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Family Focus

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Long Life
Together

Philanthropists Jack and
Miriam Shenkman celebrate
70 years of marriage,
almost 90 years of living.

Ronelle Grier
Special to the Jewish News

Shenkman family and
the Jewish community
danced the night away in
70th wedding anniversary is
honor of the remarkable
a milestone few couples are
couple who has touched
lucky enough to reach, so Jack
so many lives.
and Miriam Shenkman wanted to be
"I got to go to a lot
Miriam and Jack Shenkman at their anniversary party at the Shul-Chabad Lubavitch
sure their celebration was as special as
of chicken dinners:'
the marriage they have shared for so
said Marsha Baker, the
many years.
Shenkman's oldest grandchild, who now
Lubavitch movement and special friends party on Sunday night — complete with
Their hope was fulfilled when four
lives in Dallas, Texas. "I have so many
of the late Rebbe Menachem Mendel
a keepsake board that included pictures
generations of Shenkmans, including
fabulous memories. They were like
Schneerson, they have contributed to
of the bride and groom, their marriage
11 grandchildren and 14 great-grand-
another set of parents to me."
many institutions, including the Chabad ketubah and a copy of the hotel bill from
children, came from cities throughout
The Shenkmans' 70th anniversary,
House in Ann Arbor.
their honeymoon. Each guest was given a
the United States and Israel to spend
which was Sept. 15, is not their only
Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov of the Shul
jar of honey to take home, accompanied
a weekend celebrating the marriage of
milestone this year; also, Jack turned 90
said it is fitting that the couple chose to
by the Shenkmans' wishes for a sweet year.
two people who have served as lead-
on May 24, and Miriam will celebrate
hold their celebration at the Jack and
When asked about her secret for
ers and role
her 90th birth-
Miriam Shenkman Building at the Shul,
remaining happily married for 70 years,
models for the
day on Oct. 10.
which they were instrumental in estab-
Miriam replied, "Love and respect and
Jewish com-
"Being their
lishing.
tolerance. But first you have to start with
munity as well
daughter was
"The Scriptures tell us that a lifetime
good material — and I got the best."
as for their
a wonderful
for most people is 70 years," Shemtov
The Shenkmans' son, Martin, who lives
own family.
experience," said
said. "The Shenkmans are privileged
in Tenafly, N.J., said that his parents taught
"It was won-
Baker's mother,
to build an entire lifetime together and
him many things that have been helpful in
derful; very
Elaine Beresh of
achieve so much. To celebrate here is a
his own marriage to Patti, his wife of eight
emotional," said
West Bloomfield.
testament to their love for Yiddishkeit
years.
granddaugh-
"They taught us
and their values!'
"I learned about dedication, about put-
ter Chayala
the importance of
Jack Shenkman has a long history of
ting each other first:' he said. "You have to
Shenkman,
giving and doing;
success as a real estate and retail devel-
take care of the marriage before you can
who came from
and they passed
oper, including the Livonia Mall, one of
take care of your kids or the community."
Israel with her
that on to their
the first enclosed shopping centers in
Not all of the Shenkman's generosity is
The Shenkmans' ketubah from 1940
husband, Hillel,
children and
the area. He is currently a partner in the
marked by plaques or other visible signs.
and their six children. "Grandma and
grandchildren, who all have a sense of
firm of Schafer Development, based in
One of the guests told a story about a fam-
Grandpa wanted all their babies here."
communal obligation."
Farmington Hills.
ily who received a utility shut-off notice
All festivities took place at the Shul-
The Shenkmans have generously
"I've known Jack for 10 years and he
during a difficult economic time. When
Chabad Lubavitch in West Bloomfield,
given their time and money to an
has been a fabulous mentor',' said Steve
Jack heard about the situation, he paid the
beginning with a family Shabbat dinner
extensive list of local organizations that
Schafer, Shenkman's friend and business
bill the same day — anonymously.
on Friday night and culminating with
include the Hospice and Chaplaincy
partner. "He's also become our family's
"My grandparents believed that it's
a Monday morning service followed
Network, JARC and Tamarack Camps,
spiritual mentor. He is the best partner
important to be there for one's family,
by a brunch attended by close to 100
among others. They have made gen-
you could imagine; and Miriam is the
but also for the community, said Dovi
friends and relatives. The highlight of
erous contributions to yeshivot and
sweetest lady on the face of the Earth."
Shenkman of Teaneck, Martin's son.
the weekend was a dinner party on
universities in the Detroit area and
A highlight of the weekend was Jack's
"They've set everything up, and now it's
Sunday evening where guests from the
in Israel. As strong supporters of the
guided tour down memory lane at the
up to us to carry on." ❑

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56

September 30 - 2010

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