Obituaries
`A Caring Human Being'
DAVID SACHS
Senior Copy Editor
lenn Grossman had his pri-
orities right.
His 37-year marriage to
Linda was an "incredible
love story," said their rabbi, Stacie Bahle
of Congregation Ahavat Shalom in
Traverse City.
While battling the cancer that even-
tually claimed him, Mr. Grossman
( waxed poetic" with the rabbi about
(
marriage and friendship — "and how
he and Linda had decided very early on
that they weren't going to worry about
things that weren't important."
And he had lived his life accordingly.
M. Glenn Grossman, who died July
8, 2002, at age 72, practiced law for the
past 18 years in Kalkaska, about 20
miles from his home in Traverse City.
In the legal community, he was known
as an excellent attorney and caring
human being, said Linda Grossman.
"He was totally and thoroughly
.
admired and respected."
Even during his battle with cancer,
said Rabbi Bahle, "he was so committed
to serving his clients, that even at times
when it was a real physical hardship he
managed to get to his office."
Mr. Grossman started out practicing
law with his father, Uarry Grossman.
IDA BERGER, 92, of Oak Park, died
July 4, 2002.
She is survived by her sons and
daughter-in-law, Irving and Mary Lou
Berger of Pensacola, Fla., Albert
Berger of Sylvan Lake; daughter and
son-in-law, Marsha and Bruce Hart of
Woodacre, Calif.; brothers and sister-
in-law, Harry Stoffer of Southfield,
Dr. Benjamin and Rose Stoffer of
California; sister, Anne Miller-Fogel of
Farmington Hills; grandchildren,
Ronald (Linda) Berger, Diana Albers,
Debby (Mike) Slavens, Steven (Keri)
Berger, David (Kumiko) Berger, Hope
Roberts; many dear great-grandchil-
dren. She was the beloved wife of the
late Harry Berger.
Interment at the Hebrew Memorial
Park Cemetery. Contributions may be
made to a charity of one's choice.
Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel.
HAROLD S. BERKE, 84, of West
Bloomfield, died July 2, 2002. He was
114
7/12
2002
130
a fund-raising executive and had been
with Histadrut, Israel Bonds, Yeshiva
valuable to us in our life: the music, the
He continued the practice in Detroit
wonderful Atmosphere for the kids, the
after his father's 1974 death until mov-
Jewish
community and Congregation
ing to Traverse City 10 years later.
Beth El, the recreational
In Detroit, Glenn and
opportunities and just
Linda were active in
the beauty," said Linda.
their Lafayette Park
In Traverse City, the
neighborhood; Glenn
Grossmans helped
was an auctioneer for the
found Congregation
Lafayette Park Art Fair
Ahavat
Shalom in
and they were founding
1997. Glenn brought
members of their syna-
with him the experi-
gogue, Congregation
ence of starting a syna-
T'chiyah.
gogue and his activism
When their friend and
and love for the Jewish
neighbor Detroit City
community, said Rabbi
Councilman Carl Levin
Bahle.
ran for the U.S. Senate
Mr. Grossman helped
in 1978, the roller-skat-
round up minyans for
ing Glenn got his picture
vacationers who needed
on the front page of the
M. Glenn Gro ssman
to say Kaddish and
Free Press during an
served as a "grandfather
Emily Gail Fun Run —
wearing a "C. Levin" hard hat the coun- figure" to the mostly younger congre-
gants whose own families lived out of
cilman had given him and an "I'm for
town.
Carl Levin" T-shirt.
Mr. Grossman was an accomplished,
The Grossmans were devoted to their
adventuresome chef, hosting friends to
family. When the oldest of their three
elegant light-French cuisine dinner par-
children, Liza, began her musical stud-
ties. But most loved was his double-
ies at Interlochen Arts Academy, they
braided challahs, said his wife. "People
visited her often, became familiar with
would be over to eat and they would go
the area and eventually moved to near-
nuts over his challahs. They were huge
by Traverse City.
and delicious."
