Millie and metro Aaron Berg that helps workers in Israel. They have also generously donated a great deal of their time and money to supporting Jewish federations, both here and in Florida. Aaron says he has been chari- tably assisting the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit longer than any other living individual. It's not just Jewish organizations that the Bergs have gladly supported. "One time I went to a doctor after being in an awful car accident, and I couldn't understand why he wasn't going to charge me:' said Millie. "The doc- tor recognized our last name and knew that Aaron had been donating money to his mother's church for many years. For that reason he did not charge me. Aaron could never turn anyone away. Many times priests would stop by the furniture store and ask for donations, and Aaron would happily contribute to their cause." Time For Fun 72 Years Together A marriage based on love and respect. Sue Pearl I Special to the Jewish News CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 When Aaron was 23, his mother encouraged him to leave his homeland of Lithuania, travel to America and come live with his older sister in Detroit. His father (a rabbi), his mother and four other siblings decided to stay in Lithuania and were all tragically killed by Hitler. Prior to arriving in America, Aaron had already earned his degree in account- ing. Once he was settled in Detroit, he got involved in the furniture business. He eventually became the manager of a furniture store and then, not long after, opened up his own store called Senate Furniture. Millie was born and raised in Detroit with three other siblings. She attended Central High School. After graduating, she went to work for her family's mille- nary business. Beginning Of A Long Romance When they first met, Millie was 17 and Aaron was 27. "Aaron and I met at Michigan and Junction in the midst of a widening project on Michigan Avenue," said Millie. "In those days, the beginning of a big construction project was treated 10 October 4 • 2012 as a huge social event. It was one big party atmosphere filled with music and people watching. Aaron happened to be there with a friend who was dating my sister. Aaron looked over and saw me and the next day he sent me flowers." Their first date was at Eastwood Gardens on East Jefferson, Millie remem- bers. "There were a lot of big band musi- cians playing, including Benny Goodman. Aaron and I had a ball, dancing up a storm. Three months later we were engaged, and a year later we were mar- ried." The Bergs rented an upper flat in Detroit but were forced to move abruptly after becoming victims of anti-Semitism. They found a note on their windshield that read, "You aren't welcome here." The Bergs left, moving to a third floor walk- up. After a year or so, they purchased their first house on Ohio Street, still remaining in Detroit. The Bergs moved to Huntington Woods in 1950 where they raised their four chil- dren: a daughter and three sons. "Our house was where all the kids hung out," said Millie. "We had all the school parties, the barbeques, and the Boy Scout and Girl Scout functions. All our kids' friends loved coming to our home. In fact, till this day, they still call us to see how we are doing." Giving Back As much as the Bergs have always enjoyed having fun, they are very serious when it comes to charity work and volun- teering. "I worked very hard in the furniture business, but I was also lucky," said Aaron. "I always believed in giving back. People should be kind, not selfish." Early in their marriage, Aaron took every Friday off work and sold American Savings Bonds and stamps. "The Army wouldn't take me because I had an ulcer," he said, "so this became a way for me to do something for my coun- try. For many years Millie also volun- teered, working for Red Cross and March of Dimes, walking door to door, soliciting donations." Their support also went toward Israel. "Years ago, we also gave money to Israel's underground:' Aaron said. "They came to us once at 2 a.m. asking for money. I just couldn't say no." The Bergs have been charter members at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., and have supported Histadrut, an organization The Bergs have always been a very socia- ble couple. They had a group of friends who affectionately called themselves "The 1940 Group" because they were all married that same year. There were 20 couples in the group, and once a year — every year since 1989 — they would all get together and have one huge party celebrating all the couple's anniversaries. "Sadly, there are only three couples left now," said Millie. The Bergs continue to lead a busy life. After his son's urging, Aaron finally gave up driving at the age of 99, handing the job over to his wife. The Bergs live in their own home in Bloomfield Hills, and for six months out of the year they live in Florida. They eat breakfast out almost every morning and also go out to dinner several nights a week, usually at the Knollwood Country Club in West Bloomfield where they are longtime members. Millie plays bridge a couple days a week. Aaron still plays gin. Aaron also loved playing golf and has only just recently given up the game. At 86, he was the oldest man ever to get a hole-in-one at Knollwood. "Our good fortune in getting old is that we have lived to see a lot of nachas from our children, our 11 grandchildren and now our four great-grandchildren," said Millie, who speaks with many of her chil- dren on a daily basis including several of them living out of state. "We are so very proud of our family. We are truly blessed. Every single morning we thank God that we are still alive." Aaron sums up his life with a Hebrew saying that he firmly believes in: "Fortunate is the person who is happy with his lot." And as simple as it sounds, it sure seems to be working for Aaron and Millie Berg.