Affiericam Palish Periodical Carter
Frida y, September 6, 1946
CLIFTON AVENUE - CINCINNATI 20, OHIO
Page Thirteen
DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE and The Legal Chronicle
Art, Drama U. S. Visa Brings Joy to Survivors
and Song
HISTORY OF JEWS
IN MICHIGAN
By IRVING L KATZ
ARTICLE 28
Biographical Sketches of
Detroit Jews
Abraham J. Franklin
ABRAHAM J. FRANKLIN was born in Bavaria, Germany, in
1833 and came to Detroit in the 1850's. He was connected with the
Heavenrich Brothers (Simon and Samuel) Clothing firm as a traveling
salesman. He was a member of Temple Beth El and the Phoenix Club.
Mr. Franklin was one of the leaders of the liberal group in Temple
Beth El who advocated reforms at
religious services in order to en-
hance the beauty and decorum of
Jewish worship. It was he who
introduced, in 1861, a resolution to
establish a choir of men and wo-
men to sing at services which was
carried by the congregation.
Mr. Franklin possessed a fine
tenor voice and had a good knowl-
edge of liturgical music. He of-
fered his services gratuitously as
cantor and choir leader, a posi-
tion which he filled honorably for
25 years. For many years he was
also the Baal Tolteah (Shofar
blower) at the Holy Day Services.
• • •
MR. FRANKLIN was also re-
sponsible for the introduction of
another change at Temple Beth
El—family pews. When the mixed
choir was introduced it was found
that part of the space occupied by
the women in the gallery was
necessary for the choir. Mr.
Abraham J. Franklin
Franklin and Sigmund Rothschild took it upon themselves to remove
the seats reserved for women in the gallery and when the ladies ar-
rived the next Saturday at the synagogue and found their seats gone,
they were compelled, nolens volens, to sit on the same floor where
the men worshipped.
This was the beginning of family pews at Beth El, and it was
not long thereafter that the family pew system was officially sanc-
tioned and introduced.
Mr. Franklin was married to Hanna Hart and they were the par-
ents of Nancy (Mrs. Louis Strauss), Carrie (Mrs. Nathan Bimberg),
and Joseph A. Their grandchildren are Julia and Stella Strauss, Mrs.
Lyman Walters (Selena Strauss), Walter and Sidney Strauss, Mrs.
Myron Mailbrunn (Carrie Strauss) and Franklin Blmberg.
Mr. Franklin died In 1900.
Simon A. Ascher
SIMON A. ASCHER was born in Prussia in 1840 and came to
New York In 1866. The following year he arrived In Detroit and
for a while engaged in the manufacture of overcoats. Later he be-
came associated with the clothing
firm of Heineman, Butzel and
Company, where he was employed
for 25 years. After that he worked
for the City of Detroit.
Mr. Ascher was secretary of the
Montefiore Lodge of the Order of
Free Sons of Israel for 25 years,
president of Pisgah Lodge Bnal
Brith in 1890 and a member of
Temple Beth El. He was known
for his charitable work and was
active in the Poor Commission.
• • •
MR. ASCHER was married in
Germany to Bertha Lewyn and
they were the parents of Minnie
(Mrs. Alex Hirschfeld), Louis,
Ernest, Anna (Mrs. Joseph Marks),
Abe, Pauline (Mrs. Leo Michel-
son), Jennie (Mrs. Herman Meyer.
sohn), Morse, Sol and Ezekiel. Of
the 10 children, only one, Mrs.
Herman Meyersohn of Detroit,
survives.
Simon A. Ascher
The grandchildren of Mr. and
Mrs. Simon A. Ascher are Magnus and Bruno Hirschfeld, Charles
and Josephine Ascher, Rudolph Marks, Mrs. Bertram Good (Alma
Marks), Max, Lawrence J. and Alice Michelson, Mrs. Horace (Lillian
Michelson), Rudolph Meyersohn and Mrs. Max Neuman (Rosalind
Meyersohn).
