Metro Remembering Albert Kahn New book, four-week class focus on groundbreaking architect. Diana Lieberman Special to the Jewish News A lbert Kahn (1869-1942), the oldest son of an immigrant Jewish family, rose to promi- nence as one of America's most prolific architects. From his Detroit studios, he designed and constructed buildings of all sorts throughout the United States and abroad. In Michigan, his works include the Fisher Building in Detroit, 17 projects at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and two buildings for his synagogue, Temple Beth El (1903 and 1923). Kahn's achievements have been thor- oughly recounted in several academic biographies. The Horatio Alger-style story of his life has even appeared in comic book format. But, according to Kahn's friend, Henry M. Butzel, who served as chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, Albert Kahn was distinguished by "his loyalty to his family and friends." These traits are evident in the letters to his children and granddaughters published for the first time in Albert Kahn and His Family in Peace and War (Bentley Historical Library, 2008) by William R. Brashear. Brashear's late wife, Lydia, was Albert Kahn's granddaughter, and Brashear was Benefit Honors Judge The annual benefit of the Michigan Psychoanalytic Foundation will pay trib- ute to Judge Edward Sosnick on Friday, Nov. 14, at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi. The evening will include a reception, dinner and the musical parody troupe of local attorneys, A (Habeas) Chorus Line. Sosnick is a member Judge Sosnick of the Foundation's Advisory Board and has a long history of commitment to the men- tal health needs of the community as a strong voice and advocate for family men- tal health. He served three six-year terms on the bench in Oakland County Circuit Court and is presiding judge-options for the Oakland County Family-Focused Juvenile Drug Court. He is co-founder A26 October 16 • 2008 ;IN able to draw on numerous archival mate- rials inherited from her mother, Ruth Rothman, who was Albert Kahn's second daughter. Conversations with Rothman and her only brother, the late neurosur- geon Dr. Edgar Kahn, add a unique per- spective. Brashear also includes many of Kahn's graceful architectural drawings. The book is divided into two sections: "The Turbulent Twenties" and "The War, Ed and Eddie." The first part traces Albert Kahn's family life, professional develop- ment and artistic interests. In the second section, Brashear presents evidence that the architect's rapid design and con- struction of the Chrysler tank facility in Warren, facilitated the winning of the cru- cial World War II battles El Alemain and Stalingrad. Other reminiscences by Edgar Kahn and son-in-law, Edward Rothman, round out the section. The book took Brashear, a Birmingham resident and semi-retired lawyer, about eight years to write. "The impetus was that there was so much about Albert Kahn and his family that hadn't come out, and it should;' he said. "It is, in a sense, a eulogy;' he writes in the book's preface, "but hopefully one con- vincingly documented by the subject's own words and actions and those of others who knew him weir ❑ of SMILE (Start Making It Liveable for Everyone), a court-sponsored program for divorcing couples. Call (248) 851-3380 to place a business ad or a message of appreciation for Judge Sosnick and to obtain tickets. Visit the Web site at mpi-mps.org to learn more about the foundation's community out- reach activities. Preschool Expands Gan Shalom preschool at Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak Park has expanded the program to include a new class for 2 year olds beginning in January 2009. The preschool has grown from six children in 2005 to 36 children. "Our chil- dren are nurtured with care and the love of language," said Susan Gartenberg of Bloomfield Hills, director of Gan Shalom Parenting Center and Preschool. "We have a bilingual, Hebrew and English and maintain a low teacher child Architect Albert Kahn, center with crossed arms, poses with his parents and seven siblings in this photo circa 1890. Kahn Class Begins Learn more about Albert Kahn as the Society of Active Retirees (SOAR) pres- ents a four-week class titled "The Architecture of Albert Kahn." The class, to be taught by Norma Goldman, a retired Wayne State University professor who has studied Kahn's work since 1976, will take place from 10 a.m.-noon, Thursdays Oct., 23, 30, Nov. 6,13. The class, which will take place at the WSU Oakland Center, 33737 W.12 Mile Road, Farmington Hills, is limited to 60 participants. Registration is required. For additional information, please call the SOAR office at (248) 489-0005, or e-mail soar@wayne.edu . ratio to be able to meet the needs of each child!' The preschool offers music and two fit- ness programs, zoophonics, creative move- ment and science exploration inclusive to the curriculum. Classes are offered five days per week with early and after care from 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. The new January class is limited to 12. Interested families can contact Susan Gartenberg, (248) 547-7970, ext. 234. Lecture Features Historian On Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m., the Rabbi Leo M. Franklin Archives of Temple Beth El and the Mary Einstein Shapero Memorial Lecture Series in Bloomfield Township will present historian Marc Leepson in a discussion of his book Saving Monticello. The book traces the story of Uriah Phillips Levy, the United States' first Jewish-American Naval war hero, and his role in saving Thomas Jefferson's beloved home — Monticello. In the book, Leepson chronicles the Levy family's commitment to the preservation of this national monu- ment. Leepson was a staff writer for the Congressional Quarterly in Washington, D.C., until 1986 when he began his freelance career. Since that time, he has authored six books and appeared on radio and television programs. The presentation is open to the com- munity. Admission is $7. There is no charge for Friends of the Rabbi Leo M. Franklin Archives. Leepson's book will be available for purchase. Those who join the Friends of the Rabbi Leo M. Franklin Archives at the Family Level ($72) will receive a copy of Saving Monticello and admission to the lecture at no additional charge. For reservations, call Jan Durecki, (248) 851-1100, ext. 3137.