PAGE THREE

THE JEWISH CHRONICLE

1 Y 151

erect twenty-two lectures in eastern
Temple was erected on Woodward ious caused him, shortly after his ar- member of the Central Conference of
lie has worked camps and cantonments under the
rival it Detroit, to organize the Unit- American Rabbis.
Avenue and was dedicated in 1903.
conscientiously and has been a most auspices of the Jewish Welfare Board.
At the time of its completion it ed Jewish Charities.
lie has been the speaker at numer-
He found, upon investigation, that dependable member of the organiza-
was the best equipped and most beau-
ous high school and university com-
tiful Temple in the country. But De- there were many societies and clubs lion. He has filled the office of treas- mencements. For•three years he has
troit continued to grow, in fact to so in the city doing the identical things urer and is now vice-president of the lectured at the Twentieth Century
is. also chairman of
great an extent that Rabbi Franklin and in .many cases not only duplicat- conference. He
club 0 lithe "Literature of the Old
again looked forward to a larger and ing work but also actually participat- the Publications Committee, a din's- Testament."
ing
in
destructive
competition
for
cult
position
which
he is tilling with
more commodious home which would
He delivered the Bacculaureate Ser-
with ili.tincti,on
properly house the huge Religious charitable work. It was possible litssiocs< ability and
Schools and which would take care of through the lack of co-ordination and
the six hundred per cent increase of system then prevalent in all the ex-
membership, which had been added isting agencies fora charity applicant
to receive aid ssr permanent relief
since his arrival.
from at least four distinct sources.
People Respond.
Federation.
The congregation, catching the al -
Rabbi Franklin gathered together
ways progressive spirit of its leader.
representatives
of all the societies and
decided to build at Gladstone and
Woodward. The plans and Specifica- amalgamated the organizations into
55
hat
is
now
one
of the finest social
tions have been drawn up Isy Archi-
He is still
tect Albert Kahn and in a short time agencies in the country.
one of the most active workers on
the new edifice will be erected.
the
hoard
of
directors
of
the
Charities
One of the first problems confront-
ing Rabbi Franklin was the democra- and many of the splendid departments
created as a part of the institution
tization of the synagogue.
Temple Beth El at the time was as are his suggestions carried into frui-
democratic as any congregation any- tion.
'Through his influence in the com-
where, but this was not enough for
a man possessing a high conception munity the Jewish Charities is the one
of democracy, especially democracy organization recognized as the sole
official Jewish agency through which
in the church.
It is also largely
Rabbi Franklin insisted that the relief is given.
Temple should be open for all on all through his connection with the or-
occasions, that pews should be neither ganization that the iist of subscrib-
rented nor sold, that the rich man ers is constantly growing.
There has been no social, civic or
and the beggar coming to the House
of God should be equal, and that philanthropic movement begun in De-
troit
in the last twenty years in which
wealth should not be given opportun-
Rabbi Franklin has not been in some
ity to display itself in worship.
way
identified. His advice and coun -
To this end he maintained that free
unassigned seating should be the rule sel is sought upon every problem con-
MRS. I. OBERFELDER
ISAAC OBERFELDER
at l'emple Beth El. Ile 'ought his fronting the Jewish community.
MRS. M. II. FRANKLIN
lie conceived the idea of a Union
fight and won, not without bitter op-
position. Temple Beth El became Thanksgiving service, and with Dr.
1.ee S. McCollester put it into execu- and credit. He is also a member of neon at the Hebrew Union college for
gregation move too far uptown no under his guidance, the first free con-
years
tion. It has proven a great success committees on "Church and State" the class of 1907. He, sonic
one would attend services even on the gregation. It pointed the way to
ago wrote and delivered a review of
others who have since profitably and has been well attended through and "Investments."
twen-
Holy days.
"The
Bluebird,"and
has
given
it
two
Rabbi
Franklin
also
served
the fifteen years of its existence.
With characteristic vigor and tact, adopted the plan.
Rabbi Franklin has held many hon- terms as president of the Alumni As- ty - seven tittles before different organ-
Perhaps one of the greatest reforms
he succeeded in showing to the satis-
ors in his two decades of service in sociation of the college. Ile is one izations in the city and out.
faction and conviction of all that the he advanced and procured was the es-
lie has occupied the platform of the
Detroit. He has been for years a of the most ardent and earnest sup-
congregation was not in the real es- tablishment of Sunday services.
porters of his Alma Mater and comes Detroit Forum on several occasions,
He felt that economic conditions director in "The Society for Savings."
tate business, and unless sufficient
and
has always acquitted himself
Ile is also a Director of the Ford Re- to her assistance whenever possible.
provision were made for immediate were such that many of his co-relig- public (D'Arcambal Home for Boys).
In spite of activities which are suf- with exceptional credit before this
ionists were forced through no lack
For many years he has regularly ficient to occupy every moment of his most diflicult of all audiences. During
of desire 011 their part to miss ser-
time, Rabbi Franklin has been able to the Liberty Bond calupaigns and Pa-
vices entirely except at the time of the been appointed by various governors
to serve as a Michigan delegate to the contribute a goodly quota to the lit- triotic drive he spoke before huge
High Holydays.
audiences at factories, lodges and
To remedy this ill lie began the National Conference of Charities and erary world.
He edited the "Humane Voice" in clubs.
Sunday services, which met with in- Corrections. He served as a mem-
Some years ago Rabbi Franklin was
ber of the State Comtnittee for Local Omaha, the "Jewish Voice" of De-
stant success.
troit and is now the contributing edi- asked to accept the pulpit made va-
Another innovation which lie advo- Boards of Instruction in connection
cated was the creation of a Supple- with the Selective Service Law.
•
He helped to organize the Detroit
mentary Service to provide for all
who might wish to attend Reform Branch of the Jewish Welfare Board
and became its first treasurer. He
services on the Holydays.
'This plan was also adopted by the evolved the idea of a "Detroit Society
congregation, and Supplementary ser- for Social Hygiene" and was a direc-
vices have been held for two years, tor of it.

