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Jack and Miriam Shenkman mark 75 years together.
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7782 Merriman Rd., Romulus, MI
Shenkmans
celebrate 75 years
of giving, sharing
and loving.
Ronelle Grier
F
or Jack and Miriam Shenkman,
their 75th wedding anniversary
was a celebration of life, love
and family; a reflection of their devo-
tion to each another and the people
they hold dear.
More than 70 people, including
close friends and family members
representing four generations, gath-
ered on Sept. 20 to share the joyous
occasion and honor the couple whose
family has grown to embrace five chil-
dren, 19 grandchildren and 25 great-
grandchildren.
The party was held in the Jack and
Miriam Shenkman building at The
Shul in West Bloomfield, one of many
examples of the couple's philanthropy
Exit 198 from 1-94
Exit 20 from 1-275
1.888.844.7275 • qwikpark.com
14 October 8 2015
I Contributing Writer
JN
and commitment to their community.
"It's an amazing thing to reach 75
years, and they're still concerned
about the community they live in and
the people around them," said daugh-
ter Gloria Cohen of West Bloomfield.
The other children — Marsha
Baker of Dallas; Elaine Beresh of West
Bloomfield, who organized the party
with input from her parents; Arnold
"Avi" Shenkman of Oak Park; and
Martin Shenkman of Tenafly, N.J. —
joined in praising their parents for
their lifelong example of mutual devo-
tion and bigheartedness.
"Charity was always a part of
their lives:' said Rabbi E.B. "Bunny"
Freedman, director of the Jewish
Hospice and Chaplaincy Network
(JHCN), who has known the
Shenkmans for 35 years. "They have
always been involved in a whole port-
folio of very diverse charities. This
was as important to Jack as his busi-
ness, if not more."
For decades, the Shenkmans have
generously contributed to a host of
causes throughout Metro Detroit
and in Israel; including the JHCN,
JARC, Tamarack Camps and the Sky
Foundation, a fundraising organiza-
tion for pancreatic cancer research.
"Their love and devotion through-
out the years was an inspiration and
an example to all of us, so was their
generous and giving nature," said
granddaughter Chayala Shenkman,
who recently moved back from Israel
to New York with her husband, Hillel,
and their children.
The Shenkmans have been staunch
supporters of the Lubavitch move-
ment and shared a special friendship
with the organization's leader, the late
Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
"In Michigan, a great number
of organizations survived because
Miriam and Jack gave financial help:'
said Fred Ferber, longtime friend,
local businessman and philanthropist,
who gave a toast to the couple. "They
gave nachas (joy) to the whole com-
munity:'
Granddaughter Malka Leah
"Malkie" Citrin of Atlanta presented
her grandmother with a family cook-
book she created called "Grandma
Miriam's Kitchen:' Citrin was moti-
vated by her regular Friday phone
conversations with her grandmother,
where the two share ideas and recipes
for Shabbos dinner.
"My grandmother is the consum-
mate hostess," Citrin said. "She's
inspired me to be the best wife, moth-
er and hostess that I can:'
Miriam Shenkman, elegant in a
beaded gold dress adorned with tiny
seed pearls, was overcome with senti-
ment when presented with the cook-
book.
"I guess this is what it's all about,"
she said.
In addition to their milestone anni-
versary, which was Sept. 15, Jack cel-
ebrated his 95th birthday in May, and
Miriam turns 95 this month. After so
many years of marriage and life expe-
riences, Miriam's secret for success is
fairly simple.
"A lot of love, a lot of respect and
helping each other every time you
turn around;' she said. "Treat each
other like you want to be treated:' *