Lasting Legacy

ROBERT A.
SKLAR
Editor

, -i-- , . .

emple Beth El Rabbi Leo Franklin's
Judaism of the early 20th century, a
"reformed" Judaism, was diaspora-based, but
rooted in the German Jewish world.
"Judaism is my religion; American is my
country. As long as the Jew lives the right sort
of life in the community, he is as good as any
man," said the late rabbinic pillar of the now
150-year-old synagogue.

Outspoken, visionary and a bridge builder,
Rabbi Franklin led Temple Beth El from 1898
to 1941. He shaped what we now call Classical
Reform from an optimistic vision of the Jewish people and the possi-
bilities of creating a united humanity and Jews participating in a uni
versa! society. The Holocaust all but obliterated that outlook.
Under Story Development Editor Keri Guten Cohen's direction,
Special Writer Heidi S. Christein, former archivist of the Rabbi Leo
M. Franklin Archives at Temple Beth El, wrote our cover story (page s
6-16) on Beth El's first 150 years. Special Writer Suzanne Chessler
wrote a companion piece on "The Best of Beth El: 150 Years A
Musical Retrospective" (page 100).

I'm reminded of one of Rabbi Franklin's legacies. He co-founded
the United Jewish Charities (UJC), now the United Jewish
Foundation, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit's finan-
cial arm. It was he who first sensed a significant return if the various
J ewish charitable groups of the 1890s not only united under one
umbrella coalition but also extended their social service reach.
Spreading philanthropy and assimilating immigrants became the
UJC hallmarks. The UJC strove to make poor Jews from Eastern
Europe self-sufficient while helping them keep their self-respect.
Times have changed, but the local will to give remains, thanks in
part to Rabbi Franklin's legacy.

As the United Jewish Foundation puts it: "From the
Americanization of refuges to the education of children, from corn-
passionate care during the Depression to spirited support for the
newborn State of Israel, the mission evolved and matured, but never
strayed from its original values."

Shabbat Shalom!

A Michigan Press Association
Newspaper of the Year

This Week

18 People — Not Borders

Ex-Prime Minister Shimon Peres
speaks of future in Middle East.

31 A Pause To Remember

Holocaust Memorial Center
marks memory of six million.

Community

44 Celebrating Our Seniors

"Eight Over Eighty"
ceremonies on May 7.

Arts
tertainment

83 A Legacy In Art

Eileen Aboulafia preserves the images
of her family shtetl in JCC exhibit.

Living Well

117 Ringside

Golden Gloves commissioner
plans to rest between bouts.

AppleTree

125 War And Remembrance

On Israel Memorial Day, a look at
the IDF and those who have served.

DETROIT
JEWISH MEWS

tTN

www.detroitjewishnews.com

May 5, 2000

Nisan 30, 5760
Vol. CXVII, No. 12

DEPARTMENTS

Alelbet'cha .......5
AppleTree 125
Bar/Bat Mitzvah .. 64
Births ..... 64
Business
124
Calendar ..... 59
Carla Schwartz .. 122
Community ..... 41
Crossword ....... 89
... Answers
139
Cyber Spot
82
Danny Raskin ....104
Editorials ..... 37
Engagements
70
Food
111
For Openers ....... 5
Health 119
Marketplace . .. 129
Mani Toy! 63
Obituaries .
. 158
Out & About ...... 84
Spirituality
76
Sports ..... 117
The Scene ...... 120
Torah Portion .... 81
Weddings ..... 75

Candlelighting
Friday, May 5
8:19 p.m.

Shabbat ends
Saturday, May 6
9:26 p.m.

Style At The Jewish News

T

oday a glossy, full-color monthly section debuts. We're excited to bring Jewish News readers Style at the Jewish
News, which will feature lifestyle, fashion, home design, travel, local personalities, the arts and more.

As publisher of Style magazine, I'm thrilled to reach out to Jewish News readers, who each month will now receive
Style at the Jewish News in addition to Style magazine, published five times a year and reaching the general community.
I would like to give a special thank you to Style Editor Carla Jean Schwartz and Creative Services Manager Jeffrey
Torok, who developed the Style at the Jewish News concept. Advertising Director Shari Cimino oversaw advertising
content.

AL
DERUSHA
Publisher,
Style Magazine

Due to the tremendous response we have received, Style at the Jewish News will begin appearing in newsstand
copies next month. We welcome your feedback and comment.

iatniao 4a,

Cover:
Photos courtesy
Rabbi Leo M. Franklin
Archives,
Temple Beth El.
Page design, Debbie Schultz

©COPYRIGHT 2000
DETROIT JEWISH NEWS

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