PURELY COMMENTARY

PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

Federation's Noteworthy Personalities Gallery: Archival Treasures

Fred Butzel

Bernard Isaacs

Milford Stern

Henry Wineman

•

How does a kehillah, a community of
concerned citizens, judge itself when it
reaches the age of 60 and not a single
member of the signers of the document
of incorporation is still alive?
Admittedly, to make historiography
realistic, the memories of those who
knew and collaborated with the pioneers
must be drawn into the record.
Interesting people personified the
generation that federated Detroit Jewry.
As to a source, it would seem they espe-
cially stemmed from Temple Beth El and
Cong. Shaarey Zedek. If it were only for
Bernard Isaacs and Esser Rabinowitz,
the Jewish aspect of universality was
there. Their signatures marked an
ideological change in the community.
It could have been said that the
Yiddish-speaking factions were' not in-
cluded among the selectees as Federation
incorporators. These two aspects need
elaboration. First, let's introduce the
signers, the cast of characters of the
drama entitled Jewish Welfare Federa-
tion of Metropolitan Detroit: _ •

ship, the new Federation atoned for two
sins.
Bernard Isaacs is to be credited with
having inspired that change. A remark-
ably impressive young man when he
came here in 1918, he elevated Jewish
education to highest standards. He was
professionally an engineer — with a de-
gree from Cooper Union of New York.
But he abandoned that calling to make
Jewish education his life's work. He at-
tained the highest goals together with
Esser Rabinowitz, the first UHS
president.
Even the charm of Bernard Isaacs
might have found it difficult to gain
equality with other agencies and move-
ments in Federation. As on scores of
other occasions, Fred Butzel stepped into
the fray over Hebrew and said: "If so
many want it and support it, let's ac-
cept."
That's how acceptance came to !'
Zionism in areas where it had been bar-
red. Fred Butzel joined the movement
about 1920. His associates, his family,
were anti-Zionists. He said: "So many
September 24, 1926 — Federation
have that dream, let's not discourage it."
incorporated with Articles signed
He became the honorary president of the
by Milton Alexander. Fred M.
Detroit District of the Zionist Organiza-
Butzel, Louis Duscoff, Jacob
tion of America and was an inspiration
Friedberg, Rabbi Leo Franklin, .0
to Zionism. •
Walter Fuchs, Nathan Gross,
If a problem is posed about Yiddish-
Edith Heavenrich, Bernard '*
ists, Fred Butzel again emerges the ad-
Isaacs, Julian Krolik, Theodore fl t 411I
mirer of the language. This is where
Levin, Esser Rabinowitz, Milford
4 Milton Alexander fits in. Both Butzel
Stern, Samuel Summerfield, Mor-
and Alexander welcomed, actually
ris D. Waldman, Melville S. Welt, -
craved for, invitations to Yiddish speak-
Henry Wineman and David Ze-
ing events. Butzel applied his knowledge
mon. Henry Wineman is elected
of German greetings to Yiddish gather-
ings. Alexander moved to mimick, to
I knew them all — in 1926 and some
tease, to tell jokes. His audiences shared
for a few years prior to it. To each can be
that enthusiasm with him. Like Butzel,
accredited special reminiscences.
he became a landmark in the Yiddish
Only a few will be reminisced here.
sphere.
Perhaps the Isaacs-Rabinowitz team ac-
Butzel's Germanized Yiddish pro-
complished the most. They were respec-
duced an anecdote. It was during one of
tively the superintendent and first
the early Allied Jewish Campaigns. I
president of the United Hebrew School.
chatted with him across the speakers
Their signatures and the inclusion of the
table at the dinner meeting at the Sta-
United Hebrew Schools into the family
tier Hotel. I told him the story of the two
of agencies that were to comprise the
yeshivah bahurim who had a dispute
Federation assured for the federated
and decided to resolve their differences
movement the realism of community un-
by dueling. They acquired pistols and set
ity.
a time and a place for the shootout. Each
Until that time, the semi-
selected a second. Berel arrived at the
assimilated, the leaders of Reform
appointed time. But Shmuel's second
Judaism here, opposed including the bar
came running with a message: "Berel,
mitzvah ceremony in its ritualism. It
ich yell sich farshpetiken. Vart nit oif
was not until the presidency of Leonard
mir. Du shiss."
"Berel, I'll be delayed.
N. Simons in the 1950s that it was re-
Don't wait for me. You start shooting."
vived after more than a half-century of
Fred burst into laughter. He was
rejection. That element also opposed the
still laughing when he was introduced.
teaching of Hebrew. Embracing the
He began to relate the story. But his
United Hebrew Schools into its partner-
Yiddish was a catastrophe and his Ger-