"Traverse City was a good central
Mr. Grossman, an'avid reader, wrote
location for all the things that were
University and Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit. He also served
during World War II in the Royal
Canadian Air Force, was a member of
the Labor Zionist Organization and a
member of Farband.
Mr. Berke is survived by his wife of
63 years, Faigel Berke; daughter and
son-in-law, Nomi and Judge Michael
Wilenkin of-West Bloomfield; son and
daughter-in-law, Lawrence and
Moreen Berke of West Bloomfield;
grandchildren, Ilana, Benjamin and
Miriam Wilenkin, Elisa and Keith
Haines, Dena and Daniel Berke; sister,
Reva Carson of Toronto. Interment at
Adat Shalom Memorial Park.
Contributions may be made to the
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit Israel Emergency Fund.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.
DAVID W. BIEDERMAN, 94, of
West Bloomfield, died July 8, 2002.
He was an accountant.
Mr. Biederman is survived by sons
and daughters-in-law, Dr. Michael and
Sheri Biederman of Farmington Hills,
Dr. Neil and Sharon Biederman of
West Bloomfield; grandchildren, Dr.
Jason and Dr. Maria Biederman, Lisa
Biederman, Sara Biederman, Robert
Biederman and Emily Biederman;
great-grandchild, Ethan Biederman.
He was the beloved husband of the
late Betty Biederman. Interment at
Machpelah Cemetery. Contributions
may be made to the Alzheimer's
Association, 17220 W. 12 Mile Road,
Suite 100, Southfield, MI 48076.
Arrangements by Ira Kaufman Chapel.
.
DR. JAMES BITTKER, 77, of
Bloomfield Hills, died July 6; 2002.
He was a dentist with a practice in
Warren for 41 years. He was a native
of Detroit and graduated from the
University of Michigan Dental School.
Dr. Bittker served as a lieutenant in
the U.S. Navy as a dental officer,
returned to Detroit to establish a den-
tal practice and founded the Redwood
Dental Clinic of Warren. After retiring
from dentistry, he attended the Center
poetry and played the piano and "what-
ever instrument he picked up," said his
wife, be it a harmonica, concertina or
guitar.
Daughter Liza now leads an orchestra
in Cleveland. Daughter Sadie, who also
attended Interlochen, is an actor in Los
Angeles. Son Adam,.a mechanic in
Cleveland, shares "the heart of his
daddy," said Linda. Adam and wife
Sherri provided Glenn with his "two
happiest Shabbats," said Rabbi Bahle.
"The baby namings for his granddaugh-
ters, Shoshanna and Avigial, were his
highest and happiest moments at the
synagogue. His real delight was his fam-
ily."
M. Glenn Grossman is survived by
his wife, Linda; daughters, Liza
Grossman of Cleveland and Sadie
Grossman of Los Angeles; son and
daughter-in-law, Adam and Sherri
Grossman of Cleveland; granddaugh-
ters, Shoshanna and Avigial Orem
Grossman; sister and brother-in-law,
Susan and Donald Lifton; sister-in-law
and brother-in-law, Nancy Wayburn
Cain and Paul Krassner.
Interment was at Beth El Memorial
Park. A memorial service will be held
July 15 at Congregation Ahavat Shalom
in Traverse City.
Contributions may be made to Dr.
Harry Erba's Fund, Division of
Hematology and Oncology, University
of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center
Drive, Ann Arbor 48109, or to a chari-
ty of one's choice. Arrangements by Ira
Kaufman Chapel.
❑
for Creative Studies
and became an
award-winning
Detroit fine art pho-
tographer and photo-
journalist. His prints
have been displayed
in juried exhibitions
throughout
Michigan. Since
Dr. James
1994 his fine art
Bittker
prints have been
selected each year for
display at the Detroit Scarab Club's
annual Michigan Photography Show
and he was a medal winner at the
1997 Scarab Club Show. He has con-
tributed his photographic expertise to
projects of the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit, the Wheeler
Division of the Detroit Free Press
Marathon, JARC and the Jewish
Home for Aging.
Dr. Bittker was a member of Alpha
Omega Dental Society, the Fresh Air
Society and the Michigan Dental
Association. In addition to photogra-