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

