FOREVER OURS
AMBASSADOR DAVID B. HERMELIN, 1936-2000
DAVID'S ENT0H6JSFkASINV41, 0A8DE LLOVE:
"A great man has fallen
this day in Israel."
— II Samuel, Chapter 3
N
o statement could better capture
our feelings on the passing of
David Hermelin.
So much has been written
about David's rich legacy of commit-
ment and contributions — to America,
to Israel, to Detroit and the Jewish
community here and around the world,
to Jewish education, to cancer research
and to every other charity that one can
imagine. So I thought it more appropri-
ate to sing about David Hermelin, the
friend, mentor and fellow volunteer.
I only wish I had the ability to write
lyrics because it would be more appro-
priate to sing about David even though
our hearts are filled with sorrow.
At the funeral, Rabbi Irwin Groner
of Congregation Shaarey Zedek
described the seven facets of David —
but I believe there were more than
seven. How could one man be in so
many places, do so many things and
still be a friend, mentor and all-around
great guy to so many people?
Observing him for more than 20
years, I never ceased to be amazed at
Jane Sherman, a longtime friend of
David Hermelin, lives in Franklin.
David wrote a new song for
how he could do so much, think
almost
every meeting to inspire
about so many things, give so
and
motivate.
much advice and keep everyone
David was convinced that if a
and everything straight without
prospective
donor said "no," it
missing a beat.
was only the beginning of the
It was David, my fellow vol-
JANE
SHERMAN
conversation.
unteer and mentor, who taught
Specid to the
David had time for everyone.
us never to say something
Jewish News
He taught us how to give —
couldn't be done. He immedi-
our hearts, our minds and, of
ately returned every call. He
course, our money — for the right rea-
was there for you to discuss problems
sons.
and help solve them, no matter where
David, my friend, took great joy in
he was in the world. Many times, that
seeing others reap pleasure from a sug-
meant flying back to Detroit to help
gestion he made or something he
when needed.
urged them to do — whether it was
As we planned the first Michigan
buying a house, taking a trip or mak-
Miracle Mission to Israel in 1993, it
was David who told us to order a third ing a business decision.
David, my friend, taught us how
El Al plane because we were sure
much
easier it was to say "yes" than
1,300 people (in fact more) would
"no."
He
believed every hour of every
want to join him and Doreen in Israel.
day
was
to
be enjoyed and wanted
It was David who thought of every-
everyone to be there with him.
thing for both the first and second
Even though he received many
Miracle Missions. David made sure the
awards, he was happier to call you
shops in Israel stayed open into the
with the announcement that you
night so mission participants could
would receive an award.
help the Israeli economy. David had
He attended every wedding, bar
the chutzpah to sing on erev Shabbat at
mitzvah,
brit and birthday parry he
the southern steps of the Western Wall
was
invited
to — even if it meant
— now known as the Hermelin steps.
David could sit through any meeting flying from Norway for 24 hours just
for a cocktail or lunch. He would
and have the ability to cut right to the
attend four or five occasions in one
heart of the matter — all the time.
evening so no one would feel left out.
David made everything seem so easy
He not only told jokes, he supplied
that one always wanted to try.
WORLD CHAMPION OF LIFE
Thirty-five years ago, my classmates
and I were first exposed to the
"Hermelin Magic."
David Hermelin's daughter Marcie
was in our class at Stevenson
Elementary School in Southfield. Her
JOEL E.
dad would come perform a magic
JACOB
Speciai to the
show with his great sense of humor.
Jewish News
At age 7, I knew that Marcie
Hermelin Orley had a very special
dad. Over the next 35 years, David would have a
profound impact on my life and the life of so many
others around the world. He was our leader at a
young age. It began with his famous old fire truck.
He would drive around the neighborhood on
Halloween making announcements over the loud-
speaker, telling us which house had the best treats. I
can still hear his voice: "Kids, the Boeskys are giving
out silver dollars; everyone to the Boeskys!"
Growing up at Congregation Shaarey Zedek, I
began to realize what an impact David had on our
synagogue and on Jewish life. He made it fun and
the place to be. He just loved being Jewish and
always wanted to share this experience with every-
one.
In 1988, David and Doreen and I, along with a
few others from Detroit, decided to go to Russia to
help gain the freedom of the Jews who were not
allowed to leave. We were told that we would be
under constant surveillance from the KGB. We were
given specific instructions before leaving to be unas-
Joel E. Jacob, who considered David Hermelin
a mentor, is a West Bloomfield resident.
CHAMPION OF LIFE
on page 37
jokes, stories and sayings for whatever
occasion — always willing to share his
material.
He never sat still. If you were sitting
alone with him at a restaurant or din-
ner (though being alone with David
was rare), he made you feel like the
most important person in the world.
David always skied straight down
the slopes, never making a turn — just
as he lived his life. And yet, he would
always stop long enough to help those
who had fallen.
David, the friend, never displayed
ego, no matter the prominence he
achieved and important friends he
made, including presidents, kings,
queens and ambassadors. He never for-
got his beginnings, describing himself
as David from Pasadena Avenue; and
he always had time for everyone.
David, the friend, shared with us his
greatest treasure and best friend, his
beloved Doreen, the constant in his life.
Every encounter we had with David
made us richer, not necessarily in
pocket, but surely in life.
David, your greatest legacy will be
that those of us who knew and loved
you will try each day to emulate you.
Your high standards will be our goal,
your enthusiasm and your love for
others our model.
David, this one's just for you:
Goodnight, Humphrey.
❑
David
Hermelin
makes his
famous
salami
sandwiches
and Diane
Hauser
hands them
out for
people at
the Minsk
Airport in
October
1988.