Mr. Ascher died in 1914.
"GEORGE WASHINGTON
SLEPT HERE" Is the first offer-
ing of the Detroit Civic Players
for the 1916-47 subscription sea-
son. The comedy success by
George Kaufman and Moss Hart
will be presented for three nights
Sept. 12, 13 and 14 at the Detroit
Institute of Arts.
The play concerns itself with
the sale of a two-hundred year
old, stone farmhouse in historic
Bucks County, Penn. and the Ful-
ler family who are the hapless
purchasers.
• • •
Palestine Bureaus
In U. S. Merge
In continuing a well-established
tradition, Junior Hadasash, young
women's Zionist organization of
Detroit, formally opens the year
with membership Teas from 2:30
to 5 p. m. Sunday, Sept. 8.
The teas are a means of com
municating to Detroit women the
aims and activities of Hadassah
for the forthcoming year.
All women, 18-25, are invited to
the gatherings and to participate
in attaining Hadassah goals. Stim.
ulating programs arc in store, the
membership chairmen promise.
The Central Group will give its
tea in the home of Mrs. Adolph
Ehrlich, 1991 Calvert avenue. Mary
Cohen and Fanny Greenwald are
in charge. The guest speaker will
be Mrs. Eliezer Levi, and a mon.
ologue will be given by Charlotte
Kruger.
The Russell Woods Group's tea
will be given in the home of Mrs.
Jack Berger, 4261 Leslie avenue.
Miss Zelda Rosenthal will appear
as guest speaker and musical sel-
ections will be presented, Jean
Quidd, who is in charge, an-
nounces.
The tea for the University group
will be held in the home of Mrs.
Phillip Lipson, 17527 Fairfield
avenue. The group will present
Mrs. Henry Stark as guest speak-
er. The program is under the
direction of Marjorie Salk.
Toby Langer, University Group
president, announces the follow-
ing chairmen as new members of
the board: Phyllis Lindner, pro.
gram; Phyllis Giesler, cultural and
American affairs; Caroline Green.
berg, J. N. F.; and Corinne Wil-
helm, corresponding secretary.
The opening meeting of Junior
Hadassah will be held in the au-
ditorium of WWJ at 2:30 p. m.
Sunday, Sept. 15.
For further information call
chapter president, Gertrude
Strauss, TO. 7.2935, or member-
ship chairman, Rhodine Ungar,
TY. 5-3094.
o■••■o■ o....*.mo...* ■o■ omsem...
"Designers of Distinction"
CURTIS
FLOWER MART
Flowers for All Occasions
•
GIFTS AND POTTERY
•
WE DELIVER
UN. 1-2033.4
18120 LIVERNOIS
(Corner Curtis)
Harold E. Waldman
Norton T. Klein
Wonder Farm
IIONIEO, MICHIGAN
NEW YORK—With a program
calling for substantial expansion
of its service, the Palestine Econ.
omic Bureau will now function as
An integral department of the
Palestine Foundation Fund (Keren
Hayesod) Inc. with offices located
in New York City, it was an-
nounced by Mr. Charles Ress.
chairman of the Administrative
Committee of the Palestine Foun-
lation Fund and chairman of its
Finance and Economic Committee
The Bureau will henceforth be
known as the Economic Bureau
MORIZ ROSENTHAL DIES
of the Palestine Foundation Fund
New York.—Moriz Rosenthal, 83,
(Keren Hayesod) Inc.
The Palestine Economic Bureau famed Jewish pianist„ died Tues.
organized under the auspices of He had been 111 for several years.
the Zionist Organization of Amer.
Ica, in January, 1945, has devoted
its activities toward fostering
trade and commerce between this
country and Palestine as well as
to encourage increased American
investments in Palestine. One of
its major activities was the spon-
sorship of the first post-war Trade
Mission to Palestine in April of
this year. On this tour, 25 out-
standing American industrialists
and businessmen inaug urated
TWA's Middle East service, corn.
pleting the flight to Palestine In
30 hours and 20 minutes of flying
time.
