Monty Hall passed away this past Yom Kippur at the age of 96.
For over 30 years, starting in the early 1960s, Monty Hall hosted Let’s Make a Deal, one of the most popular game shows in television history. He was not only the show’s impresario, he created and produced it, and today, at 91, he is still involved with its creative evolution.
But while Hall has fond memories of the thousands of “deals” he made on his show, when I met him for lunch the other day at the Hillcrest Country Club, he had other deals in mind.
In particular, he told me about a deal he made more than 75 years ago with a Jewish man named Max Freed.
Hall had dropped out of college after his first year because he couldn’t afford to continue. He was living with his family in Winnipeg, a city of long winters in western Canada that attracted many Jews from Ukraine. The Hall clan spent many years struggling financially and living in close quarters.
Max Freed, on the other hand, was anything but struggling. He was a 29-year-old playboy with a thriving clothing company who wore fancy suits and had a reputation around town for living the good life.
One fateful day, Freed bumped into Hall’s father, a kosher butcher, and asked him: “Was that your boy I saw yesterday washing the floors of a warehouse?” The father responded that yes, that was his son.
“Well,” Freed said, “tell him to come by my office tomorrow.”
When Hall showed up the next day, Freed made him an offer. If Hall returned to college, Freed would pay for all his schooling expenses, but with three conditions.
One, Hall’s grades had to be B-plus or higher. Two, Freed wanted a monthly report on his progress. And three, Hall had to promise that one day he’d do the same for another kid. (Freed also asked him to keep the deal confidential, a request Hall gladly ignored nearly 75 years later at our lunch.)
Hall, with the support of his family, jumped at the deal, so Freed asked him to get back to him with a budget.
As Freed reviewed the budget, which included tuition and living expenses, he noticed that Hall had put in only 25 cents for lunch. “Don’t you want a drink with your lunch?” he asked. “Go ahead and add 5 cents for a Coke, and throw in something for haircuts, too.”
Once they agreed on the budget, Hall promptly resumed his studies at the University of Manitoba.
For the next three years, Hall thrived. He was the first Jewish student to become president of the student body, a prestigious position. He had excellent grades and reported regularly to Freed, who kept a close eye on his progress.
Hall’s accomplishments, however, were not enough to get him into medical school, so after graduation he moved to Toronto and began a career in radio broadcasting.
Hall had a restless personality and was always on the lookout for new opportunities. He moved to the United States and began working in television, creating and producing shows. His big break came when he sold Let’s Make a Deal to a major network.
Hall went way beyond his promise to help another kid get an education. He helped charities raise more than $1 billion.
As Hall became one of the best-known names in television, Max Freed was becoming very proud of his “investment.” The two always kept in touch, becoming so close that Freed’s son once said to Hall: “I think he loves you more than he loves me!”
But it wasn’t just Hall’s fame and success that made Freed proud — it was also his charitable work. Hall went way beyond his original promise to help another kid get an education. In fact, he became one of America’s most celebrated fundraisers, helping charities of all stripes raise more than $1 billion.
In the charity world today, Hall is known as the man who doesn’t say no.
A few years ago, Hall heard from a doctor that Freed, by then 99, was nearing the end. He took the first flight to Winnipeg to be near him.
When Hall got to his bedside, he moved his face “nose to nose” with Freed, who was now “mostly blind and mostly deaf.” They talked and reminisced for about 20 minutes.
Finally, putting his mouth close to his friend’s ear, Hall said to the man who had picked him up 75 years earlier while he was washing floors in Winnipeg: “Max, you gave me a life.”
Max Freed, the former playboy who invested in that little Jewish boy he hardly knew, replied, in a barely audible voice: “No, Monty, you gave me a life.”
This article originally appeared in The Jewish Journal.
(27) Mike, October 4, 2017 1:01 AM
A favorite TV show
I use to love Let's Make a Deal. My mother would watch it all the time. The show was great, but I had no idea how great Monty was. Thank you for this beautiful story.
(26) morris schwartz, October 2, 2017 8:08 PM
BD''E
Monty will be buried in one of three coffins. Is he in coffin #1 -#2 or coffin # 3
(25) Tova Saul, October 1, 2017 2:44 PM
That was a fun show
Thanks for the great story. (I never knew so many people carried hard boiled eggs in their purses........)
(24) Stanley R Roelker, October 1, 2017 1:56 PM
Hope
Your story re-enforces the hope I have that good deeds like this from two men who obviously had made plenty of money cared enough to share it with those less fortunate. Beautiful examples they set for the rest of us.
(23) Steve Barnes, October 1, 2017 1:37 PM
Inspiring story
(22) Shirlee Rosenthal, September 16, 2015 3:31 PM
Monty Hall
What a beautiful story about a beautiful man a mench, both Monty and Max Freed. A Happy and healthy and sweet New Year to you and your family. Shirlee Rosenthal
(21) Anonymous, July 5, 2013 4:46 AM
part of our time and rememered
Yes.we never missed "lets make a deal".still vived in my mind.great personality. nice article. and nice to know his life story.
(20) Naomi N., June 27, 2013 4:16 PM
Let's make a deal. - - "For life"
Monty Hall shared his "life deal" he had with Max Freed on "Let's make a deal". The theme: "CHOICES". I can't help but think, that "let's make a deal" is truly the most "Jewish" show ever invented! I appreciate Monty Hall sharing his best Jewish themed show with us. I should have known! Monty Hall's life's Deal, in reality was the base for "let's make a deal"!
