Friday, April 4, 1947
THE JEWISH NEWS
Page Six
Detroit Jewry's Dean in Challenging Role
Community Acclaims Fred M. Butzel
As Chairman of Historic AJC Drive
C
ONFIDENCE has been raised to a high level in the ranks
of leaders and workers in the 1947 Allied Jewish Campaign,
with the assignment of the two major posts—the General Chair-
manship and the chairmanship of the Special Gifts Division — to
Fred M. Butzel and Maurice Aronsson.
In a special article which appeared in The Jewish News on Aug.
28. 1942, Julian H. Krolik wrote as follows in tribute to Mr. But-
zel, who is recognized as the Dean of Michigan Jewry:
To me, one of the most interesting and impressive aspects of
his personality is what might be called its contradictory nature.
Here is the senior member of a large law firm who practices law
little and respects even less its technicalities. He has no social as-
pirations but there are few persons anywhere whose presence is
more sought after at social events of all kinds.
Although he has never sought public office and has seldom
been active in politics, mayors, governors and judges are almost
constantly seeking his advise as to appointments and policies.
He has been uninterested in acquiring wealth for himself, and
gives beyond his means. Yet there are large numbers of business
and professional men who do not take any major financial step
without his advice.
Loved by All Religious Elements
A life-long member of Temple Beth El, there has probably
never been a Detroiter more loved and respected by orthodox and
conservative elements.
He himself has contributed and has secured from others substan-
tial funds for medical education and hospitals but until recently
there has been no man of my acquaintance who neglected his own
health more.
Of his activities: I will endeavor to touch some of the high-
lights:
He transferred from the University of Michigan to the Detroit
College of Law so he might read at home to his father whose sight
was then failing. One of his first community enterprises was to
teach English composition to boys who had had to leave school
early. There began an active interest in young boys which never
has ended. He organized manual training classes for the old Self
Help Circle. He pioneered in the organization of boys' self-govern-
ing clubs. These, in contrast to former procedures, were run en-
tirely by the boys, without interference or unasked-for advice from
their elders. The Trysquare Club was the first. Its alumni and
those of other similarly organized clubs comprise today a large
number of our outstanding leaders in community work, in com-
merce, and in the professions.
Helped Found Scouting in Detroit
Early in the century Gen. Sir Baden Powell came to Toronto
to tell about the Boy Scout movement which he had founded.
Fred and a few Detroiters went there to listen and confer. On
their return they founded the Boy Scout organization in Detroit.
And he was one of the early advocates of foster home care for
children.
In World War I he was chairman of both the War Camp Com-
munity Service for this area and of the Home Service Section of
the Red Cross. Not long after U.S. entered the war came the pres-
—Photo by Paul Kirsch, Jewish Nevis Staff Photographer.
sure for a merger of war relief campaigns. He was one of the rnpst
active in the establishment of the Detroit Patriotic Fund.
accepting
chairmanship
of Allied Jewish Campaign.
FRED M. BUTZEL
He was one of the few American-born Jews who ac-
tively espoused Zionism in its early years. He was hon-
OrPrY chairman of the local Zionist district several times.
for Wayne County, chairman of the Jewish Welfare
been outstanding in his constructive help to refugees.
The pro-bre-His facing, the Negro also have enlisted
Board of Michigan, a member of the County Auditors
His ingenuity in devising plans for helping them to
his interest. He has Breen On the board of the De-
Committe -on hospitalization for the indigent, on the
make a new start here has been of incalculable value.
troit Urban League for years and is at present Presi-
committee to investigate charges of cruelty in the
Ever since the organization of the Jewish Welfare
dent of Parkside Hospital, a Negro institution. He has
Wayne County Training School and was a vice-presi-
Federation, he has been chairman of its Executive Com-
helped finance the college education of many promising
dent of the Metropolitan War Chest during the war.
mittee.
He
has
carried
the
responsibilities
of
chairman
of
Negro boys.
the Allied Jewish Campaign.
Even though he performs with complete faithfulness
Good Judge of Human Nature
Active in Business Fields
the organizational duties that he accepts, he gives much
To
me,
his outstanding characteristics are his almost
time out of every day to the problems of individuals.
