I LOOKING BACK I So It Was Continued from Page 2 Bavaria where special anti- Jewish laws were the most severe — Jews were not allow- ed to be citizens. To control Jewish population, only the oldest son in a family was allowed to marry, and only a certain number of Jewish marriages could be held in a certain period of time . . . the number of houses where they could reside was restricted to them, as were business oppor- tunities and traveling about . . . education and the profes- sions were limited . . . Jews had to pay heavy, extra taxes. The 1849-49 Revolution in Germany and in much of Europe was put down but there was still very little hope for the future of the Jews. So, it is no wonder the most liberal and best educated peo- ple (Jews and non-Jews) in Germany fled to the new world seeking freedom and liberty. Dr. Jacob R. Marcus, America's greatest Jewish historian, in his book (This I Believe 1990) reminds us that "Ever since the early years of the 1200s, the Ger- man Jews, carrying with them their German dialect (Yiddish) had moved eastward into the Slavic lands. By the 16th and 17th centuries, they had become the largest Jewish group in the world. They are the grandparents and ancestors of most of the Jews living in North America today." In the early 1800s, the Ger- man Jews in America became the most influential Jewish body in the world. Mr. Steiner and I continued to correspond. I asked such questions as — "What was the origin or meaning of the family name, Putzel?" and "Do you happen to know if they had a family name before it became Putzel?" He told me there were a couple of legends about how the Putzels got their name from a German nobleman who bestowed his name and coat- of-arms on a Jewish family. One story, as told by Henry Lippman Putzel of Elkins Park, Penn., is about a Jewish family named Lippman that lived in Bavaria several cen- turies ago. During a pogrom, a Rabbi Lippman was falsely accused of a terrible crime and was put in jail. While awaiting trial (and a possible death sentence) a wealthy, elderly landowner by the name of Von Putzel of- fered to use his influence to secure the rabbi's freedom, with one stipulation. Von Putzel explained that because he had no sons he would be the last of the family. His name would end with him. — December is filled with excitement at Crosswinds Mall. A preview of coming events. HOLIDAY ON WHEELS December 14th - December 23rd Crosswinds' First Annual International Luxury Auto Show Come see 1991's finest luxury automobiles on display, courtesy of local dealers No Admission fee Watch for other exciting events Every one of Crosswinds' Shops and Restaurants invites you to share the Holiday Fantasy. 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Orchard Lake Road at Lone Pine • West Bloomfield 48 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1990 For that reason, the pre- condition for the rabbi's freedom was that Lippman's entire family change its name to Putzel, omitting the "Von" which symbolized nobility. Rabbi Lippman agreed and was freed. The family name changed from Lippman (also spelled Lipman) to Putzel. To this day, some members of the Putzel family have Lippman for their middle name. Some also use it for their first name. Dr. Marcus suggests that the name Lippman was pro- bably derived from "liebe mann" meaning "a lovely per- son" or a "fine man." Until Napoleon opened the doors of the European feudal society to the Jews, most Jews did not have family names. Napoleon decreed that they must retain one family name for all generations. We don't know how much of the Putzel narrative is fact or fiction — or just plain conjec- ture. But, we do know a great deal about the Detroit Butzels going way back to the 1850s. And that's not conjecture. For approximately 100 years — 1860 to 1960, the period of Detroit's great growth and expansion — Butzel was one of our town's most respected and influen- tial civic names. In our local Jewish community, it was the most important name. We knew about the Butzel broad philanthropies and their deep concern for the welfare of the have-nots; their integrity and talent brought them prominence in their various fields of endeavor. The Butzel name is and was impeccable. They have been such highly respected citizens, they brought honor and status to all Detroit. But, it is with much regret we also tell you that the notable Butzel dynasty in Michigan has just about reached its end. There are no longer any male direct descendants of the Butzel family living here. We have two lovely Butzel ladies as neighbors in Bloom- field Hills — Sally Butzel Lewis (Mrs. Leonard T. Lewis) and Rickey Kahn Butzel (Mrs. Martin L. Butzel). The Butzel sons live out of our state. And so, from our hearts, we say thanks to the Putzel/ Butzel families. We are forever indebted to all of you for what you mean to us and for everything you have done for us. El Leonard Simons is president emeritus of the Detroit Historical Commission.