Detroit's Jewish Aged Fight
for Lowitent Housing Facility
`Just Two Acres' — Seniors
Plead for Their Independence
siderable time. As we wrote you,
After years of preliminary
In April, the Senior Citizens
the matter is now in the hands of studies and plans, a promise of Council testified in Lansing be-
our committee which is concern- land by the city and acquisition of fore a legislative subcommittee in
ing itself with community plan- the required 2 per cent "seed support of the bill. Experts spoke
ning and which is aware of your money," Young Israel has car- in its behalf, and delegations of
deep concern for housing." ried its project to Washington. It elderly residents from throughout
By CHARLOTTE HYAMS
Mrs. Rubel and her husband is called Independence Hall, a 22- the state pleaded its cause at the
David S. apologized because there wasn't any place to sit Charles, an• ailing retired uphol- story high-rise apartment build- night hearing.
sterer, live in a six-room house on ing for the elderly, with a syna-
down. "I don't get company very often," he explained.
The bill didn't make it to the
Prairie. Although it is too big for gogue nearby, in downtown Elm- floor; its backers agreed to study
His white cane serving as a
lever, he let himself down Dexter Mothers Club. During her to maintain, the house is all wood Park, Final approval is ex- it further before asking a vote
they can afford in a Jewish neigh- pected in the next few months.
next spring.
slowly on the edge of the bed the year, a bus picks them up borhood.
It is not paid for, and
But the Senior Citizens Coun-
that filled up half his room. and transports them to the Jew- she is afraid they will lose it.
But subsidy or no subsidy, hous-
cil
housing
committee
is
appre-
"Talk loud," he said, "I don't ish Center on Meyers and Cur-
The battle for low-rent housing hensive. They feel most Jews do ing authority or no housing auth-
tis.
It's
become
a
second
home—
hear so good."
is partly a personal battle on the not want to live downtown de- ority, the Senior Citizens commit-
a haven.
He was a tall man, and beneath
part of Mrs. Rubel; it is partly the spite the anticipated return. And, tee is convinced the Federation;
But the bus can't take Mrs. G. battle of the quiet few thousand equally important, if not more so can move ahead—if it wants to.
the hat he wore—he lifted it to
David Teitlebaum explained:
show—there was thick, gray hair. to the synagogue on holidays. And, who may not even realize that a —rent will run from $85 to $120,
"Not so bad for a man of 81, is despite her arthritis, she refuses Senior Citizens Council housing an amount too high for their limi- "Other projects in other com-
munities may charge high rent be-
it?" he said proudly.
to ride on the Sabbath. To pay her committee is carrying their flag. ted means.
Sometimes, while he was talk- $62.50 monthly rent, Mrs. G. does
Headed by David Teitlebaum,
It is the latter which up to now cause meals are served, and be
ing, you'd look around at the
some extra work that augments
this committee is comprised of has posed the biggest obstacle for cause they get medical care. But
room—at the paper bags strewn
her Social SeCurity checks. "If
a near-dozen members in their
the aged of Detroit—and perhaps we don't need these things, and
in one corner, the flaking chest I could afford more, I wouldn't be
70s. It speaks for 1,100 senior
for the Federation. Other Jewish It would cost the Jewish com-
living here," she said.
of drawers, the chipped sink,
citizens belonging to 18 Center
communities have gone ahead with munity less than if we were put
the soiled curtains. You'd think:
organizations.
Mr. K., a widower in his 70s,
their "low-rent" housing projects, into an old folks home."
Professionals at the Federation,
A Jew in the city of Detroit
Teitlebaum couldn't estimate the assisted by the 50-year federal
lived for many years as a boarder
doesn't live like this—alone in a
near the Jewish Center. When the number who don't even come to mortgage loans. But they still must from the top down, have admitted
fleabag hotel on West Vernor
family with whom he was living the Center. But on the basis of face an economic reality: low rent privately they see a need for such
near Woodward.
sold their house and moved to the Dr. Albert J. Mayer's population and pay-as-you-go financing are housing. Publicly, they insist a
study of need must come first.
But Mr. S. was saying, "I used suburbs, Mr. K. tried in vain to study five years ago, the Feder- not economically compatible.
One senior citizen on the hous-
to go to Temple Beth El on Rosh find another place to live.
ation subcommittee on housing for
Nevertheless, there is a strong
ing committee, David Gornbein,
Hashanah and Yom Kippur,
There was nothing within his the aged estimated a potential ray of hope in this area. After a
wanted to assure the Federation
though I don't get around so good means, and in desperation,
group of 4,600 requiring low-cost checkered career in Congress,
he units.
that "we don't have to talk about
any more. You know, a man wants sought another way out. Mr.
