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Mazel Toy!

Brothers and Davis Clothing was the beginning of Jack
Halperin's illustrious career in the men's fashion indus-
try.
He owned his own clothing stores in Jewish neigh-
he year was 1914. Woodrow Wilson was
borhoods
around Detroit until he retired in 1963.
president, the Panama Canal opened and
Halperin
married
his first wife, Bessie Millner, in 1924
Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated,
at
Congregation
Shaarey
Zedek when the building was
bringing the world to war.
located
at
Alexandrene
and
Brush. Rabbi A.M.
That same year, 18-year-old Herman Jack Halperin
Hershman performed the wedding. Seventy-eight years
moved with his family to Detroit. Still in Detroit, 88
later, Halperin is still a member of the synagogue.
years later, Halperin celebrated his 106th birthday last
"I used to bring Rabbi [Morris] Adler a new hat for
Sunday with family and friends.
the
High Holidays," Halperin recalls. "He wore a 7
Halperin, the second-youngest of eight children, was
5/8."
born on March 10, 1896 in Donetsk, Russia. His fam-
In 1931, Jack and Bessie had their only child, son
ily immigrated to the United States in 1904, first set-
Jerome.
Halperin now has two grandchildren and
ding in New York City. They lived on the east side of
seven
great-grandchildren.
A third granddaughter
Manhattan, and Halperin's father opened a cigar store
recently
died.
Jack
and
Bessie
had been married for 57
in the Bronx.
years when Bessie died in 1981.
In 1914, Halperin's father read about Henry Ford's
Never one to sit still, Halperin worked part-time in
lucrative offer of $5 a day, and decided that his eldest
other
men's shops, played golf and continued to travel
son needed to investigate the up-and-coming city of
to
Florida
each winter. In 1990, at age 94, Halperin
Detroit. But not just for the work.
married
Harriet
Kirshner, a 78-year-old neighbor in
Because there were three unmarried daughters in the
the
same
apartment•building.
family, Halperin's father surmised that with such high
Jack and Harriet were unstoppable. The couple trav-
wages, Detroit must be full of eligible bachelors for his
eled
the globe, visiting Israel, Hawaii and numerous
daughters. The son reported back that the opportuni-
places
in between. "We loved to travel," explains
ties in Detroit were good and the marital prospects
Halperin, "and I did more of it with Harriet than I did
numerous, so the entire family moved to Detroit in
with my first wife."
1914.
Indeed, Halperin cites air travel as the most signifi-
The plan was a success. Within the next year, all
cant
technological change he has seen in his 106 years.
three daughters were either married or engaged. Two
And
it proved important for his travels, since at the age
years later, in 1916, Halperin — known as Jack —
of
97,
Halperin's son and wife encouraged him to stop
together with his three brothers and one brother-in-law
driving.
"I was getting a little old," he says.
decided to open a men's clothing store. Halperin

LISA BRONSTEIN
Special to the Jewish News

J o

His son Jerry, of West Bloomfield, describes his
father as an "upbeat man, who has a 'life is beautiful'
attitude. He rarely complains and is very optimistic."
Jerry regularly accompanies his father to Knollwood
Country Club in West Bloomfield, where Halperin has
been a member for 70 years, and to Shaarey Zedek on
the High Holidays.
"When my father walks in, it feels like a star has
entered the building," Jerry says. "He has many
friends, and is beloved wherever he goes."
Harriet passed away in 1999, and while Halperin
may have slowed down a little, he certainly hasn't
stopped. Recently, he turned down the opportunity to
have lunch with his son because he didn't want to miss
his exercise class.
"My doctor says I'm his oldest patient," says
Halperin. "He advised me to take a little whiskey every
day.
That prescription, along with a few other pills, keeps
Halperin going. He is in good health, but admits that
his walking has slowed down a bit recently. "I've got
young ideas, my mind is still sharp," he says.
Halperin reads daily and has his own apartment at
the Trowbridge in Southfield. A nurse looks in on him,
and he orders three meals each day, so he doesn't have
to worry about cooking for himself. His birthday cele-
bration included a party thrown for him by the
Trowbridge.
• He attributes his longevity to "clean and honest liv-
ing. I'm thankful for every day of my life," Halperin.
says with a smile. "I'm just happy to be alive." ❑

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the search "through the ages" to help identify the "most senior" members
In
.
unity is s
that comes only with age, and to honor our mothers and fathers in recognition of Older Americans Mon 1.11 M ay,
r e-m ai
the names of those who might fit the category of "oldest Jews in metro Detroit" For an entry form, please call Pat M'
in partnership with the Elderlink nets . :
naayer@frnd.org no later than April I, 2002. This program is sponsored by Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit
andJVS.
work of agencies: Jewish Ap artments & Services, Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Service, Jewish Home an

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3/15
2002

49