obituaries »

Community Visionary

S

ol Drachler is remembered as
the visionary and innovator
of countless programs that
strengthened the Jewish community
of Detroit.
He died at age 89
on Sept. 27, 2016, in
Seattle, Wash., where he
and his wife, Leah, had
moved several years ago
to join their sons and
family.
For more than 30
years, Sol held positions
of increasing importance
at the Jewish Welfare
Federation (today the
Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit),
starting as director of its
education division and
Sol Drachler
ultimately serving as
executive director until
his retirement.
But as the architect of many fund-
raising innovations — including the
Federation endowment program that
totals well over $400 million today —
he helped put Detroit on the map as
one of the most philanthropic com-
munities in America.
Born in New Jersey, he was
brought to Detroit at age 2 where
his father — an early delegate to the
World Zionist Congress — took a
teaching position but became dis-
abled not long after moving here.
To meet their financial needs, Sol’s
mother opened a laundry, where he
helped out.
Education was central to their
lives. The Drachler home in the
Dexter-Monterey area was devotedly
Labor Zionist and secular in practice.
Sol recalled in a recent oral history
interview that he spoke Yiddish
before he spoke English.
Accepted to Wayne University
before his 16th birthday, he studied
chemistry and excelled in math,
which was more than handy a decade
later when he took on fundraising
duties for the Federation.
After stateside service in the Navy,
he met a young woman at a Labor

Zionist Organization meeting whose
fluent Hebrew was a match for his
fluent Yiddish. Leah Michlin, the
daughter of a respected Hebrew
teacher, became his wife and the
mother of their two
sons, Paul and Dan.
They were married
66 years.
From his first job
in the Jewish com-
munity as co-director
of the Jewish Parents
Institute at the Jewish
Community Center,
he moved on to sec-
retary of Federation’s
education division in
1956.
Admired by volun-
teers and leadership
alike, Sol moved up
in the ranks, intro-
ducing a number of
programs, including the year-round
Women’s Department (known today
as Women’s Philanthropy) and the
Junior Division (today’s NEXTGen).
He directed the creation of Project
Renewal (today Partnership2Gether)
and, of great personal pride, the per-
manent endowment concept PACE
that has raised millions for the com-
munity.
Another point of pride: He was the
driver of fundraising during the Six-
Day War and the Yom Kippur War
— making Detroit one of the giants
in support for Israel that continues to
this day.
After his retirement in 1982, Sol
continued to serve the Jewish com-
munity as a consultant to Federation.
In addition, he was a consultant to
countless nonprofit organizations in
Metro Detroit and beyond — helping
more than 40 of them to reach their
philanthropic goals.
Interviewed not long ago for
the Detroit Federation’s Jewish
Community Archives’ oral history
project, Sol said, “More than just a
friendly Federation, we must have a
caring Federation. When we can do
something that is useful for the com-

munity, then we should do it.”
Michael Berke, former Federation
executive director and chief operat-
ing officer, paid tribute to his friend
as “a once-in-a-lifetime professional.
Sol embraced fundraising to guaran-
tee the well-being of our community.
Next to his family, it was his great
passion. He was an incredible strate-
gist. In his time, he had more facts
and figures in his head about the
community than the best computer.
“Sol’s leadership skills also were
unparalleled,” said Berke. “He culti-
vated and mentored countless com-
munity leaders and professionals,
enabling them to reach their highest
potential. Sol was beloved by many
generations of professionals and lay
people. He will be dearly missed.”
In recognition of his achievements,
the University of Michigan School
of Social Work, with the support of
the Metro Detroit Jewish commu-
nity, created an endowed chair in his
name. Karla Goldman is the current
Sol Drachler Professor of Social Work
with the responsibility of directing
the Jewish Communal Leadership
Program. Over 25 years, many of
the graduates of this program and
its predecessors (Project STaR and
the Sol Drachler Program in Jewish
Communal Service) have gone on to
hold important positions in Jewish
communal service locally and nation-
wide.
In 2001, Sol and Leah left Detroit
for Seattle, where they joined their
family: Paul Drachler and Lisa
Jacobs, and Dan Drachler and Nancy
Figatner, as well as their grand-
children, Sara, Joel, Benjamin and
Madeline. Burial took place there.
For those who wish to honor Sol
Drachler’s memory, his son Dan said
the best way is to make a contribu-
tion to a charity of one’s choice “since
my dad was all about supporting
worthwhile charities.” For notifica-
tion, the Drachler address is 1200
University St., #1302, Seattle, WA
98101.

*

SHIRLEYANN
DEUTCH
ALTMAN, a resi-
dent of Boynton
Beach, Fla.,
passed away Sept.
24, 2016, at the
age of 81.
Altman
Born in
c. 1993
Detroit, she
graduated from
Mumford High School.
While attending Michigan State
University, she met her husband,
Harvey Altman, who lived in
Lansing; and that is where they
raised their family.
She was a past president of the
sisterhood of Congregation Shaarey
Zedek in East Lansing and also a
life member and past president
of Hadassah. As a member of the
Saint Lawrence Hospital Women’s
Auxiliary, she chaired several of
their Pink Ball events. In 2001,
she moved to Florida, where she
enjoyed making new friends and
remained active in Hadassah.
Mrs. Altman is survived by
her children, Allan (Courtney)
Altman of Dalton, Ga., Libby
(Sam) Berngard of Cape Coral,
Fla., Michael (Kayrene) Altman
of Marietta, Ga., and Rita Altman
of Sarasota, Fla.; seven grandchil-
dren; beloved sister, Deena (David)
Fishman; sister-in-law, Phyllis
(Bruce) Billes; brother-in-law,
Burton (Marlene) Altman; many
loving nieces and nephews, great-
nieces and great-nephews.
Mrs. Altman was the daughter
of the late Paul and the late Nettie
Deutch; wife of the late Harvey
Altman; sister-in-law of the late
Jackie (Erwin) Gutowitz.
The funeral took place at Beth
Israel Memorial Chapel, followed
by interment at Eternal Light
Memorial Gardens in Florida.
Contributions may be made to
Hadassah of Valencia Isles, Boynton
Beach, FL 33437; Jewish Family
Services Detroit Tzedakah Fund; or
a charity of one’s choice.

— Charlotte Dubin
special to the Jewish News

continued on page 68

Obituaries October 13 • 2016

67