President
Johnson's
rent
subsidy
K.
money yet. If only the Federation
to say kaddish for his mother and
Not
all
of
the
Senior
Citizens
plan
is
close
to
enactment.
Only
committed suicide.
will just sit down at a table and
father. I don't have any children
last week, the Senate passed a
Some would say the answer for Council members are as outspoken
talk it over with us."
to say it for me."
as
Mrs.
Rubel,
but
they
agree
on
housing
bill
which
includes
spe-
these people is obvious: Place
The legislative subcommittee
He's a sick man. He figures them in the Jewish Home for the one point: the Federation must be
cial provisions for low-income
hearing last April inspired an-
most of the monthly check he gets Aged. With its soon-to-be-com- the sponsor for such housing.
families. The aged are among
other elderly member to write a
Other Jewish communities these.
from state aid to the blind goes pleted branch, the Detroit home
toward medicines. "The Zedakah is a showpiece for similar institu- throughout the country have man-
The House previously had ap- poem. It was much longer than
this, but it read in part:
aged it, but under different aus- proved a similar bill, and it only
Club ladies have been nice," he tions throughout the country.
pices.
In
Atlantic
City,
for
ex-
remains
for
a
joint
committee
to.
said. "They gave me some money
Just
two acres
There are two hitches, how-
for Pesach."
ample, a 14-story apartment pro- work out any differences.
That's all we want
ever. First, the home can not ac-
Interest has been shown on the Just two acres
David S.'s case could be con- commodate the many aged still ject for senior citizens is being
built under the sponsorship of state level, too. Rep. William A. So we need not roam
sidered extreme. Few aged would
on waiting lists. Those who seek
three synagogues.
Ryan of Detroit sponsored a bill To find a home.
admit, as did he, that "sometimes
entrance are urged: "Don't come
I think if I didn't wake up I'd be
In Cleveland, the National Coun- to create a state senior citizens
until you're absolutely ready."
How much longer will you study
cil of Jewish Women took over housing authority.
better off."
The second hitch is the aged
need?
Among
the
duties
of
such
an
the
project;
and
in
Philadelphia,
Take a neighbor of his, for themselves. For three people
example. Harry W. is unaware of alone, the proferred "solution" is the Federation built the housing authority would be the power to How much longer before you will
heed?
adjacent to the home for the aged. make loans to local housing pro-
David S.'s existence although they anything but that.
All have been undertaken with jects for the aged and to help How much more proof will you
live two blocks apart. They are
"I get along," said a man of 82 federal government loans.
need?
with technical assistance for non-
the same age; but Mr. W. hears
who
is blind, poor, hard of hear-
It is with such government
profit groups seeking such pro- Just two acres
well, sees well, has some relatives
ing . . and alone. "I'm my own
jects.
loans, under a 1963 housing act,
Just two acres.
"way out in Southfield." He plays
boss, and I like it that way. I that projects have been initiated
penny-ante poker with the boys don't
want to move to a home for
in this area under private and
across the street, who sometimes the aged."
~
church auspices. B u t until
"loan" him clothes to wear, and
"It's not for me," said the sec-
Young Israel announced its own
he likes to sit in the hotel lobby
ond . "I'm like a young man;
plans last month, there had been
and chat.
I like to look ahead. I've got my
none designed with the Jewish
Mr. W. is "not what you'd call
n?;
little stove here. What do I need
aged taken into consideration.
religious, but I like living near
an
old
folks
home
for?"
a
11 9
synagogue," and on the High
Holy Days he walks the half
mile to Downtown Synagogue
fOr services. Mo'os Hitim, the
Jewish community's Passover
fund, had him on their list, but
he wasn't able to pick up the
package. Too far to go, he ex-
plained.
Like David S., Mr. W. gets
monthly government assistance.
With $58 from Social Security and
$42 in old-age assistance from the
state, he manages to pay his $36
rent and his grocery bill. There's
$21 or $22 left for laundry and in-
cidentals.
Not that he's complaining, mind
you. He didn't want anyone to
think he didn't like living alone
downtown. He's been in that apart-
ment house 15 years, and he has
his own little stove for making tea.
"Besides," he added, "I can't af-
ford any more than $36 rent."
Mrs. Fannie G., a widow past 70,
has an apartment on Richton. She
loves her apartment, but she's
afraid of the sounds in the night—
and sometimes the day. For 35
years she's lived in the Dexter
area, and now she feels she must
leave.
