The genius of Teddy Kollek

Teddy Kollek, the former mayor of Jerusalem, was Falstaffian in both girth and mirth. He loved his town the way former Mayor Ed Koch loved New York City. And like Koch, Kollek made it a point to immerse himself in the community every day. Citizens would find him on the streets chatting up shopkeepers or jawing with discourteous tourists. His name and phone number were in the book.

Those were simpler times. More generous times.

Kollek died Tuesday at age 95. The Associated Press called him a man of "vision, grit and charm" who held the splintered city together for nearly three decades. He was a Zionist but also a practical man. And he set a tone for debate and discussion — whether it involved missile strikes or transit worker strikes — that gave Jerusalem a welcoming, almost pleasant air. And that image not only helped with tourism revenues, it bought the city needed goodwill in other capitals of the world.

Kollek was his own man, often scolding others when the political "tea leaves" demanded concession. During a campaign, 200 Orthodox Jews spat on him and called him a Nazi. But Kollek always gave as good as he got. And what he gave the city were many wonderful monuments to culture and the better side of human nature. He was called "Mr. Jerusalem" and compared to Herod the Great.

Sadly, he has taken his grand frame and grand visions to the grave. His ability to inspire trust is missed. When Kollek took the reins of Jerusalem in 1965, it was a city divided between Israeli and Jordanian rule. The core of town was a war zone. After the war of 1967, 70,000 angry Arabs were brought into the city's fold and Kollek was thrust into the role of shepherd. He tore down town symbols of division — walls and guard stations — and tried to create an atmosphere of commerce and courtesy. His legacy lies in the fact that, despite some ulterior motives, he was able to create a city that buzzed and hummed like a hive.

Needless to say, Kollek himself will be missed. But missed even more will be his style of hands-on, idealistic leadership that turned a token position into a true force for understanding.