MARCH 25 • 2021 | 51

Created in Memory 
of Laela Miller Saulson
E

li Saulson never met 
his biological mother, 
Laela Miller Saulson, 
who passed away shortly after 
his birth at the age of 28. She 
possessed a caring nature and 
compassion for children facing 
challenges — and had an affinity 
for art. To honor her memo-
ry, Saulson has funded a Soul 
Scholarship, enabling an artist to 
develop their creative talents in 
perpetuity at Friendship Circle’s 
Soul Studio program. 
Laela was born in Michigan’s 
Upper Peninsula in 1939 and 
grew up in a proud Jewish 
home in Crystal Falls. Voted 
most likely to succeed in high 
school, she achieved Statewide 
recognition in debate while also 
playing saxophone in the band 
and writing for the school news-
paper. Furthermore, she was a 
prolific artist and loved outdoor 
adventures.

After graduating from the 
University of Michigan, she 
became a teacher in the Royal 
Oak School System, specializing 
in helping children with learning 
disabilities. The people in her 
life spoke highly of her fun-lov-
ing personality, humanity and 
capacity for friendship. For all of 
these reasons, Saulson found no 
better way to honor her memo-
ry than to make a contribution 
to Friendship Circle’s Forever 
Friendship legacy campaign.
Giving to Friendship Circle’s 
legacy campaign allows donors 
to invest in the nonprofit’s 
mission by providing “forever 
friendship” for future genera-
tions. The Soul Scholarship will 
help support an artist in the 
Soul Studio program, a support-
ed art studio program with an 
open studio space and gallery 
for adults, 18 years or older with 
special needs. The program 

provides participants the oppor-
tunity to reveal their hidden 
talents to the community and 
be recognized as included, con-
tributing members of society.
Dresner Foundation Soul 
Studio Artists enjoy the open 
studio space at Friendship Circle 
Farber Center and a wide vari-
ety of materials to work with.
Saulson has long been 
involved with the Detroit Jewish 
Community and has been priv-
ileged to sit on the board of the 
William Davidson Foundation, 
who funded the scholarship 
through his discretionary fund. 
The impact of the Chabad 
Lubavitch movement and the 
message of the Lubavitcher 
Rebbe resonated with Saulson, 
motivating him to become more 
involved with Friendship Circle’s 
Soul Studio.
“I found it interesting that the 
Rebbe would speak of people 
with developmental disabilities 
as exceptional,” says Saulson. 
“And the art at Soul Studio is 
truly exceptional.” 
Saulson is inspired by the way 
Friendship Circle has changed 
both the local community and 
the world’s view of kids, teens 
and adults with special needs. 
“When I was growing up in 
the 1970’s, special needs kids 
were separated from the rest of 
us and not always treated kindly 
by their peers. Now through 
Friendship Circle, there is a 

waiting list for kids who want to 
be friends with them.” 
The legacy of his mother’s 
generosity and great capacity 
for friendship moved Saulson to 
give the gift of eternal friendship 
to an individual with special 
needs in her honor. Now, he 
hopes others will follow his 
example.
“I’m hopeful that in giving this 
[scholarship] and in telling this 
story that I can inspire others to 
do the same thing.”
To contribute to the Leala 
Miller Saulson Fund or to start 
a fund in memory or honor of a 
loved one, please contact:

Rabbi Levi Shemtov
levi@friendshipcircle.org
248-702-1020

Your gift to Friendship Circle’s 
Forever Friendship Legacy 
Campaign is an investment 
in the future. One that makes 
an incredible difference in the 
lives of individuals with special 
needs, their families, and those 
struggling with isolation. Your 
gift will ensure Friendship Circle 
is able to serve the community 
today and in the future.

FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE

6892 West Maple Road

West Bloomfield, MI 48322

248-788-7878

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Soul 
Scholarship 

Dresner Foundation Soul Studio Artist paints in the open studio space at Friendship 
Circle Farber Center.

Laela Miller 
Saulson, of 
blessed memory.

