Gorman’s CEO Honored With Top Jewish Award

SOUTHFIELD — Gorman’s Home Furnishings & Interior Design Chairman and CEO Bernie Moray has been named as one of Jewish Senior Life’s “Eight Over Eighty” recipients.

A native Detroiter and Franklin resident, Moray, 92, is being honored for his practice of Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) throughout his life, including being a long-standing volunteer in the community and his dedication to maintaining strong Jewish values.

“I believe you are either born with a feeling of obligation or not,” Moray said. “I have been very fortunate throughout my life, both personally and through my business, and feel it is only humane to help my fellow man.”

Moray has been volunteering all his life but really became involved in giving back after the completion of his military service and when he entered the workforce in the 1950s. His main focus is on the Friendship Circle, which he has supported since its founding. He also is a supporter of numerous other Jewish organizations and secular ones. Through Gorman’s, he has raised more than $1 million for nonprofits such as Toys for Tots, American Cancer Society and Children’s Hospital of Michigan.

Moray has served as the chairman and CEO of Gorman’s since 1965. He continues to work six-days-a-week overseeing the retailer’s five stores throughout Michigan.

He is a past president of the National Home Furnishings Association and was named “Master of the Game” by Furniture Today last December.  He also is a former executive committee member of the Interior Design Society and currently serves on the visitor’s board of Wayne State University Business School.

He will be honored at a luncheon on May 4 at Congregation Adat Shalom , 29901 Middle Belt Rd. in Farmington Hills. Proceeds from the event will benefit JSL’s Kosher Meal Program.