Obituaries are updated regularly and archived on J N Online: www.detroitjewishnews.corn The Jewish News helped my family acclimate itself to the Detroit Jewish communi Energy And Charisma Dr. Irving Kersh, a dentist, until his death in 1998. They were Temple Israel members. She was a Hadassah group hose who knew Belle Kersh leader at one time and also belonged to agree that she was unflag- Pioneer Women and B'nai B'rith Women. gingly energetic and devoted to her family. As her niece Ilene Monkman And, for most of her life, she was one explained, Mrs. Kersh was curious about "hot redhead" with charisma everybody and everything. to burn, said daughter She loved to talk and tell Marilyn Schwartz. stories but also "showed Mrs. Kersh, 92, a former undivided interest in Detroiter of Clearwater, Fla., whomever she spoke to died March 15, 2003. and would ask a million Mrs. Kersh had two long questions." and productive careers. First, Mrs. Kersh "traveled at she was a kindergarten the drop of a hat," her teacher with the Detroit. niece said, and did her Public Schools for more best to visit all of the far- than 40 years. Then, she flung relatives she kept in became a director of son touch with. Few things David Kersh's former Metro gave Mrs. Kersh more Passbooks enterprise — pleasure than taking care Belle Kersh involved in sales and oversee- of her son David's three ing the production and daughters. She frequently printing of the dining-entertainment took the girls places and hosted sleep- overs. coupon books sold in the United States and Canada. David said his mother was fastidious Born in New York City and raised in about her appearance. "Even when she Detroit, Mrs. Kersh finished high school was close to 90, she would not go any- early at age 14 and plunged into work. . where without having her hair done," he Brother Irving Steinberg remembers her said. "Her clothes were always immacu- job in a food market during the late." Depression. Piano playing was one of Belle Kersh's "She always loved people — I never many talents. Marilyn said her mother saw anything like it," he said. "She had played at the Marriott Hotel in brought the customers in." Clearwater as recently as six weeks ago. Mrs. Kersh graduated as a teacher She also retained her charm. Once from Michigan Normal College (the after Marilyn had stepped away, she forerunner of Eastern Michigan returned to find Mrs. Kersh, then in her University) in Ypsilanti. During her dis- 70s, "entertaining. 15 guys in the lobby tinguished career, she introduced innova- of the Hilton Hotel in Phoenix." She tive curricula that eventually were adopt- just looked on in amazement at her ed for all Detroit kindergartners, daugh- charismatic mom. ter Marilyn said. Mrs. Kersh is survived by her sons, When Mrs. Kersh retired from teach- David Kersh of Hawaii, Richard Kersh ing in 1972 at Detroit's Courville of Boca Raton, Fla.; daughter, Marilyn Elementary School, her students were in Schwartz of Clearwater, Fla.; brother tears, said son David. and sister-in-law, Irving and Adel But retiring was not her intention, as Steinberg of Farmington Hills; grand- she turned her talents to Metro children, Jacqueline, Jessie and Ashley Passbooks. Kersh. "She was a whiz at math and could She was the beloved wife of the late sell anything to anyone," David said. Dr. Irving Kersh and dear sister of the At 73, she founded her own business, late Marion Phillips. Metro Publications, to handle produc- Interment was at Machpelah tion of the coupon books. She retired Cemetery. Contributions may be made eight years later in 1991. to a charity of one's choice. Mrs. Kersh was married 63 years to Arrangements by Dorfman Chapel. - Jacqueline, Farmington Hills get it ESTHER ALLWEISS TSCHIRHART Special to the Jewish News ❑ If you're planning a vacation or moving, DON'T FORGET to change your address with BOTH the Detroit Jewish News AND the post office! The post office will only forward your Detroit Jewish News for 60 days maximum. After that, your paper will be held at the post office and destroyed, or returned to us without notification of your new address. 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