Jewish Federation Apartments, Inc.
Twenty-five Years of Building Family
In continuing response to the demand for apartments, and with a
generous endowment from the Hechtmans, the Lillian and Samuel
Hechtman Federation Apartments were constructed in 1982.
or twenty-five years, Jewish Federation Apartments, Inc. has been
building families. From the initial start way back in 1970, Senior
Adults who were more often than not strangers to each other
became acquaintances who smiled and greeted each other as they
passed in the elevator. Surprisingly, unlike other apartment buildings,
the acquaintanceships didn't last. Instead, they became caring
friendships based on common interests, shared concerns and a
congregate living experience.
F
This facility was built in West Bloomfield on the Maple and Drake Jewish
Community Campus which includes the Jewish Community Center,
the Holocaust Memorial Center, the Fleischman Residence and the
Blumberg Plaza. Joint community planning by JFA, the Jewish Welfare
Federation, the Jewish Community Center and the Jewish Home for Aged
supported a cooperative venture between government and private non-
profit organizations. The ground breaking for Phase III was held on
September 12, 1982. The 102 units at Hechtman were quickly occupied.
The conception for such a living environment came from the Simons
Committee on Housing for the Elderly formed in 1966 by the Jewish
Welfare Federation of Detroit. The Federation study concluded that
convenient low cost housing with specially designed features would meet
the needs of an increasing population of older, healthy, men and women
living alone on modest budgets in low rent, often unsafe neighborhoods.
The goals of this new Federation agency would be to help self-reliant
persons remain independent, enhance dignity and self-esteem and offer
opportunities for a stimulating, enjoyable, dynamic life.
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Agency growth continued. In 1985, plans were developed for yet another
addition. A one hundred and forty-nine unit building was to be built in
Oak Park as the result of negotiations between the federal government
and the city due to the anticipated construction of the 696 East-West
extension. The project would compensate Oak Park and Southfield for
the homes and apartments demolished. The negotiations also included
the development of two over-the-freeway deck/parks designed with a
passive park containing walking paths, benches and a playground
immediately behind the JCC. On October 9, 1988 the cornerstone was
laid and the building was named in memory of Harriett and Ben Teitel,
made possible with a generous endowment from the Teitels.
Various plans of financing were explored including the possibility of the
availability of long-term governmental construction loans at favorable
interest rates. In 1967 a non-profit corporation was formed by the
Jewish Welfare Federation as required by Federal government
regulations. This enabled initiation of the necessary steps to negotiate
a low cost loan through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD). The government would also subsidize those
residents who could not afford to pay full market rents. Upon
governmental acceptance the first Jewish Federation Apartments was
planned to be built in Oak Park.
On Sunday morning November 2, 1969, ground breaking ceremonies BU"
were held for this first building. It was the culmination of three years „,..
of hard work and research. Chaired by the. late Joseph H. Jackier, the )
first President of Jewish Federation Apartments, Inc., the occasion was
marked by the attendance of civic and communal leaders and members
of the community at large. The new facility would contain 112 efficiency
and 56 one-bedroom units. Residency would be limited to those 62
years of age and older whose incomes qualified in accordance with HUD
requirements. Inquiries were received immediately upon public
notification of the proposed new structure. Applications for residence
far exceeded the available space and the building was fully rented at the
time of its formal opening in December, 1971.
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Taking into consideration the growing number of older persons and the
extensive waiting list, a second building was planned. This facility would
be funded by a generous grant from the Anna and Meyer L. Prentis
foundation and HUD. Seed money was provided by the Jewish Welfare
Federation. The 99 unit construction was to be joined to the first facility.
It would be linked by an epicenter housing a central lobby, enlarged
dining room, community rooms and administrative offices. The
buildings would officially be known as the Anna and Meyer Prentis
Federation Apartments.
Ground breaking for Phase II occurred on Sunday, November 19, 1978.
The new building was ready for occupancy in 1979. Once again
applications for residency exceeded the availability of apartments.
On November 12, 1991, another groundbreaking was held in West
Bloomfield for the Samuel and Lillian Hechtman Federation Apartments
Phase II. The new 96 units will offer the same type of safe, comfortable,
affordable, Jewish-flavored elderly housing to those people with
moderate incomes. Completion is expected in September 1992.
JFA has done more than simply build physical plants housing over 650
senior adults. Through the hard work of Past Presidents, Joseph H.
Jackier, Samuel B. Hechtman, Mark E. Schlussel, Jack A. Robinson,
Sheldon P. Winkelman, Michael B. Perlman and Dr. Hershel Sandberg
and a Board of Directors that grew from a few individuals to a current
group of fifty, JFA has forged a committee structure that encourages a
high standard of lay participation. Led by President Janet B. Levine, the
current agency committees and their chairperson (s) are:
Allied Jewish Campaign — Jan Hauser
Art — Margorie Krasnick
Phase V Building Committee — Rick Rosenhaus, Michael B. Perlman
Eligibility — Marvin Talan, Dr. James E. Labes
Finance — Arnold Cohen
Food Service — Nathan Upfal
Endowment — Robert Schechter
House — David Steuer
Long Range Planning — Sheldon P. Winkelman
Personnel — Gerald 0. Brody
Resident Relations — David M. Gordon
Jewish Federation Apartments, Inc. is not just an apartment house. It is a
support system of caring people and creative programs developed to
enable seniors to lead an active, productive life. It is a combination that
makes us "more than just a nice place to live."
* early historical information adapted from JFA's Chai Anniversary publication, 1985.