

OH. Interment Mayfield Cemetery. Contributions to NAMI https://namiohio.org/donate/

or Temple Tifereth Israel https://ttti.org/giving/

Arrangements under the direction of BERKOWITZ-KUMIN-BOOKATZ MEMORIAL CHAPEL