jews in the d

Never Too Late

Frances Holtzman celebrates
100 years with Jewish tradition.

JUDY GREENWALD CONTRIBUTING WRITER

T

again the next semester and got an A.”
he saying “It’s never too late” is one not lost on
After graduation, Holtzman got a job with Ford
Frances Holtzman. The Farmington Hills res-
Automotive. She then worked as a medical technician.
ident, who’ll celebrate her 100th birthday Dec.
She loved her work, but, in 1943, she met and married
27, is taking this phrase along with her love of Judaism
Frank Holtzman and quit to raise
to heart by becoming a bat mitzvah at
her three children: Colman, her sis-
Adat Shalom on Dec. 29.
ter Marsha Adelson and her brother
Born Frances Clinton in Ann Arbor
Bruce Holtzman. Her family now
to Jack Clinton and Fanny Goldman,
includes six grandchildren and 14
she grew up in a Reform household
great-grandchildren.
with one younger brother. According
Colman noted family and the
to her daughter Jan Colman, she had
importance of educating the genera-
a wonderful childhood and strove to
tions are among her mother’s stron-
make her parents proud.
One way Holtzman accomplished
Frances Holtzman with gest interests. Her mother helped all
daughter Jan Colman her grandchildren through college and
this was by valuing education,
has even assisted her great-grandchil-
something she passed along to her
family. Colman said when it was time for her mother dren with Jewish school tuition.
But that’s only one of her mother’s passions, said
to go to college, she wanted to go to the University
Colman, who adds her mom is a U-M football fan (still
of Michigan. Because of the Depression, her parents
bleeds blue and maize, Colman jokes) and doesn’t miss
could only afford to send her to Wayne State, which
a game. She’s been an avid dancer all her life, and plays
she readily accepted.
the piano and ukulele, and accompanied her family on
“My mom majored in chemistry and math,”
an organ while they all sang. “None of us could carry a
Colman said, “and she loved chemistry! Once she
tune,” Colman remembered, “but we had great fun!
took a class and got a D. She felt it was because she
“She also loves monkeys,” Colman said with a smile.
didn’t have a good instructor. She took the class

“She has everything from monkey paintings and Lladro
monkeys to stuffed monkeys!”
One of Holtzman’s greatest joys was being on the
water, and boating provided many happy summer
moments.
Her love and support for Israel, Jewish organiza-
tions and Judaism is something she’s passed on to
her family as well.
“My mom grew up in a Reform family and was
confirmed at Temple Beth El,” Colman said. “My
dad came from a more observant family, and they
became founding members of Adat Shalom. She and
I still belong there.
“My mom instilled a Jewish identity in all her chil-
dren by celebrating all the holidays, lighting candles and
inviting everyone to Shabbat and holiday dinners.
“One day, she was talking to my son and expressed
the desire to become a bat mitzvah. She said she always
wanted to do it, to feel complete as a Jew. My son called
his friend Dan, Rabbi Rachel Shere’s husband, and the
rabbi has been wonderfully helpful. We’ll celebrate her
upcoming bat mitzvah at a Havdalah service. She’s been
practicing so diligently and is excited to be called for
her aliyah in front of family and friends.”
And what does her family find most inspiring about
her century of life?
“She’s always very encouraging to us,” Colman con-
cluded proudly. “But the best thing is no matter what,
she always has a positive attitude. If things aren’t going
well, she’s always there, pointing out what’s going right.
My mom doesn’t hesitate to offer encouragement. That’s
so important, to us and to her!” ■

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December 27 • 2018

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