Obituaries
A Heart Of Gold
was past chairman of the executive
form acts of kindness for strangers and
committee of the State of Israel Bonds
was a friend to the Arab-American
StaffWriter
of Greater Detroit.
community.
A member of the Temple Shir
A
smiling
photo
of
Mr.
Allan
in
the
hose who met Norman Allan
Shalom
and Temple Beth El, both
Adat
Shalom
foyer
exemplifies
his
couldn't help but notice the
Reform
congregations,
Mr. Allan also
involvement
with
the
congregation
that
enormous gold-chained chai
was involved with
continued
until
illness
and mogen Dovid he wore
Chabad and the for-
intervened. He gained
around his neck. According to Rabbi
mer Young Israel of
satisfaction in regularly
Daniel Nevins, "He was not bashful
Detroit. Rabbi
joining the Jewish teens
about showing off his religion."
Nevins said Mr. Allan
attending the weekly
A supporter of a multitude of organi-
knew "Jews needed
Nosh and D'rosh reli-
zations, owner of many businesses and
support in all their
gious
school
dinner
gath-
member of several synagogues, Mr.
different attitudes."
ering.
On
Friday
nights,
Allan, of West Bloomfield, died Dec. 25
He received the
he
escorted
those
saying
of respiratory failure at the age of 87.
Distinguished Service
Kaddish into services and
Adat Shalom Synagogue was home
Award
from Yeshiva
attended minyan twice a
to Mr. Allan, and it was fitting, Rabbi
University
in New
day for many years, pass-
Nevins said, that the funeral service
York,
and
was
a past
ing out tallitot and col-
took place in the synagogue sanctuary.
vice-president
and
lecting the prayer books.
A procession of Jewish War Veterans
board member of
Mr. Allan knew how
was among 500 mourners at the Dec.
Hillel Day School of
to
enjoy
himself.
His
son
27 service, stopping to salute the casket,
Metropolitan Detroit.
Lawrence
said
he
was
a
Norman Allan
draped in an American flag. Daughter-
He
was a member of
great table-tennis player
in-law Danielle Allan said Mr. Allan
the
Cantors
and, as a youth, "he culti-
was "so proud of his service in the navy
Assembly,
the
Zionist
Organization of
vated business for his brother Alfred's
in World War II in the Pacific."
America
and
B'nai
B'rith.
jewelry store in a pool hall, using the
Cantor Howard Glantz created
He was a past vice president of the
nickname Doc Allan."
and performed an arrangement with
Jewish National Fund, a patron of the
Mr.
Allan
was
a
founding
member
of
a three-person choir to honor Mr.
Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Oak Park
the Northwest Hebrew Congregation
Allan's memory.
Symphony and Jewish Community
that
later
became
Adat
Shalom,
where
Mr. Allan was a gemologist and
Center Orchestra and a life member of
he
was
president
four
terms.
He
was
founder of Norman Allan Company, a
Perfection Lodge of the Masons,
also among those who funded the pre-
Detroit import-export business, provid-
Shriners and NAACP.
sent synagogue building in Farmington
ing jewelry to the military in their base
His Allan Towers provides low-
Hills, and helped fund-raise during
exchanges in the Orient.
income
housing for senior citizens in
Adat
Shalom's
financial
struggles
in
the
A pioneer in the discount business,
Detroit.
early
1970s.
he also owned American Supply
Mr. Allan is survived by his son
Among his many religious affilia-
Company, a wholesale distribution
and
daughter-in-law, Lawrence and
tions
was
a
strong
connection
with
business and E. L. Rice catalog show-
Danielle Allan of Franklin; daughter,
the
Yeshiva
Beth
Yehudah
in
room company, selling appliances,
Nancy Sturman of Detroit; grandchil-
Southfield. In recognition of his
housewares and electronics.
dren, Meredith Allan, Beth Allan,
assistance in establishing its Beth
Since 1977, he ran Norman Allan
Eric Allan, Romy and Jeff Windon,
Jacob School for Girls in Oak Park,
and Son in Bingham Farms, an estate
Caron and Alex Martinez of Mesa,
it
was
renamed
in
memory
of
his
and pawn brokerage business, with his
Ariz., Robert and Stacey Alexander,
daughter
Sally
Allan
Alexander,
who
son, Lawrence Allan.
