-- Page Fifty THE JEWISH NEWS A History of Temple Beth El In April, 1941, Dr. Franklin announced his desire to retire from the active ministry, after more than 42 years of continuous service as rabbi of Temple Beth El, and the board of trustees adopted a resolution on April 22, 1941, creating the status of Rabbi Emeritus for Dr. Frank- lin, as of Oct. 31, 1941. The congregation and its auxiliary organizations w e r e hosts to the 37th Biennial Coun- cil of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations and the concurrent . conventions of the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, National Federation of Temple Brotherhoods, and the National Federation of Temple Youth. (At this conlcave, the National Association of Temple Secretaries was formed and Irving I. Katz, the present ex- ecutive secretary of Temple Beth El, became its first president). Dr. Glazer Elected In the Summer of 1941 a group of members orgahized a new Reform Congregation - Temple Israel-and Rabbi Leon Fram became the spiritual lead- er. At a special meeting of the congregation on Sept. 28, 1941, Dr. B. Benedict Glazer, Senior Associate Rabbi of Temple Ern- anu-El of New York, and a grad- uate of the 1926 Class of Hebrew Union College, was elected rabbi of Temple Beth El. He arrived in Detroit on Nov. 10 and was in- stalled at the Sabbath Eve ser- vices on Nov. 14, 1941. On Dec. 17, 1941, a community dinner was held, honoring Dr. and Mrs. Franklin on the oc- casion of Dr. Franklin's retire- ment from the active ministry, and Dr. Franklin was presented with a citation by the Detroit Round Table of Catholics, Jews and Protestants. In the Fall of 1941, children's monthly Sabbath morning ser- vices were instituted. In Febru- ary, 1942, Dr. Glazer was the guest preacher on the Coast-to- Continued from Page 43 1922 the Temple Arts Society was organized and a well- equipped gym opened. When a fire destroyed the C e n t r al Christian Church, the Temple offered its facilities to that con- gregation for worship. Elected for Life Tenure On Nov. 10, 1922, Dr. Franklin was elected for a life tenure. In 1923 the Bethelite, the Religious School newspaper, was started. A flagpole, dedicated to the boys who gave their lives in World War I, was erected. Dr. Franklin was awarded an honorary LL.D. degree by the University of De- troit-a Catholic institution. In 1924, annual fellowship nights were initiated and the "Temple Affiliated Societies" plan in- augurated, making it possible for the family of every member to participate in all the activities of the auxiliary organizations of the Temple for a nominal sum. The Silver Jubilee of Dr.yrank- lin's ministry here was observed. In 1925, Rabbi Leon Fram of Chicago, a graduate of the 1920 class of the Hebrew Union Col- lege, succeeded Rabbi Berkowitz as director of religious educa- tion, and the reorganization of the School followed. -A new cur- riculum was introduced; the school was divided into Kinder- garden, Intermediate, Junior High and Senior High depart- ments. Religious High School Graduation Exercises were 'in- troduced and Beth El College of Jewish Studies, an • evening school for adults and for the training of Religious School teachers, became the model for many other congregations. Thus, the educational program of Beth El provided educational facilities for children and adults from the ages of 4 to 70. Wives Granted. Membership In 1925, a change in member- ship regulations automatically gave the wives of members membership status. In 1925 and several years thereafter, the Religious services of Beth El were broadcast over Station WSW". On Dec. 13, 1925, the congregation observed its Diamond Jubilee. In 1926 the Fenkell branch of the Religious, School was opened. A cradle roll, where the names of child- ren born to members were re- gistered and an immediate con- tact established by the School with the parents, was instituted. In 1927 the congregation was host to the Jewish Chautauqua Society meeting. In 1928 the first graduation of Beth El College of Jewish Studies was held. In 1929 a branch of the Religious School was established at Northville, Mich., where even today an in- structor is provided by the Temple. The congregation was host to the 40th annual meeting of the Central Conference of American Rabbis. In 1930 the congregation was reincorporated in perpetuity, and the 80th anniversary of its founding observed. In 1933 the Temple Forum, which continued for four- years, was instituted. In 1934 the first laymen's religious service was conducted; the first parent-teachers' meeting _ held , BUSINESS or INDIVIDUAL LOANS on MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE FIXTURES and the congregation observed Dr. Franklin's 35th anniversary. In 1935 the Detroit Temple Group Plan was instituted, to stimulate a greater measure of participation by the members in the activities of the congregation and to give the opportunity to initiate activities and to formu- late policies. Observes 85th Birthday The first annual joint meeting of all the Jewish men's clubs of the city was held. The congrega- tion observed its 85th birthday. In 1936 the Sabbath Eve Ser- vices were re-introduced and Sunday Services discontinued. Sabbath morning services have been held uninterruptedly by Beth El for 95 years. In 1937 Dr. Franklin was the speaker over the Coast-to-Coast "Church of the Air" program and also delivered the Alumni lectures and Founder's Day Ad- dress at the Hebrew Union Col, lege, which was later published in book form under the title "The Rabbi-the Man and His Message." In 1938 a High School Choir was organized. Dr. Franklin spoke for the second time on the Church of the Air program and was elected for the second time president of the Detroit Library Commission. In 1939 Dr. Frank- lin spoke over the Coast-to- Coast "Message of Israel" pro- gram; was awarded an honorary D.D. degree by Hebrew Union College and the congregation celebrated his 40th anniversary. Congregation Cemetery On Oct. 3, 1939, the congrega- tion purchased a site for ceme- tery purposes. The new ceme- tery-Beth El Memorial Park- is owned and controlled by the congregation and operates on the "perpetual care plan." Only uniform markers are allowed. Beth El Memorial Park was dedicated