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Helping Kids, He Improved The World

DAVID SACHS
Editorial Assistant

II

e improved the world more
than we will ever know."
That is how Rabbi David
Nelson remembered his close

friend.
Gerald Levin, president and CEO of
Orchards Children's Services in Southfield,
a man whose caring and tireless drive for
37 years bettered the lives of thousands of
local children, died April 28.
"If it weren't for Jerry, countless chil-
dren would not be in contact with their
parents and innumerable households
would not be intact," said Nelson. "I'm
devastated." The Congregation Beth
Shalom rabbi delivered a eulogy Sunday
before an overflow crowd of mourners at
Ira Kaufman Chapel.
Mr. Levin, 59, of Bloomfield Hills, and
his wife Randie, who directs the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit's corn-
munity outreach and education depart-
ment, were part of the Federation's
Michigan Miracle Mission III to Israel.
After completing the 10 - day mission,
they began a four-day extension tour of
Jordan. Mr. Levin suffered a heart attack
while waiting to register at a hotel in Petra,
on the Jordan tour's first day.
His daughter from a previous marriage,
Amy Rachelle Levin, of Birmingham, also
survives him.
"My husband was an incredible man,"
said Randie Levin. "He loved life and was
dedicated to helping children. His father
died when he was young and he felt a need

BEN BRODIE, 80, of Southfield, died

May 1.
He is survived by his brothers and sis-
ters-in-law, Sigmund and Shirley Brodie of
Oak Park, Sidney and Mildred Brodie of
Oak Park.
Contributions may be made to a charity
of one's choice.

HAL L. BURNETT, 74, of West

2

Bloomfield, died May 2. Mr. Burnett was
the chairman of Direct Marketing
Industries.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley
Burnett; daughter Julie Burnett of West
Bloomfield; son and daughter-in-law Mark
and Beverly Burnett of Orchard Lake;
grandchildren Tracey, Alexander and
Jacqlyn; brother and sister-in-law Edward
and Goulda Burnett of New York; sister
Josephine Lane of Arizona.

RETA DAITCH, 81, of West Bloomfield,
died April 26.
Mrs. Daitch was a medical librarian at
Sinai Hospital. She was also a member of
Temple Israel and Mezeritcher.

to rescue children."
care, day camp, a baseball league and after-
"He loved kids," said the Levins rabbi,
school arts activities.
Daniel Syme of Temple Beth El. "I was
Loretta Polish, Orchards' board chair-
amazed that he was thinking up new pro-
man, said, "Under Jerry, the Orchards
grams to help children even while we were
grew a thousand fold. Each of us has been
on the mission."
inspired by his leadership."
Mr. Levin was
Mr. Levin won
nationally known for
approval from the state
his innovative
to initiate the Foster
approaches to helping
Care Pilot Program in
children, while
1997, to allow freedom
strengthening the fami-
and flexibility in deliver-
ly and community. He
ing services to the chil-
was called upon time
dren.
and again by govern-
"Jerry believed kids
ments and agencies CO
deserved individualized
serve as an adviser.
treatment," said Deborah
He began working
Dinco, Orchards' execu-
at the Orchards in
tive vice president and
1962, during its first
acting CEO.
months of existence. At
Stuart Lockman, who
that time, it was a small
served with Mr. Levin on
residential treatment
the board of trustees of
center for emotionally
Temple Beth El, and his
disturbed boys, run by
wife Deena traveled with
Gerald Levin: "Dedicated to
the National Council
the Levins on the Jordan
helping children."
of Jewish Women. He
tour. Lockman said they
was asked to step in as
had been touring Petra
director and help close
for three and a half hours
the agency for lack of funding.
and were waiting in line at the hotel to
At age 27, Mr. Levin set out to save the
register when Mr. Levin suffered the fatal
organization. He sought assistance from
heart attack.
every possible funding source and guided
Both Michigan senators, Spencer
the agency into other activities. Orchards
Abraham and Carl Levin, interceded
Children's Services, now non-sectarian,
on the Levins' behalf with the
survived and is the largest private foster
American Embassy in Amman.
care and adoption agency in Michigan. It
Abraham also spoke with the Jordanian
has a $12 million annual budget and
ambassador in Washington. Procedures
serves 4,200 children, also offering respite
were expedited and Mr. Levin's body

Mrs. Daitch is survived by her daughter
and son-in-law, Dr. Carolyn Daitch and
Russell Graham of West Bloomfield; son
and daughter-in-law Richard Daitch and
Mary Pat Short of Canada; grandchildren
Clare Estelle Daitch, Sarah Daitch and
Daniel Rubin; brother and sister-in-law Dr.
Allen and Batya Berlin of West Bloomfield;
sister Annabelle Coggan of Missouri; broth-
er and sister-in-law Leonard and Edith
Berlin of California.
She was the beloved wife of the late
Samuel Daitch.
Contributions may be made to the
American Cancer Society.