.
Enjoy t e quiet an mufti sur-
roundings of the Hilltop Rest
Home. You'll receive rest and
loving care In the pleasant
atmosphere.
Appetizing and healthful meals
Plenty of milk and Battle Creek
Foods.
Reduce or build yourself the right
way with the correct kind of food
and exercise at the Wonder Farm.
Planned and Built by
CAROLYN NILSON
Certified Stockholm Graduate
For Information
Call CH. 4015 or Romeo 113
NORTHWEST HEBREW
CONGREGATION & CENTER
SUNDAY SCHOOL
•
Final Date for Registration—
SUNDAY, SEPT. 15, 1946
10 A.M. - 12 NOON AT THE BAGLEY SCHOOL
JUST ARRIVED-
•
SILVERWARE—ROGERS 1847, COMMUNITY
and HOLMES & EDWARDS
. •
RADIOS, IRONS, BROILERS, etc., for immediate delivery
Costume Jewelry at Reduced Prices
•
berg.
Tickets can be purchased from
Ben Fingeroot, TY. 5-9919, or any
member of the committee.
Chapter I is comprised of young
men over 21 and young women
over 18.
Jack Kape, membership chair-
man, supplies information regard-
ing this group.
3 Junior Hadassah Groups Launch
Season With Membership Teas
"HOOTENANNY," FOLK SING-
ERS jam session, will be present-
ed the first time in Detroit at the
Art Institute, on Friday and
Saturday night, Sept. 20 and 21,
under the sponsorship of Amer-
ican Youth for Democracy.
The "Hootenanny," featuring
prominent New York folk singers
Pete Seeger, Tom Glazer, Char-
lotte Anthony, and Al Moss, will
be devoted to a different theme
each night.
Detroit's own Barbara Cahn,
former Wayne University student,
now a shop worker at Detrola,
will make her debut as a folk
singer at the "Hootenannys."
' Chapter I, ZOA
Chapter I of the Zionist Organi-
zation of America, Detroit District,
is completing plans for its au-
tumn festival dance to be held at
9 p. m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Con.
gregation Shaarey Zedek. Jack
Qualey's orchestra will provide
music and entertainment and re-
freshments will be available.
The dance committee is headed
by Selma Jakont, who is assisted
by Bess Faxstein, Sol Wildstrom,
Pearl Meisner, Ben Fingeroot,
Maxine Steinman, Ruth Friedland,
Bob Mittenthal and Jack Mcnen-
Overjoyed at the sight of their visa admitting them to
the United States are Paul Aufricht and his wife Mar-
garite, who are starting life anew in Harrison, N. Y.,
with the help of the National Refugee Service (United
Service for New Americans) which is financed by the
$100,000,000 United Jewish' Appeal.
DETROITERS , WILL HAVE the
first opportunity to see the ex-
hibition "The /Arts of French
Canada" at the Detroit Institute
of Arts from Sept. 24 through
Oct. 25.
The exhibition is starting from
Detroit because it is the work of
Edgar P. Richardson, director of
the Detroit Institute of Arts. Since
it will be the first survey ar-
ranged in the United ' States of
the arts and crafts of early
French-Canadians, It already has
attracted the attention of national
art publications and other sec-
tions of the art world.
The purpose is to show the
wood carving, furniture, silver,
embroidery, paintings, and all the
other artistic traditions which
were distinctive of the French
culture along the St. Lawrence
River.
• • •
M. GREENBERG & SON
JEWELERS.
Open evenings Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Sunday till 2130
8931 12th STREET
TY. 6-3020,
New Term Will Commence on
Sunday, September 22nd
•
•
CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT
THE BAGLEY SCHOOL
For Further Information, Phone David J. Miller,
Committee Chairman, UNiversity 3.7100
.