a regular player.
Leon also made time for religion. “Leon Hess loved coming to the synagogue and participated in a major way in our endeavors. Whenever I called on him, he would say, ‘What’s on your mind, rabbi?’ The truth is, whatever the request, the result was kindness, compassion, and generosity,” said Senior Rabbi David H. Lincoln of the Park Avenue synagogue.26 The synagogue, where Ralph Lauren is a congregant, has a dress code described as “Chanel,” and membership dues that can exceed $5,000 a year per family, for those who want access to prime seating at holidays like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Leon was known to be in temple for all of the high holy days on the Jewish calendar. Writer Earl Ganz tells the story of the ribbing he took from a group that included Leon and David Wilentz (who met for coffee at a back booth in the Busy Bee diner) for not knowing what tefillin were. The group ended up walking Earl to a nearby synagogue and solemnly wrapping the straps that held the small leather boxes used for morning prayers around him with a prayer shawl. “With that beard he looks more Jewish than any of us,” Leon said.27
Leon and Norma would also go to horse races at Monmouth Park, joining her parents, and ultimately bringing their children and grandchildren. One report tells of Leon betting $3 or $4 on a race and giving away the tickets. While Leon was a big supporter of the arts, including making large donations to Lincoln Center, his visits to the Metropolitan Opera were punctuated, during football season, with intermissions spent tuning in to the radio to catch sports scores.
The Hesses’ social life largely spun around Leon’s growing business network, as they entertained bankers and colleagues at home, indoctrinating their children – especially John – in the corporation’s culture and preparing John to run the rapidly expanding business.
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