ESTHER DAVIS, 89, of Norfolk, Va., died
April 25.
She is survived by her daughters and
son-in-law, Gail (Al) Littman of Norfolk,
Margie Braun of Norfolk; son and daugh-
ter-in-law Stuart (Diane) Sanders of
Oceanside, N.Y.; grandchildren and great-
grandchildren; brothers and sister-in-law
Seymour Serling of West Bloomfield,
Monte (Claire) Serling of Southfield; sister
Sybil Einstandig of Southfield.

Mrs. Davis was the beloved wife of the
late Al Sanders and the late Al Davis.

MAX DOCKS, 88, of West Bloomfield,

died May 1.
Mr. Docks was the founder of M & M
Auto Parts on Michigan Ave. in Detroit
which he operated for 55 years. He was a
member of Perfection Lodge of the Masons,
was a 50-year member of Lodge #521 and a
lifetime member of the Masons. He also
was a charitable provider to numerous char-
ities dealing with children and donated his
equipment and time to the Shrine Circus.
Mr. Docks is survived by his daughter,
Lois Horowitz of West Bloomfield; son and
daughter-in-law Michael and Rosalynd
"Lynda" Docks of Boca Raton, Fla.; grand-
children Debra and Robert Schreer, Brenda
and Ronald Efros, Jeffrey and Rebecca
Horowitz, Freda Horowitz, Martin Efros,
Laurence Horowitz, Randall Docks, Sherrie
and Dr. Joseph Zuckerman; great-grandchil-
dren Arnie, Jennifer, Jacob, Nathan,
Morgen, Rachael, David and Brianna.
He was the beloved husband of the late
Freda Docks, the devoted father of the late

left Jordan for the U.S.
Besides serving on the board of trustees
and executive committee of Temple Beth El,
Mr. Levin was past chair of the religious
school committee and assisted the temple in
grant writing. He was instrumental in get-
ting funding for the temple's computer lab
and envisioned a youth wing.
"Meeting him, you wouldn't know he
was a foremost leader in the Jewish com-
munity," said Rabbi Syme. "He had a
quiet manner and a willingness to give
others the credit. This masked an ability to
get others to reach beyond themselves for
dreams, goodness and kindness — it was
almost magical."
Rabbi Syme recalled, "In Israel, before I
got on the plane to leave, we hugged each
other. Jerry said, 'When we get back to
Detroit, we'll get back to changing the
world."
At the funeral, Rabbi Nelson told the
mourners, "Jerry would say, 'I'm not fin-
ished yet.' If we truly loved Jerry Levin, we
must finish the tasks he loved and pursued.
That will be his legacy."
Said Randie Levin, "My husband was a
very kind person who liked to help people.
It sounds simple, but it's the truth."
Contributions may be made to the
Randie and Gerald Levin Fund at
Orchards Children's Services, 30215
Southfield Road, Southfield, MI 48076;
Common Ground Sanctuary, 1410 S.
Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI
48302; or Temple Beth El Religious
School, 7400 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield
Township, MI 48301.
Burial was at Machpelah Cemetery. D

Bernard Docks, the loving brother of the
late Sol Docks and the late Harry Docks
and the dear brother-in-law of the late Fred
Horowitz.
Interment at Nusach Harie Cemetery.
Contributions may be directed to any chari-
ty for mentally-challenged children.

GEORGE FEINBERG, 82, of Palm City,

Fla., died April 29.
Mr. Feinberg was a vice president of
Chatham Grocery. He was a member of
Congregation Shaarey Zedek and B'nai
B'rith Morganthau Lodge.
Mr. Feinberg is survived by his
daughters and sons-in-law, Jane and
Leonard Weinstein of Scarsdale, N.Y.,
Marlene and Martin Krohner of
Farmington Hills; grandchildren
Melinda Weinstein and her fiance
Michael O'Halloran, Brian Weinstein,
Kevin and Joanne Krohner; sister Helen
Schrage; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-
law, Bernard and Helen Weisberg,
Harvey and Lucille Weisberg, Alvin and
Henrietta Weisberg, Harold and Marion
Weisberg.

5/7
1999