One by one, her neighbors have
moved; and along with them, the
synagogues and Jewish schools,
The Jewish community hasn't
entirely forgotten her and the
other women who make up the
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
40 Friday, July 23, 1965
—
3 i
11431
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tripV 154 134 iv* ton entoiti (014)nryp1l
"I'm not ready for it," said
%Tin
Hebrew Corner
the woman. "I want my own
home. Just two rooms in a nice
`r'imAI O 'WO" rzNI x*.7p3, "nityr..1 4 Prii5 rr;"'? 1114,
district where I won't be afraid
The Parachutist
'rip;
arz!? r4s) ,01;351? ar-vp imtl Kr; .%;1177z;3 lyona
an d can be with Jewish people.
I feel I am somebody when I
Wept Like a Child
14"1 14- trgi 7Tr..4•13 17.47 Irrittti
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have my independence."
The soldier wore a red beret. He trin
The Jewish Welfare Federation strode with heavy steps on the way to
Itt4; .pcgtan otti — ikt Inv nqratti
has looked into the matter.
the Ghetto Fighters House at the
Ghetto
Fighters
Kibbutz
in
the
West-
it.r?s?
,triya
•ipz.
.pxaut rnr
r3, 11.9 topnn2
Four years ago, the Jewish ern Galilee. He knocked briskly on the
Family and Children's Service door and went into the house. In a
11pr
nkrivn 51/ 0, 1991 11.7p 5r trw.
confident voice he asked: "Where is
'r? ;Molt
committee on aging appointed a the
person is charge of the house? I
subcommittee to evaluate the need must speak to him."
Arnz 14ite.r3'? Irrz?4r.ort
0, 947pipii) trpi ,
The person in charge worked some-
for low-cost housing for the well where
on the farm. They went to call
aged.
.Hrrixtm
him. In the meantime the soldier
In.127p
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rpi7.4-
at the long shelves in the room.
The subcommittee recommen- looked
There were thousands of books there
ded in May 1961 that "immediate in ten languages; books on the upris- .rpsn ;14.11 einp rw
linkt -);-rL?
action" be taken by the Jewish ing and books on the Haulocaust in Eu-
rope; memoirs, diaries and documents
ritm 5:n7 ..rgtn ri.4sn
rrmn 5.c.12713
Welfare Federation to "develop a of persons who had managed to sur-
group of low-rental, small-house- vive.
nitv
5Ntc
"You wanted to speak to me?" asked
.? 2Tir ;Try ..rp7p rep itt
tt5) Mete)
keepi•g units specially planned the
director of the Ghetto Fighters
to incorporate the features of de- House. — "I want to speak to you :tOri5 ,r1t2rpn
lk:mg mitgn nit 17i3 or9
alone. It's a private matter," answered
sign recommended for housing the
parachutist.
older people."
The director of the house invited the
.1114;
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17-0, 'irk; .invn 517
Inv:, 5v
parachutist to take a seat. The tall
It added the suggestion "that soldier
lowered his head and did not
1,4,r
.7.:141n
5ti) T127.ri
this facility be developed in close utter a word. "What do you want?"
• N71 niDt?
asked the director.
proximity to a community center again
—"Soon I shall finish my army ser- nrmiri7; int:$ .%?
Niro
to provide opportunity for social- vice. I have begun to think of my fu-
ture and also of my past. I don't know
izing, and further, that it be lo- who
I am."
1
"in''
Ox
041 r
.1w.$) •
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cated within easy access of other
Tiny drops of sweat covered the
community and cultural facilities." parachutist's brow. His eyes filled with 1p.13 5;ki
anzr.
5tg
T'?-14
tears. And he wept like a smal
Recommended area was 10 Mile child.
"They brought me to Israel from
Rd. between Coolidge and Green- Hungary after the war," he continued
.-141
rrrrnpl
np rite
saying. They found me together with
field.
other Jewish children. I grew up in
.n7prp7prt
children's
and
youth
institutions.
But
I
Last December, in response
nyt13 •117/ ,n4tri 20 14 1,444'
do not know who I am and who my
to correspondence by Mrs. Lea
parents are. I don't remember a thing.
N#1?
5ntin "'PIN lry- ns? r trfp.np 4,4ti
"I am about 20 years old, I am cer-
Rubel or. the Senior Citizens'
tainly born at the beginning of the
-
Council, Federation Executive
Director William Avrunin wrote:
"A matter of this importance re-
quires careful and thorough study
and this, in turn, requires con-
war. I seek your help; perhaps you
can find among all the books and
documents something that may help'.
me to know who I am."
Translation of Hebrew Column.
Published by Brith Ivrith
Olamith, Jerusalem.
'5?3, 11 -114.
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