NEIGHBORHOODS
111T hough metro Detroit's 96,000 Jews live in communities as diverse as Troy
B R NG HA
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and Royal Oak, there are some areas that traditionally have attracted large
segments of the Jewish community. Over the years, the demographics have
shifted, with the migration continuing to head northwest. Writer Ronelle
Grier and photographer Angie Baan give us a look at nine neighborhoods that have
long been home to Detroit's Jews.
Keri Guten Cohen, SourceBook Editor
BIRMINGHAM
Population:
19,164
Educational Institutions:
Birmingham AISH Center -
AISH Hatorah
THE CITY OF BIRMINGHAM is known for
its tree-lined residential areas and its
bustling downtown streets lined with
upscale shops, restaurants and boutiques.
In the center of the city is Shain Park, home
of the biennial Birmingham Art Fair, out-
door summer concerts and many other
community events.
During the 1830s, Birmingham became
a designated railroad stop between Royal
Oak and Pontiac, which contributed to the
city's growth. That early train station is still
there on Eton Street, just east of the main
downtown area.
The Jewish population of Birmingham
has increased significantly over the last
few decades, according to Shelley
Roberts, director of the city's Community
House, which offers kosher catering for
parties and events. Both the Community
House and the elegant Townsend Hotel
are popular venues for b'nai mitzvah and
Jewish weddings.
Birmingham elected its first Jewish
mayor in 2002, Seth Chafetz, who also
served as the Birmingham's first City
Commissioner.
For the first time last December, a 6-
foot metal menorah was lit in Shain Park,
after a petition filed by members of the
Birmingham Bloomfield Chai Center was
approved by city officials.
AM I LYSPOTLIGHT_
Roberts
S
OAK PARK
S oUTHFIELD
WEST 'BLOOMFIELD
ANN ARB
attorney. "I love the downtown
and the pretty residential areas.
Before Jeff and I were married, we
used to ride our bikes around the
area dreaming about our future
home."
The family belongs to nearby
Temple Beth El; Jeffrey is a fifth-
generation member. Shelley is a
member of the Temple's sisterhood,
and their son George is president of
the youth group and a voting mem-
ber of the temple board. Shelley
is also a member of National
Council of Jewish Women.
Kelley Dorfman Roberts has
more than a passing fancy for
Birmingham. In addition to living
there for the last 32 years, she is
president and CEO of The
Community House.
The family has lived in their
current house for 23 years. Jeffrey
is an owner of Gorman's
Furniture and works out of the
company's Troy store.
He says that living in
Birmingham reminds
him of his childhood in
the Detroit neighbor-
hood of Sherwood
Forest, when he used to
walk to the shops on
Livernois.
"We've loved
Birmingham from the
beginning and have never
considered living in a dif-
ferent community," said
The Roberts family: George,
Lacey, 22, not pictured.
Shelley, who is also an
14, Shelley and Jeffrey.
FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD HANGOUT:
"When the kids were young, we never missed 'Music in the (Shain) Park,' which is still a great
community event," Shelley Roberts said. "We attend most of the special events: The
Community House Jazzfest, the Birmingham House Tour and many others. We love walking
through the downtown, visiting the shops and frequenting the many restaurants in the area.
My son's favorites are Streetside Seafood, 220 and Hunter House. My daughter loves Elie's,
and my husband is a Peabody's fan. Of course, I'm partial to the The Community House Café.
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