Naturally, such abilities as his have been sought by
unerring judgments on human nature, his uncanny
Despite his major interest in social problems, the
national as well as by local movements. He has long
accuracy in forecasting what people are likely to do,
breadth of his capacities has also been demonstrated
been a member of the governing boards of the Ameri-
his keen, incisive and fair mind, his absolute integrity
in the business field. He was from the beginning a
can Jewish Committee and of the Joint Distribution
and his all-encompassing sympathy with the various
director of the Detroit Motorbus Co. which pioneered
Committee. He was vice-president and for a short time
problems that confront human beings. His encyclo-
in the furnishing of bus service here.
acting president of the School for Jewish Social Serv-
pedic knowledge of what is going on in every field of
He was vice president of the Detroit Board of Com-
ice.
work is astonishing.
merce and is now a director of the Detroit Federal
I doubt whether anyone other than himself knows
In either a group or an individual conference, Fred
Savings and Loan Association.
the total number of boys for whom he has advanced
always creates great respect for his knowledge and
He
has
always
found
time
to
continue
an
active
funds for college education.
helpfulness. The better you know him, the more you
interest in music. Many people, young and old, reg-
In recent years his position as trustee of several of
realize this and the more deeply do you love the man.
ularly attend musical sessions at his home.
the Aaron Mendelson trusts has enabled him to direct
Let's hope that for many years he can continue to
At present, in addition to the activities outlined
in a unique way assistance to education, social service
be what has been said of him so often. "Fred Butzel is
and
many
more
not
mentioned,
he
is
acting
chair-
and to unfortunate indiiriduals.
more than a man, he's a national institution."
man of a draft board, was vice-president of the U. S. 0.
As chairman of the Resettlement Service he has
Aronsson, Dynamic Businessman,
Leads Special Gilt Campaigners
Maurice Aronsson, whose as-
sumption of the chairmanship of
the Special Gifts Division of the
Allied Jewish Campaign has giv-
en great impetus to the historic
effort to raise $5,335,000 during
the coming weeks, has earned his
laurels as a dynamic leader in
the outstanding community move-
ments of Detroit.
Born Dec. 11, 1892, at Halm-
stad, Sweden, he was given the
Biblical name of Moshe and re-
ceived his early education in his
native land. Following are high-
lights of his career.
Genius in Salesmanship
The democratic community in
which he was born gave him the
opportunity to start school at 6,
and to complete high school at
16.
At that time he already pos-
sessed marvelous genius in sales-
manship and persuaded his
parents to permit him to come to
America shortly thereafter.
His first job in the U. S. paid
him $3 a week. The seriousness
which he put into his work in the
"Land of Plenty" soon taught him
the secrets of success.
At 21 he had saved enough to
go into business and from that
day his life has been an eventful
succession of business achieve-
ments which have culminated in
the direction of one of the lead-
ing printing establishments in the
Middle West.
Aronsson is essentially a busi-
ness man. To the community at
large he is known as a great hu-
manitarian and a big-hearted
leader. In reality, he is a very
humble person—modest, sincere
and friendly—and he has won the
love and affection of his co-
workers.
_Known for Good Deeds
During his career he has given
his services to many worthy
causes, always discharging his
duties with a devotion which has
elevated him to a position of lead-
reship.
His name today has become
synonymous not merely with bus-
iness, but with good deeds eman-
ating from a willingness always to
listen to those who constantly seek
his advice and help.
Aids Fellow-Citizens
Untold numbers of persons in
Detroit are indebted to him for
assistance. An observer who
spends a day with him - at his
office will at once become aware
of a beehive of activities that
have brought him the meritor-
ious recognition of his fellow
citizens.
MAURICE ARONSSON
He has put four boys and one
girl through college. Having leadership dates back to the early
achieved success "the hard way,"
it must be a source of deep satis- days of his settlement here in
faction to him to be able to feel 1914. He is active in civic . and
that he can give to others the erF: social causes, is a charter mem-
couragement he himself needed ber of Co-Operative Club of De-
troit, and a member of the boards
at one time.
community 'id the following agthcies and
Mr. Aronsson's
organizations: Jewish Home for
Aged, Jewish Children's Bureau,
Jewish Social Service Bureau,
Jewish Welfare Federation,
North End Clinic and Zionist Or-
ganization.
He served as a member of the
Michigan Crippled Children's
Commission, by appointment of
former Governor VanWagoner.
He belongs to Franklin Hills
Country Club, Knollwood Coun-
.try .Club, which he served as
president for many years, and
Standard Club. He is affiliated
with Cong. Shaarey Zedek, Tem-
ple Beth El and Temple Israel;
he is a 32nd Degree Mason.
He has won distinction as one
of the leaders in the Allied Jew-
ish Campaign and has helped
bring many campaigns to a suc-
cessful. conclusion.
Has Admiration of Employees
Since a man's relationship with
his own employees is often the
test of his standing in the com-
munity, it is well to note that
Maury Aronsson is "tops .' with
his staff.
Mrs. Aronsson is - the former
Dora Abramsohn. They have
three children, Margie Louise,
Lois Selma and Herbert Allen.
-E"-