On Golden Jubilee of Mothers' Clubs
`The Jewish Mother'—She's Alive and Well at the Center
THE DXTROIT JEWISH NEWS
Javits to Address Dinner
of AJCommittee Council 34—Friday, November 20, 1970
NEW YORK — Sen. Jacob K.
Javits, Zvi Brosh, Israeli minister
lost their beloved Mary, they in- of information in the United States,
Dexter,
Davison
and
Fenkell
The women's lib movement may
herited another Center profes- and Philip E. Hoffman, president
think it discovered the word lib- groups, each representing another sional who has shown equal de- of the American Jewish Commit-
eration, but there's a group of movement, followed. In 1948, the votion in the past 16 years. Mrs.
tee, are among the figures who
ladies who could teach them a Davison Mothers' Club merged JosepK 1Laina) Temchin admits will participate in sessions of the
thing or two. Of course, they had with the Center club.
that she took on the club as one AJC's annual national executive
Nothing could stop the meetings.
15405 W. 9 Mile
a head start 50 years ago.
of many duties for the senior council meeting Dec. 4.6 at the
On Nov. 30, the Jewish Com- "We raised our dues to 75 cents adults of the Center, but the Marriot Motor Hotel, Houston.
Oak Park
before
the
Depression,"
Mrs.
Lef-
munity Center Mothers' Clubs
mothers have become "part of
The council's Saturday evening
celebrate a golden jubilee—half a kowitz said. "We had less bread
my life."
dinner will be chaired by Max M.
in
the
house,
but
we
still
met."
century after a group of young
The affection goes two ways: Fisher of Detroit, President Nix-
Fully aware of their unique sta-
mothers, most of them immigrants,
"We don't pay any attention on's special consultant on volun-
came together to learn the fine art tus and proud of their seniority as when Laina gets aggravated," tary action, who is chairman of
Center tenants, the mothers' clubs
of being American women.
the AJC's executive council.
Mrs. Lefkowitz said.
For them, the golden land—and long had their own membership
Many of the original reasons for
cards.
In 1952-53, however, the Cen-
a young social worker from New
forming
mothers'
clubs
are
long
For the finest in Musical
York named Mary Caplan—were ter decided to make the club mem- since forgotten, but some mem-
Entertainment
bers full Center members as well.
the ticket to liberation.
bers still attend Center English
When
the
mothers'
clubs
balked,
Sizes 8-16
Mildred Lefkowitz was 27 when the Center agreed to a compromise. classes so they can write their
Miss Caplan approached her An extra 50 cents added to the $3 grandchildren.
Mon. tient Se.
AND HIS CONTINENTALS
10-4
with the invitation to Join a senior adult dues could be main-
546-2011
Socialization is still primary, but
for
so-
mothers
group of Jewish
398-3664
tained for the mothers' clubs' own it's fun with a difference. "No
cialization and education. Mrs. treasury. Their Center member- matter what we do—cook, bake,
Lefkowitz recalls:
ship card also bore a special de- knit or shnorr—we make money,"
"Mary was brought here by the signation.
said Mrs. Lefkowitz. The proceeds
Jewish Center (at that time more
Today, a sliding scale is in effect go to the Allied Jewish Campaign
Aus alus •
of a settlement agency than a rec- for all senior adult members of the (last year, they contributed $1,400),
a
reation center) to form mothers' Center, including the mothers' to Mo'os Hitim (for Passover
clubs. She went from door to door clubs. Few pay the full $15 fee, food to needy Detroit Jews),
with a box of raisins. That was to but all are entitled to participate to the Jewish National Fund, His-
appeal to the children, so their in Center activities. And they do tadrut and Pioneer W o m e n.
mothers would be more friendly participate, coming by shuttle bus, Through the latter, they have
and talk. I was afraid: I wouldn't begging or borrowing a ride where "adopted" a little girl in Israel and
• One 'of Allied Van Lines Largest Haulers
let my children take from stran- they can. Until the Center activi- with an annual donation help fill
2253 Cole Street
gers."
some
of
her
needs.
1300
N. CaMpbell Road
ties fall off in the summer, Mrs.
Birmingham
But Mary Caplan got her to lis- Lefkowitz refuses to leave the city
One member has given the
Royal Oak
ten, and got her to join the Oak- to visit her children in California. group a freezer, and the ladies
MI 4-4613
LI 1-3313
land Mothers' Club. Today, Mrs. She spends many hours at the Cen- have little difficulty filling it. They
Lefkowitz, after 50 years of un- ter, at Monday club meetings, at prepare their own luncheons, as
interrupted membership, is presi- knitting classes, at the culture well as an annual mother-daughter
dent of the Center Mothers' Clubs. club.
banquet. They bake goodies for
Miss Caplan, who devoted half a
In its 51I-year history, there all the holidays, which leap a tidy
century to the clubs, died earlier
have been hundreds of women on profit for their favorite charities.
this year, before she could cele- the club rolls. At one time, they
One Hanuka, Mrs. Lefkowitz re-
members, "the group stayed up
brate the anniversary.
even operated their own moth-
Fewer than a dozen women re-
ers' and daughters' camp at half the night making latices for
Hebrew
school students."
main from the original Oakland
Chelsea.
