A
number of local families host large seders
for family and friends, but the Hermelin
family seder is legendary for bringing
together up to 100 guests — mostly family — at
Doreen Hermelin’
s home in Bingham Farms.
Typically, she hosts seders on the first and second
nights in her 17,500-square-foot home, well-
known as the site of many communal, political
and philanthropic gatherings.
This year is special because it will be
Hermelin’
s last year in the house as she prepares
to move to nearby Franklin. After 44 years in
Bingham Farms, she says, “This is the longest I’
ve
lived anywhere. I’
m ready. It’
s a hard move. It’
s
going to be interesting.
”
A family member has purchased the home that
Doreen and her late husband, David, expanded
with five additions. David was an entrepreneur,
real estate developer, philanthropist and former
U.S. ambassador to Norway.
Because it’
s the last year in Bingham Farms,
she is hosting two nights of seders with about 300
people. To accommodate them in one space, a
floor is placed atop the indoor swimming pool.
The menu is traditional — gefilte fish, chicken
soup with matzah balls, brisket and turkey.
“With that many people, it’
s nothing fancy,
”
Hermelin says. As of last week, the brisket, soup
and matzah balls were already in the freezer. Her
mother-in-law taught her how to “can” gefilte
fish — making it to be placed in jars for longer
storage in the refrigerator.
“Normally, I make chocolate tortes, a few
sponge cakes and lemon rolls, and we get a
cookie cake from Quality Kosher Catering, but
I’
m not baking this year,
” Hermelin says. Because
of the large number of guests, some food will be
catered and there will be kitchen staff to help.
Brian Hermelin, Doreen’
s son, will lead the
seder as he has done every year since David’
s
death in 2000. David Hermelin created a special
family Haggadah with all the traditional prayers
and readings, as well as song lyrics he wrote
to accompany existing music. Over the years,
additional content was added, and the cover
has a bright, contemporary design. With such
large seders this year, Doreen says some guests
may need to share what are very special edition
Haggadahs. ■
passover
Seders for
Doreen Hermelin plans
two last mega-seders as
she prepares to move.
300
SHARI S. COHEN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
PHOTOS BY ROGER LEEMIS
TOP TO BOTTOM: Brian Hermelin, near the sculpture, has
led the seders since his father died in 2000; Guests at the
buffet table; Doreen Hermelin lights the candles for a seder
in 2014; the table is always set beautifully and with care.
32 April 18 • 2019
jn
Making gefilte fish for the large Hermelin seders is a challenge. This year, a short documentary that
tracks the process will be shown at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 5, during the Lenore Marwil Detroit Jewish Film
Festival at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield. Filmmaker Rachel Fleit and Hermelin family
members will speak with the audience after the film (detroitjewishfilmfestival.com).
Gefi
lte Film Captures Hermelin Tradition