enthusiastic and ambitious Rabbi set
before his congregation.
He immediately began to discuss
ways and means of selling the old
Temple. lie met with much oppos-
ition on the part of some who insisted
on holding the Washington avenue
site for an increase in its real estate
ard."
The congregation hearing *these value, and also on the part of those
who maintained that should the con-
orb thought them inspired; after

shies for the exalted work before
and through our co-operation may
is congregation become a useful
ctor in the life of this community,
for good in Judaism's sacred
force
use, a helping hand to that human-
which strives upward and heaven-

!lour,
ashi
th e y.
E
:ash
seeroti
f Kell
ew le
1 ins
who

'ulpit 1'

t,
their

MRS. FRANKLIN'S PARENTS

DR. FRANKLIN'S PARENTS

iday

■ uis

ose of

LE

MICHAEL FRANKLIN

enty years of association with the
raker of them, the congregation is
ably sure they were inspired.
The Helper.
\ nyone looking back over the
les of his earnest endeavors and
srthy accomplishments can say to
us and about hint, with all candor
without flattery, "Verily you have

PRESIDENT OF TEMPLE BETH EL, 1899.

PRESIDENT OF TEMPLE BETH EL, 1919.

lege.

Fran
ongreg
le con
v and u
mding a
also to

CHM)

anklin,
'ongregt
charge,
hat th
old

esponded
in the
conta
neared to
is today

after he
a ■ Icr, that

ore than
expressed

cart and
life.'
to Psalmist
al with
ding to
'e Thy
hou but
I may It

my fri
etcd only
ger the
it, the

puss: tunity
th it a tar

e message

strength
act, that
r duties h
seace and s
ly cause t

can make

•

fl

• • •

,111ing

e

,

lates of el
sweetness.
the resent
le re ..s.ect
;ct oursel
ideals
slum the J
ler a hush
d cringe, a
ignorant P
tent the
not sac
sod!
'hell the

ranks of m

s the Prop! '
I have falls
y h e shoo k
:e of recogs

ho is didn't .
ly not Juda
ed.
to stand fec
,n outlet fa
t want it tc
hat shall lg .
t shall 170
ter, thought
love deegt,
a grander.
ke tonight II
sal ideals, re
of our late
nt little ones
favor upol
0
e strengtD
en your syt

