Metro

'Celebrating Pure Hearts'

Clover Hill chapel named in honor of local philanthropists.

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Doreen Hermelin, Larry Jackier, chairman, Clover Hill Park Cemetery board,
and Mel Lester

T

he Clover Hill Park Cemetery
chapel has been named the
Davidson/Hermelin Chapel in
recognition of local philanthropists and
community activists William Davidson
and the late David B. Hermelin. They
were recognized for their years of
commitment to the cemetery and
Congregation Shaarey Zedek of Oakland
County.
Clover Hill Park trustees dedicated
the on-site chapel at a private ceremony
and luncheon on June 22. Family mem-
bers, friends, congregational and com-
munity leaders attended.
The chapel, originally opened in
1921, was designed by architect George
V. Pottle, known locally for his work
on the Linwood Theatre and the East
Side Theatre in Detroit. Constructed of
sandstone, the chapel has a hand-laid
mosaic floor. The stained glass windows
and the leaded glass Star of David in the
front are part of the original design.
Funeral services are conducted in the
chapel, and it is used for private medita-
tion.
Davidson served on the Clover Hill
Park Cemetery board and is a past
chairman. He also is a past president

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June 26 • 2008

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Davidson/Hermelin Chapel

of Shaarey Zedek. Davidson, the chair-
man, president and CEO of Guardian
Industries Corp., is majority owner of
the Detroit Pistons basketball team and
Palace Sports & Entertainment.
A major booster of Detroit, the
Bloomfield Hills resident is a commu-
nity philanthropist with strong ties to
educational, health, Jewish and cultural
causes locally and in Israel.
President Bill Clinton appointed
Hermelin as United States ambassador
to Norway in 1997; Hermelin held the
post until 2000. He served on the Clover
Hill Park Cemetery board and was also
a past president of Shaarey Zedek. He
was a renowned local, national and
international leader, philanthropist
and real estate developer. Hermelin, of
Bingham Farms, died in 2000.
During the dedication, Larry Jackier,
chairman of the cemetery's board, said,
"I can't think of two more significant
people in our community and beyond
who deserved to be honored this way"
David Wallace, president of Shaarey
Zedek, added, "Even though the achieve-
ments of these individuals are recog-
nized nationally and internationally, we
take great pride that they were and are

David Wallace

William Davidson

part of our community"
Rabbi Joseph Krakoff of Shaarey
Zedek noted, "We are celebrating two
pure hearts — two individuals truly
larger than life, legends in their profes-
sional lives, respected for their roles in
the community and for their philan-
thropic efforts. We know them as both
lovers of life, our community, Israel and
their Jewish heritage. This chapel will
carry the names of two remarkable men
— remarkable for their Yiddishkeit and
their mentshlichkeit."
On receiving a memorial plaque,
Doreen Hermelin, widow of David
Hermelin, said, "One of the greatest
things that David aspired to was to
be president of Congregation Shaarey

Zedek. To Bill and Karen [Davidson]
and family, it is thrilling for us to be
part of this."
Davidson thanked the Clover Hill
board of trustees for the honor, saying
it is a mitzvah to be able to help people
in their grief. He spoke proudly about
his grandfather and uncle being among
the original donors to the chapel and
praised the cemetery as one of the most
beautiful in the country.
Davidson mentioned that he and
David Hermelin became good friends
and, over the years, traveled together
to Israel and Aspen. He joked that
Hermelin was the better skier.
The dedication ceremony included
an invocation by Rabbi Eric Yanoff of
Shaarey Zedek, a musical selection by
the synagogue's Cantor Meir Finkelstein
and a shofar blowing by Assistant
Cantor Leonard Gutman. ❑

Chapel Facts:

•Approximately 3,000 square feet.
•Seats 200 people.
• Clover Hill opened in 1918 and con-
tains more than 12,500 graves.