(19) Anita Silverman, June 23, 2013 8:10 AM
So proud to be a JEW
It even makes me more proud to be a JEW when I hear or see their names in the media, medicine, Hollywood and entertainment, etc.. What a loss to the WORLD for trying to harm ISRAEL or JEWS around the world..
(18) Michal, June 21, 2013 1:53 AM
Goods deeds
You can never know where the good deeds you do can lead, and how many lives can be benefitted.
(17) Simcha Arona, June 20, 2013 4:51 PM
I had no idea he was Jewish. Some Jewish celebrities say or do something, so. that you know they're Jewish. I grew up in the sixties, and I am sorry and disappointed to say that I never heard of him being Jewish.
(16) Anonymous, June 20, 2013 4:32 PM
University Quotas on Jews at University of Manitoba
The statement that Hall's accomplishments were not enough to get him into medical school tells only a part of the story. When Hall attended there was a quota system at the University of Manitoba that restricted the number of Jews admitted to medical school. Hall was a victim of this quota system.
(15) Mary, June 20, 2013 3:06 PM
Kindness Of Strangers
This is such a beautiful story. I love how Jews come on the scene to help other people whether or not that the other person or group of people are Jewish. This story reminds me so much how a Jewish businessman arrived on the scene and helped my father as well one of his brothers. It happened during the dark days during the Great Depression when my father and uncle were forced to drop out of school against their will in order to support the family. One day, there was a certain Jewish businessman who walked in the store and noticed that both my father and uncle were struggling to keep the store's business afloat... Long story to made short, both my father and uncle sold their business to that Jewish businessman. That same businessman was ever gracious to let my father and uncle to stay and work there along with enrolling my father in a correspondence business school which eventually birthed my father's interests in studying accounting in college while going to school on a G. I.Bill. Although my father and uncle were not Jews, however; my father did state he cannot thank that Jewish businessman enough for his generosity and help. I, too, have such a deep love and respect for the Jews. Blessings! :-)
(14) Brenda, June 19, 2013 11:32 PM
Great!
What a pleasure and delight it was to read that article. He always appeared to be "charming", but now, even more important I know that he is a real "mench"!
(13) Esther, June 19, 2013 2:34 PM
Grew up in Winnipeg
I remember the Freed family from growing up in Winnipeg. Always one of the richest families, but a business spat tore them apart. My granddaughter went to elementary school with a Freed and I remember her telling me how over-the-top his Bar Mitzvah party was. Nice to see such a rich family do good.
(12) tonna, June 19, 2013 2:52 AM
thank you!
Thank you! what a lovely story1
(11) Gerald Lance, June 18, 2013 10:04 PM
Freed's still strong family
What a beautiful article. The Freed's are still very active in Canada and remain a quite, powerful family. Always so great to see a Jew helping another Jew.
(10) Malka Esther, June 18, 2013 7:43 PM
Yasher Koach!
Yasher koach to both Monty Hall and Max Freed! What an inspiring story!!!
(9) cecile, June 18, 2013 6:21 PM
Monty Halls' connection to Hadassah -Wizo, Canada
Montys mother was always very actve in Hadassah-wizo. As a result when he became famous he always had time for us. At the winnipeg Natioal convention, I think in the 70's , he flew in andwas the main honoree and speaker. The convention was packed .
(8) Anonymous, June 18, 2013 5:19 PM
It lives in each of us
It just goes to show you that the spark of yiddishkeit remains lit in every Jew and we must love each other regardless of the level of observance.
Anonymous, June 18, 2013 10:11 PM
Hall & Freed - Heroes
We've always been so proud of Hall and Freed. Both went on to do so much for Canadian charities. I know the Freed family is still around with that huge house on Park Avenue. A touching story for all Jewish Canadians.
(7) Antonio Perez, June 18, 2013 5:08 PM
Let's make a deal
I never knew Monty Hall is a Jew. Another Jew affecting society in a positive way. Great! Awesome! Thank you very much for sharing this. I love hearing the positive.
Fred D Saltzman, June 18, 2013 6:47 PM
Tikun
I had no idea he was Jewish. I'm moved by his changing the world one piece at a time. ( Tikun Olam )
(6) malka jerusalem, June 18, 2013 4:58 PM
Monty and Max
What a wonderful story, so nice to hear nice stories. Refreshing
(5) Anonymous, June 18, 2013 3:06 PM
Monty is a true & loyal man of many talents. We in Canada have alwakys been proud of him & his famly.
(4) B ROGERS, June 18, 2013 2:49 PM
SAYING
MY MOTHER ONCE TOLD ME I SHOT AN ARROW INTO THE AIR WHERE IT L;ANDED I KNOW NOT WHERE CEPT FOR MAX AND MONTY THEY KNOW
(3) Dave, June 18, 2013 2:47 PM
Made my day.Thanx
A real mensch.
His life....A MITZVAH.
(2) Ruth Mendes, June 18, 2013 2:20 PM
Monty Hall is a real mensch
Monty Hall met my neighbor, a very good dentist and renaissance man (artist, pianist, tap dancer, Yiddishist, etc.) and loved him so much that he'd come down to Eastchester NY to have his dental work done. I met him several times and can personally attest that he is a genuine mensch. As famous as he was, he never set himself apart. His mother was a member of Hadassah Canada, so he got his Yiddishkeit honestly.
(1) Nola Crewe, June 18, 2013 2:13 PM
Keeping Faith
Strange but wonderful how the ripples of the original gift have spread to encompass so many. Delightful story of two exceptional men and how each individual can make a difference in the world we live in: a lesson noone should ever forget. Thanks for a great start to my day.