,

'

2

Friday, August 29, 1986

THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

man wasn't helpful. As a storyteller that
night he was a total flop.
There is much more to add recollec-
tively. One of the signers of the Federa-
tion document deserves special mention.
Milford Stern was one of the most de-
lightful in the commmunity. He was a
man of great culture. He craved knowl-
edge. He, too, became an avowed Zionist.
He was distinguished for this: a family
dinner in his home never concluded be-
fore he or a member of the family read
the contents of that day's Daily Bulletin
of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. A dis-
cussion of what was occurring became an
obligation for the entire family.
Such were some of the dignitaries
who federated this community.

Chronological Capsules
In Federation Genesis

The manner in which Federation and to
agencies came into action may be illus-
trated by these few examples from the
established record. They include:

September 28, 1926 — United
Jewish Campaign to be dissolved
and assets turned to Federation.
November 17, 1926 — Jewish
Open Forum granted an appro-
priation of $1195 on condition
that no solicitation would be
made by the organization outside
of its meetings.
January 12, 1927 — Collec-
tions on the pledges to the Allied
Jewish Campaign were slow and
Detroit Service Group called in to
help speed the collection of
$738,242 raised for the 1926-1929
period.
January 29, 1928 — First an-
nual meeting held at Hotel Sta-
tier with dancing and generral
atmosphere of celebration.
1932 — Federation becomes
affiliated with the Council of
Jewish Federations and Welfare
Funds.
1933 — Jewish Centers Asso-
ciation and Young Women's He-
brew Association merge to form
Jewish Community Center. Cen-
ter building at Woodward and
Holbrook dedicated.
1936 — Trade- Council estab-
lished by Allied Jewish Cam-
paign. House of Shelter moves to
Taylor Avenue. Sholem Aleichem
School, Jewish Folk Schools and
Workmen's Circle Schools join
Allied Jewish Campaign.

1937 — Jewish Home for
Aged moves to Petoskey Street.
Jewish Community Council es-
tablished. Resettlement Service
founded to deal with refugee
needs.
1938 — Federation sponsors
Hospital Survey.
1941 — Jewish Children's
Bureau established through the
merger of the Jewish Child
Placement Bureau and Jewish
Children's Home. Jewish Voca-
tional Service begun.
1943 — Allied Jewish Cam-
paign becomes a partner in the
Greater Detroit War Chest.
1944 — Federation forms
Jewish Hospital Association and
raises $2,300,000.
1946 — Allied Jewish Cam-
paign begins its own fund-raising
again.

Memory, Knowledge:
Wolf Snyder's Treasurii

Memory is a precious gift. Nobel
Literature Prize Winner Yosek Agnon
defined it as "Blessed is he that remem-
bers what is forgotten."
Therefore, memory's glories become
valuable with knowledge.
Wolf Snyder possessed that quality.
He remembered because he knew, and
he never forgot the treasures he assem-
bled in•a life of cultural attainments.
He will always be remembered' as
the scholar par excellence. He was a lin-
guist whose mastery of Hebrew, Yiddish,
Russian and Polish enabled him to be-
come the master translator who shared
his skills with an admiring following.
When we searched for the roots of
important linguistics, when we needed to
be guided to the important teachings in
the Talmud, when there was need to
trace the Yiddish literary treasures,
Wolf Snyder was the available guide and
teacher.
Indeed, he was a great teacher.
Pedagogy led him to national leadership.
His literary creations, in books and
essays, showed another quality. He was
a keen observer as a traveler, and with
his wife Esther who shared his many
interests as Zionist and linguist, his
travelogues leave their marks on studies
of world affairs.
Wolf Snyder will always be remem-
bered as the scholar whose studies
enriched American and world Jewries.
His memory will be treasured by all who
benefited from his wisdom.