Mothers' Club that met in Moore
Because the forthcoming ban-
But, as membership in the four
School on Alger before there was
quet
would
have been too much
Professional Tutorial Services
mothers' clubs declined and meet-
a Jewish Center building. While ings conflicted with Center activi- for the women to handle, the
by Certified Teachers
their children were playing in a
catered. But their
food
will
be
Serving Grades 1-12 All Academic Subjects
ties, it was decided to merge Dex-
nursery arranged by Miss Caplan, ter, Fenkell, 12th St. and Center-
daughters have agreed to set
Director: Gary B. Moss, B.S., M.A.
the members heard lectures, danc- Davison groups into the one, Jew- the tables to bring down the
ed and sang on Saturday after- ish Community Center Mothers'
costs.
noons. "And 'Levine the Musician'
Mrs. Lefkowitz is obviously ex-
4230 MIDDLEBELT RD.
Clubs.
played the fiddle. It was real
With an age range of 70-8.5, there cited about the event. "What a
shmaltzy, like a Jewish wedding
blessing
it
is
to
live
to
50
years,"
phone: 851-4668
every week," Mrs. Lefkowitz said. has been some concern about the she said—adding quickly, "Actual-
future of the group, which now
The Center dues in those days has a total membership of 120. ly, we're still young women."
were 40 cents a year.
However, new members have come
But the women were exposed to from an unexpected source: fath-
more than just a social afternoon. ers.
They learned to cook American
Occasionally, members' husbands
food, speak the American language, would take a peek at the Monday
learn American manners. "There afternoon club meetings and,
was a young lawyer named Irwin drawn by the jollity, would take
Cohn who taught us how to seats at the rear.
speak," said Mrs. Lefkowitz. "And
But the masculine presence could
if we didn't do it right, he made not be ignored for long. Last year,
us stand in the corner."
the mothers permitted 16 fathers
Mary was no softy either. "She to form their own club. They attend
the same meetings and provide
wanted us to learn to eat the
American way, without reach- assistance to the ladies, from sing-
to
ing to setting tables. One male,
ing fcr things, but asking nicely.
She rapped our bands if we Louis Kroopnick, has even been
elected to office, as recording sec-
didn't do what she taught us."
From Moore School, the Oakland retary pro tern.
At its Nov. 30 banquet, to which
Mothers' Club moved to the Jew-
and
ish Center on Woodward Ave., and the members' children and grand-
there the Center Mothers' Club children are being invited, the
mothers'
clubs
also
will
announce
was formed.
As the Center and the Jewish the formation of an auxiliary
community moved, so moved the "Daughters of the Jewish Com-
mothers' clubs. After 21 years in munity Center Mothers' Clubs."
We have expanded our showroom facilities to over 20,000
the DeRoy Building on Woodward, Mrs. Lefkowitz's daughter-in-law,
square feet. We have done this with but one purpose in mind
the activity was transfered to the Mrs. Bernard Lefkowitz, is chair-
Council-Center building on Twelfth man of the banquet, to be held at
. . . to serve you better.
the
Center.
and Blaine Sts. There, the Twelfth
will benefit you. Our staff is
Although the mothers' clubs
The only changes are ones
St. Mothers' Club was formed. The
Fashions by
B'aranee
50 to 75%
OFF on all
Winter Merchandise
ERIC ROSENOW
POTTER
MOVING &
STORAGE CO.
Bloomfield
TUTORING
CLINIC
LOOK AT WHAT
HAS HAPPENED NOW
NORMAN ALLAN and COMPANY
E. L. RICE and COMPANY
that
4;4 4
'Irt•
The enviable job of being the only male officer in the Jewish
Canagualty Center Mothers' Clubs belongs to Louis Kroopnick, rec-
ording secretary pro tem. Other officers of the group, which will
celebrate its Seth anniversary at a banquet Nov. M, are (from left)
seated: Mesdames Fanny Grober, treasurer; Mildred Lefkowitz,
president; Rebbeca Yrasno, vice president• and Sonia Moravnick,
raleetireata chairman; and standing: Mesdames Minnie Kruse!,
*hat ellairmaa; Grace Kralik, bospitaler; Lea Rubel, membership
dose; and Labia Temcitin, Center Mali adviser.
the same. Our service is better. Our selections are greater.
Our prices remain low. But . . . you will now be able to shop
quicker and more efficiently. Our displays will be larger and
more inviting. The entire atmosphere of our expanded show-
rooms will be more sedate ... more dignified . .. more con-
ducive to a relaxed, comfortable shopping attiude. We're
sure you'll like it.
We have ample parking in two large security protected well
illuminated parking lots.
You'll find that traditional courtesies have been retained, as
have our exceptional services and considerable savings.
17540 WYOMING
21/2 Blocks North of
McNichols Road
MONDAY thru FRIDAY 9:30-9
SATURDAY 10-9; SUNDAY 11 - 5
We accept Master Charge.
‘1,471 / /