conducted by the Assistant Rabbi of
by nl. the /f,i::•or to
pp oo rinP te Cd "l
He was aF
the Temple.
act on the reception comtnittee wel-
The Pulpit King.
coming l'resident Wilson and served
Such large audiences have attended but refused to participate in the fes-
each service that the congregation is tivities held at the Detroit Athletic
now contemplating the holding of a club because of its undemocratic and
downtown service even after the new bigoted attitude toward his fellow
building is erected.
Jews. lie is a member of the Fine
Rabbi Franklin's pulpit work has Arts Society, the Phoenix club, Wed-
been extremely powerful.
nesday Night club, B'nai B'rith Lodge
He has not only preached upon Bib- and Wilai B'rith club and the Board
heal and other scholarly subjects, but of Commerce.
also upon the issues of the day. In-
With all his other work and con-
deed, it is not saying too much to stantly growing demands upon his
posite the fact that from his pulpit time, Rabbi Franklin originated and
have come forth utterances which the pioneered the thought of establishing
community at large has made issues religious work for students in uni-
of the day.
versities. He felt that the men and
His sermon on "Detroit, the City women in universities would some
Without a Soul," created a whirlwind day be leaders in their respective
of comment and was the subject of cities. It was incumbent upon the
dozens of press editorials.
Jews throughout the country to pro -
It was his lecture on "Poor Hous- vide a means for furnishing these
ing Conditions" which directly gave students with the opportunity of re-
to the people the idea of forming a ceiving the benefit of Jewish religious
Housing Commission, of which he be- service, the better to fit them for do-
came one of the first members.
ing Jewish work when they en-
conditions tered professional life. Accordingly,
His sensitiveness to
which tended to checkmate the poor through local and national assistance
in their strivings to make ends meet he formed the Jewish Student Con-
and at the same time to maintain a gregation of the University of Michi-
proper standard of living, caused hint gan.
Mr. Ginsburg, long a member of Temple Beth El Board, who
to raise his voice in no unmistakable
In passing it may lie said that this
terms for the correction of the same. congregation is in a most flourishing served notably in different offices, will offer Dr. Franklin the con-
He pointed out to the city that one condition. Rabbi Franklin's idea re-
gratulations of the people on his jubilee.
of the worst features of life in crowd- ceived such favorable notice on the
ed tenement districts is its attendant part of other Rabbis that the Central
immorality; that it is hard to keep Conference of American Rabbis today
for of the "Jewish Chronicle," De- cant Is yRabbi Stephen Wise, who had
men and women clean and pure when includes among its committees one
troit. He has published a ritual for gone to New York city.
their is no privacy in their lives. He for religious work in universities, a
"Children's Service" and also a ritual
Rabbi Franklin was waited upon
insisted that a proper solution of the committee headed by Rabbi Franklin
and urged to accept the call by the
housing problem was a duty the com- until last year, when pressure of other for "Sunday Services."
"Orthodox Jew- Portland Committee consisting of
entitled,
His
book
munity owed itself as a matter of work caused him to resign.
ish Customs in Relation to the Nurs- United States Senator Joseph Slue
self-preservation, and that our death
The idea has resulted in the estab-
ing l'rofession" has been reprinted in and D. Solis Cohen.
rate from Tuberculosis would be ma- lishment. of Student Congregations in
nursing journals in the United States
Ile was promised a salary which
terially lessened if proper steps were all the leading universities and col-
and Canada and is now used as a text was nearly , double the salary he was
taken to house the poor in places tit leges.
book in nurses' training schools
then receiving from Temple Beth El.
for habitation.
National Fame.
throughout the country.
Rabbi Franklin promised to lay the
Rabbi Franklin's talks upon this
The late Louis Blitz, one of the unforgotten builders of Congre-
has
Rabbi Franklin's influence
The Rostrum.
matter officially before his congrega-
tion Beth El, was President of the Congregation in 1899, and subject and his own personal investi- passed beyond this city and has been
tion, but"made it clear that he would
gations resulted in the establishment greatly felt in National Jewish organ-
Rabbi
Franklin
is
in
great
demand
xtended to the new Rabbi, Dr. Franklin, the cordial welcome of of a company self-financed by its pub-
as a lecturer. He has been through
izations.
(Continued On Page Four.)
e people.
lic-spirited members, whose purpose
Since his ordination he has been a many states and last summer deliv-
was
To improve housing conditions,
I
en and are and will always be 'a growth of congregational actia ty, t
. and his both urban and suburban, in every
ice for good in Judaism's sacred community would stagnate
practical
way.
11 , e a helping hand to that human- plans would come to naught.
To bring home to the city the im-
lye also proved by Isis optimism
' which strives upward and heaven-
portance
of right housing conditions
and foresightedness that Detroit was
and the evil of poor ones.
When Rabbi Franklin came to De- bound to grow to enormous propor-
To act as a clearing house of infor-
,it his congregation still owed a tiotss, and the location selected at mation.
;Ivy mortgage on the old Temple. Erskine and Woodward would soon
Model Housing.
the
people.
The equipment of the building was be near the domiciles of
To furnish advice to those interest-
To his gratification and to the
ry poor. and totally inadequate to
ed in housing reform and generally to
re for the program and the pace the credit of the congregation, the new promote popiffar interest in the sub-
ject.
To aid in the enactment and en-
forcement of laws that will prevent
the erection of unfit types of dwell-
ings; to bring about a reasonable and
practical improvement of the older
buildings and to secure reasonable
scientific and economic building laws
Rabbi Franklin secured a donation
from David Nederlander of a vacant
lot to erect a model tenement on Ers-
kine street for the Jewish Widows
Aid Society, putting into practical
use his ideals on the subject.
ran
When Juvenile Delinquency
rampant in Detroit Rabbi Franklin
was one of the first to advocate spe-
cial treatment for juvenile criminals
and as a cure for some causes which
led to juvenile delinquency he ad-
r
4
vanced the idea of establishing mu-
• • Pta • - 4 '
,
nicipal (lance halls.
•■ •
stilt S
idea
lie was the originator of this
xt
,
1
.47,
P
1 ,'"?r ,
•••••
in the city. His plait was to have
places operated by the city under cor-
rect supervision and chaperonage,
usir
where young men and young women
might enjoy a social evening without
harm coming to any of them. The,
9ergrigr4ON
.
establishment of these dance halls re-
-
sulted in much good, temptation tend
When this Temple was built it was universally recognized as the
ing toward crime disappeared tc. a
finest in the United States, but the growth of the congregation has
great extent and fewer cases cattle to

BERNARD GINSBURG

LOUIS BLITZ

TEMPLE BETH EL AS IT NOW IS.

TEMPLE BETH EL, 1899.

ri"'"4",°".114

In this Edifice, ore the site of the present Y. W. C. A., Dr. Franklin
delivered his inaugural sermon.

court.
The interest held by Rabbi Franklin
for all matters social as well as relig-

already made necessary a removal to a larger House of Worship

and work.