kkh% Akikv4
Mazel Tov!
Three's
A Charm
"But just to make sure about everything, we
repeated our vows at Temple Israel on our 50th
anniversary."
Told by an anti-Semitic U-M dean that "we
ophia and Dr. Max Newman loved get-
already have too many of your kind" in the
ting married so much that they had
medical field, Max said he was thwarted in his
three weddings.
first attempt to enter medical school there, but
Getting married to each other more
he and a group of other Jewish students made it
than once may be the secret to long-lasting rela-
an issue — and the dean eventually was ousted.
tionships, because on Tuesday, July 23, they cel-
Max graduated fifth in his class, and later creat-
ebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
ed the Newman Family Foundation, making sig-
It's an amazing accomplishment in an era
nificant contributions for U-M physical medi-
s
divorce
rate
is
close
to
50
per-
when the nation
cine students. He also helped start the American
cent, engagements are often broken and
Academy of Physical Medicine and
romances seem to change with the wind.
Rehabilitation, which now has 7,000 members
Dr. Newman, 93, has been a physician for 68
nationwide.
years and still practices with his two sons at the
Max still drives and sees about five patients a
Detroit Institute of Physical Medicine and
week
in his own office, lined with more than
Rehabilitation in Southfield. Mrs. Newman, 91,
100 plaques and certificates. He keeps up with
pretty much sticks around their Bloomfield
advances in his field by taking the required 150
Township home. They observed the big anniver-
hours of classes, seminars and written exams
sary at a quiet family dinner.
yearly.
He even prepares quizzes on new medical
Sophia Rosenzweig's parents came from
techniques
for his sons, Dr. Donald Newman
Poland and England to Louisville, Ky., where
and
Dr.
Steven
Newman, both of Bloomfield
she was born, then to the Detroit area to open a
Township.
The
senior Newmans' other children
tailor shop. She attended Wayne University and
are
Martin,
of
Southfield,
Phyllis of Dallas and
became a Detroit teacher.
Geoffrey of Kansas City. There also are 10
Born in Massachusetts, Max Karl Newman
grandchildren.
arrived in the area with his Polish parents, who
Sophia and Max lived in Arizona for 11 years,
opened a clothing business. He had a bar mitz-
where
he maintained a practice, before returning
vah at a small Orthodox synagogue on Division
to
Michigan
because they "missed the family."
Street in Detroit, attended Cass Technical High
He
cites
lower
back pain as the most prevalent
School, Wayne University and the University of
complaint among patients today. He points out
Michigan's medical school (Class of '34). •
that people can often avoid surgery by "trying
The couple met at a friend's Walled Lake cot-
the many rehabilitation techniques to treat
tage. Max said he "knew the first day I saw her
that I would marry her, because of her personali- chronic neurological diseases."
Dr. Donald Newman comments: "Other
tY.
areas
of medicine add years to a person's life;
Walking with a limp to this day due to polio,
he's
been
adding life to those years. My par-
Max said Sophia made him feel comfortable,
and "accepted me for who I was." Sophia said he ents are amazing, and we're all proud of
them."
"had a physical impairment, not a handicap."
Once honored at an Israel Bonds dinner,
Their First wedding took place a year later,
the
Newmans belong to "every Jewish organi-
July 23, 1932, by a justice of the peace in
zation
there. is," says Max.
Franklin, Pa., where Max was doing a hospital
What
advice do they have for marriage
externship. "I borrowed $3 from her to pay the
longevity?
"Always follow the Golden Rule,"
judge," Max recalls. "She was working then and
says
Sophia,
who had three siblings who also
I wasn't."
reached their 90s. Adds Max: "Always work
But Sophia's father wanted the couple to have
things out together, and use your own parents
a religious marriage, so they were wed again, by
as
a standard for your marriage. 'We've seen it
a Reform rabbi in Erie, Pa. Then Max's parents
all
... depressions, wars, faltering economies.
wanted a more religious ceremony, so they were
But
I'm confident the younger generation will
married again, by an Orthodox rabbi at home.
be
successful
and work everything out." El
"I think that satisfied everyone," Max says.
BILL CARROLL
Special to the Jewish News
Di: Max and Sophia Newman
'
The Newmans'
penchant for
getting it right
has carried them
)3
70 years.
7/26
2002
51