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. 4, 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. 7/ 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.