Family Focus
'Cooking' Up A Reunion
The Cook family's gathering spurs a glimpse into future inspired by a look at past.
In 2007, marking the Cooks' 100 years in America are Earl Friedman, seated; Front
row: Matthew, Madeleine and Lindsay Schindler, Helene Glassman of Farmington Hills,
Linda Plasko of West Bloomfield and Marla Schindler. Second row: Richard Glassman of
Farmington Hills, Alan Schindler and Mike Friedman and Gail Baker of Berkley; Back row
Jodie Friedman, Jeff Schindler of Clawson and Christina and Bryan Schindler of Novi.
Shelli Liebman Dorfman
Senior Writer
A
t five weeks old, Madeleine
Schindler was unconcerned
about making family history by
attending a Sept. 2, 2007, event. In fact, she
slept through the entire family reunion
that marked the 100th anniversary of her
ancestors, Fannie and Meyer Cook, settling
in America.
With many of the Cooks' descendants
living in the Detroit area, branches of the
family have often gathered. But last Labor
Day weekend was the first reunion in 10
years.
"I have very fond memories of large
family gatherings that were attended by
my grandparents, Sam and [Fannie and
Meyer's daughter] Daisy Friedman, my
great aunts and uncles, and many, many,
cousins," said Marla Schindler of Oak Park,
who is Madeleine's grandmother. "These
were never fancy or elaborate parties, as
we weren't fancy people. We were just fam-
ilies that enjoyed being together, eating
together and staying close to one another
as best we could.
"As our families grew larger and every-
one became busier, it became more dif-
ficult for us to get together, aside from the
`occasion gatherings, such as weddings,
bar and bat mitzvahs and funerals."
In 1986, Fanny and Meyer Cook's children and their spouses at a gathering in
Southfield. Front row: daughter-in-law Dorothy Cook and daughter Rose Cook
Ettinger. Second row: son Jack Cook, daughter-in-law Clara Cook, son Charlie Cook,
son Sammy Cook, daughter Daisy Cook Friedman, son Oscar Cook and daughter-in-
law Jeanette Cook.
Earlier Event
Indiana, Georgia, Ohio and Massachusetts.
In 1998, the "Cook Family Reunion;' orga- They ranged in age from Fannie and
nized by Fannie and Meyer's grandson,
Meyer's 93-year-old niece, Ruth Garnitz
Jerry Cook of West Bloomfield, was high-
of Indiana, to little Madeleine, the first
lighted by a bus tour, tracing the family
member of the sixth generation of Fannie
history from Detroit to the suburbs.
and Meyer's descendants. She attended
Cook told stories: Meyer came in 1905;
with her parents, Matthew and Lindsay
Fannie, their four chil-
Schindler of Oak Park.
dren and Fannie's sister
The reunion was held
in 1907. Coming from
in the Farmington Hills
Russia, they went through
clubhouse of the condo-
Ellis Island and settled
minium where Fannie
in Kalamazoo, where two
and Meyer's grandson
more children were born.
Earl Friedman lives.
Around 1912, the family
The date was chosen to
moved to Detroit, where
coincide with the 50th
their youngest son was
anniversary celebration
born and where Meyer
of Cook granddaugh-
opened a shoe repair shop.
ter Barbara Goodman
In 1998, 40 family
and husband Paul of
members journeyed to
Huntington Woods. The
where Meyer Cook's store
couple invited reunion
had been on Detroit's near Fannie and Meyer Cook
guests to an anniversary
east side and past the
celebration dinner at the
synagogues and schools their ancestors
Wildlife Interpretive Gallery at the Detroit
attended and the homes they lived in.
Zoo the night before the actual reunion.
Last year, "We decided it was time to
The reunion party was attended by 57
gather again to honor this milestone
family members, including some who
[100th anniversary] of our ancestors:'
knew Fannie and Meyer.
Schindler said.
Jerry Cook was a young boy when his
A committee of nine family members
grandparents died but he remembers
from four generations — including
Bubbie and Zaydie Cook and their chil-
Schindler — planned the Cook Centennial dren and spouses "as good, sweet, honest
Reunion. Guests came from Arizona,
men and women, whose love and hard
work helped pave the way for our success
and happiness in this great country"
Keeping In Touch
The reunion was a place for the younger
family members to learn from the older
generations.
"The demographics of the Cook family
are at a point where the majority of us are
in adulthood to senior age range, making
family more precious than ever before
Schindler said. "Only Jeanette Cook and
Clara Cook [Fannie and Meyer's daugh-
ters-in-law], survive from their seven chil-
dren and their spouses."
Cook great-great-granddaughter Jodie
Friedman, 23, of Farmington Hills found
an easy way to keep the family bonds
alive. "The younger Cooks would never
have gotten the opportunity to meet like
we did;' she said. "But because we live in
such a technology driven world, after the
reunion we decided to keep in contact
through Facebook" [Web site].
Together Again
The event also reunited relatives, including
members of an entire side of the family.
"Meyer's brother's family, who had not
stayed in touch over the years, joined
us and reconnected with each other;'
Schindler said.
Reunion on page C4
March 20 • 2008
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