David Sturman, Fred Sturman; four
passed away in 1974. Students of the
Hard work and business opportuni-
great-grandchildren; sisters and broth-
school
attended
the
funeral
of
the
ties gave him means, said Rabbi Nevins,
er-in-law, Jean and David Steen of
zayde.
man
they
came
to
call
adding that Mr. Allan was the "cnretak-
Florida, Rose Paull of Huntington
Yeshiva President Gary Torgow
er of the money God placed in his
Woods,
Elizabeth Frank of Florida,
called Mr. Allan "an extraordinary
hands to give to the people."
Nettie
Cohen
of Oak Park and sister-
human being with tremendous corn-
The rabbi said, "He exhibited a
in-law,
Sophie
Allan of Florida. Mr.
passion
for
every
individual,
no
mat-
righteous zeal to help others and an
Allan
was
the
loving
father of the late
ter
what
their
station
in
life.
He
enthusiastic support for good causes,"
Terry
Allan
and
the
late
Sally Allan
devoted
himself
to
a
myriad
of
causes,
calling those good deeds, "the song of
Alexander.
bringing
a
warmth
and
vibrancy
to
his life."
Interment at Adat Shalom
everything he touched."
Rabbi Nevins described Mr. Allan as
Memorial
Park. Contributions may be
Mr. Allan was a past president of the
"passionate and loving of only one
directed
to
Adat Shalom Synagogue
Detroit Businessmen's Group-City of
woman, Esther," his wife. The rabbi
or
a
charity
of one's choice.
Hope and was honored as its first "Man
described her 1985 death as an event
Arrangements
by Ira Kaufman
of
the
Year."
He
was
a
recipient
of
the
that "shook Norman to the core."
LI
Chapel.
Presidential
Achievement
Award
from
Mr. Allan had a love for Israel, visit-
President Ronald Reagan in 1980 and
ing frequently. He was known to per-
SHELLI DORFMAN
T
12/31
1999
116
ISRAEL ABRAMOVITZ, 91, of
Oak Park, died Dec. 26.
He is survived by his wife, Sylvia
Abramovitz; daughters and son-in-
law Elana and Sandor Adler of
Walled Lake, Sima Abramovitz of
Farmington Hills; grandchildren
Larry and Susan Adler, Jeff and
Nancy Adler, Jenifer and Mitch
Rosenwasser; great-grandchildren
Stephanie Adler, Evan Adler,
Mitchell Adler, Eden Adler, and
Jesse Adler.
Contributions may be made to
Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital,
First Ave., New York, NY;
Congregation Beth Ahm, 5057 W.
Maple, West Bloomfield, MI 48322;
or the Jewish Community Center,
6600 W. Maple, West Bloomfield,
MI 48322. Interment was at Adat
Shalom Memorial Park.
Services and arrangements by
Hebrew Memorial Chapel.
HARRIET BARRETT, 53, of West
Bloomfield, died Dec. 22. Ms.
Barrett was a teacher at Webster
Elementary School in Pontiac.
She is survived by her daughter,
Joy Barrett of Seattle; son Brad
Barrett of California; sisters and
brother-in-law Susan Jesella of New
York, Frances and Mark Kramer of
California.
Interment was at Clover Hill Park
Cemetery. Contributions may be
made to the American Cancer
Society. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel.
BEN BERMAN, 72, of West
Bloomfield, died Dec. 23.
He is survived by his wife,
Marilyn; son Alan Berman of West
Bloomfield; sister and brother-in-law
Helen and Steven Goldin of Oak
Park.
Contributions may be made to
American Cancer Society, 29350
Southfield Road, Suite 110,
Southfield, MI 48076. Services and
interment were at Adat Shalom
Memorial Park. Arrangements by
Hebrew Memorial Chapel.
LEONARD BRAND, 80, of
Southfield, died Dec. 26. Mr. Brand
was the owner of Gannon Real
Estate and was a member of the
Michigan Board of Realtors.
He is survived by his wife, Ann
Brand; son and daughter-in-law
Jeremy and Emily Brand of West
Bloomfield; daughters and sons-in-
law George and Jody Collet of
Orchard Lake, Jenene and Curtis