The Cookie Guy

later earned a bachelor's degree in busi-
ness administration from the University
of Cincinnati.
While working as a stockbroker in
artin Herman's size
Detroit, he met his future wife, a
belied his nature. He
speech and language pathologist. "We
was a "gentle giant"
both had a dream of opening a restau-
with a twinkle in his
rant," Joyce Herman said.
eye and a soft-spoken voice.
The Hermans also ran a branch of
"When I first met Marty, I felt
Marty's Cookies on Fort near Griswold
intimidated by the huge guy in front of
in downtown Detroit from 1985 to
me," said his rabbi, Aaron
1990. They sold the
Bergman of Congregation
Birmingham store to an
Beth Abraham Hillel
original employee,
Moses, "hut I soon saw
Stacey Arsht, in 1995.
his gentleness. He was a
The Hermans then con-
huge man with a soft
centrated on their other
touch; a biker who liked
venture, MOT's Custom
classical music.
and Power Cycles in
"I realized, how won-
Plymouth, a motorcycle
derful to have this com-
parts and accessories
bination — a big, intimi-
shop.
dating-looking man
In 1996, the
being the cookie guy."
Hermans gave up their
Martin Herman, 54,
business and resumed
of Orchard Lake, the
solo careers. "I wept,"
founder and former
said Joyce Herman. "It
owner of Marry's
Martin Herman
was withdrawal from not
Cookies in Birmingham,
working side by side."
died June 9, the result of
Most recently, Mr.
complications from a traffic accident
'Herman was Internet sales coordinator
May 1.
for Jim Riehl's Roseville Chrysler-
Marty's Cookies has been a mainstay
Plymouth-Jeep.
in downtown Birmingham since 1981,
Mr. Herman's zeal for his career was
satisfying the public's demand for large,
exceeded only by his love and devotion
gooey chocolate-chip cookies.
for his family.
"He loved baking cookies," said
"He gave a great gift to his chil-
Joyce Herman, his wife and business
dren," said Rabbi Bergman, "self-
partner. "He became a local celebrity,
reliance and self-confidence. He taught
appearing frequently on talk shows.
them strength and courage, and not to
Hard work brought it about."
fear life."
The Hermans worked side-by-side
Said the rabbi, "There is something
for nearly two decades. The cookie
so lasting, tender and nurturing about
shop grew out of their first venture in
chocolate-chip cookies."
1978, Marty's Place Pizza and
Mr. Herman is also survived by his
Carryout, in West Bloomfield.
mother, Fanny Herman of West
"One day at the restaurant," Joyce
Bloomfield; son Micah; daughters
Herman . recalled, "Marty's sister Jane
Jerusha and Norah; brother and sister-
wanted chocolate-chip cookies. I baked
in-law Sal and Judee Herman of West
some and put the leftovers on the
Bloomfield; sister and brother-in-law
counter for pizza customers to take.
Jane and Charles Kessler of West
When the people tasted them, they told
Bloomfield; brothers-in-law and sisters-
us that we should open a cookie shop.
in-law Ronald and Judie Klein, Arlene
"Although I made the first two
and Philip Gartenberg; mother-in-law
chocolate-chip flavors, Marty created
and father-in-law Harry and Pearl
the other dozen or so varieties."
Rosenbaum. He was the son of the late
Martin Herman's life began in
Elias Herman.
upheaval. By the time he was horn in
The family suggests memorial con-
Hungary in 1945, his father had been
tributions be made to American Cancer
deported to Auschwitz and his mother
Society, 29350 Southfield, Suite 110,
was in hiding. He entered the world
Southfield, MI 48076; Fresh Air
underweight and jaundiced. But he and
Society Camp Scholarships, 6600 W.
his family survived and immigrated to
Maple Road, West Bloomfield, MI
Palestine in 1947, then to the U.S. in
48322; or JARC, 28366 Franklin Road,
1958.
Southfield, MI 48034.
During the Vietnam_War, he served
Interment was at Hebrew Memorial
as a military policerrian in the U.S.
Park, with services and arrangements by
Army and was a bodyguard of Gen.
Hebrew Memorial Chapel. E
William Westmoreland. Mr. Herman

DAVID SACHS
Editorial Assistant

101

6/18

Kind And Classy

state, the Handlemans established,
through the Jewish National Fund,
the Marion and David Handleman
Park in Israel.
arion Handleman — a
The arts played a big role in
beloved volunteer,
Marion Handleman's life.
C
teacher and philan-
At Oakland University's Meadow
thropist in Detroit's
Brook Art Gallery, where she served
Jewish community — "was born with
as president for 10 years, the
the gift of kindness
Handlemans created
and all who knew
the Marion and
her were blessed,"
David Handleman
said David
Scholarship Fund.
Handleman, her
At the Detroit
husband of 58 years.
Institute of Arts,
Mrs. Handleman
where she volun-
died June 14 of
teered, the
pneumonia at
Bloomfield Hills
University Hospital
couple created the
in Ann Arbor. She
Marion and David
was 82.
Handleman Gallery
In October, the
of Contemporary
Handlemans gave $1
Art.
million to the
They also created
Jewish Community
the Marion and
Center of
David Handleman
Metropolitan
Scholarship and
Detroit to renovate
Capital Fund in
Shiffman Hall in the
support of the
Marion
Handleman
D. Dan & Betty
Detroit Symphony
Kahn Building in
Orchestra.
West Bloomfield.
Mrs. Handleman served on the
The gift, part of the Jewish
board of the Children's Center of
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit's
Detroit and was active in the
Millennium Campaign for Detroit's
Women's Division of Federation. She
Jewish Future, will bring a new name
was a University of Michigan gradu-
to the hall: the Marion and David
ate.
Handleman Auditorium.
In addition to her husband, sur-
Robert Aronson, Federation's exec-
vivors include daughter and son-in-
utive vice president, characterized
law Judy and Dennis Murphy of
Mrs. Handleman as "a classy person
Traverse City and son and daughter-
— elegant, sophisticated, lovely."
in-law Alan and Raina Handleman of
He said, "You always felt comfort-
Hollywood, Calif.
able in her presence and privileged to
The family asks that memorials he
be around her.
made to Temple Beth El or a charity
"The arts, children, the communi-
of one's choice. Ira Kaufman Chapel
ty — whatever her cause, people fol-
handled the arrangements.
N
lowed."
A funeral service was held
Until her health declined, Mrs.
Thursday at Temple Beth El. In
Handleman was a board member
1941, Rabbi Leo Franklin of.Temple
who volunteered and taught primari-
Beth El married the Handlemans;
ly on behalf of the elderly at the
they became members of the syna-
JCC.
gogue 10 years later. Handleman
Said JCC President Larry Wolfe:
Hall there is named in tribute to the
"She was a very special person — a
family.
lady who traveled the world and
Rabbi Daniel Syme, who delivered
mingled with many high-powered
the eulogy, met Mrs. Handleman
people, yet felt just as comfortable
shortly after coming to Beth El about- Th
teaching and talking to the elderly
three years ago.
here at the Center."
"One the loveliest things I remem-
Wolfe said she brought great
ber," he said, "was the fierce love that
insight to the JCC, "in terms of what
bound she and David together."
our role should be, how we should
He described Mrs. Randleman as
reach out to the less fortunate and
"one of the kindest people I've ever
how we should make the Center a
known, someone who had a gentle-
home for all Jews."
ness about her that was very endear-
Proponents of a strong Jewish
ing." r."

ROBERT A. SKLAR
Editor

M