Looking Back

From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History

accessible at www.djnfoundation.org

78 | MAY 26 • 2022 

S

o, you need a book in Hebrew, 
a menorah for Chanukah or a 
shofar? Perhaps you just need some 
advice about building your sukkah? Then, 
Borenstein’s Hebrew Books and Music Store 
is the place for you.
Over my years of working 
with the William Davidson 
Digital Archive of Jewish 
Detroit History, I have seen 
hundreds of ads and references 
to Borenstein’s. In the best 
sense of the word, Borenstein’s 
is a Detroit institution. In 
business for more than 75 
years, it is the “largest and oldest Hebrew 
supply house in the Detroit Metro Area.”
Borenstein’s began nearly eight decades 
of operation when Joseph Borenstein 
purchased Chesluk’s bookstore in 1946. 
Polish-born Talmudic scholar and 
businessman Solomon Chesluk immigrated 
to Detroit with his family in 1921. He saw 
a need for a good bookstore and, in 1929, 
opened Chesluk’s on 12th Street. 
Chesluk modestly cited himself as an “old 
Mocher Seforim (book dealer),” but he was a 
bit more than just a seller of books (Aug. 19, 
1941, Jewish Chronicle). Chesluk was also a 
recognized authority on the Talmud, Jewish 
literature and Judaica. 
The first advertisement in the JN with the 
store’s new name, Borenstein’s, appeared 
in June 1947. An ad two months later 
cited wares such as “presents, greeting 
cards, winecups, a big selection of religious 
articles,” and “electric shavers that can be 
used in Palestine.” It also added that the 
store was working “together with the well-
known Mr. Chesluk” (Aug. 19, 1947, JN). 
Borenstein’s thrived and followed Detroit’s 
Jewish community as it moved northwest. It 
moved into a new store on Dexter Avenue 
in 1953, and soon opened a second store on 
Seven Mile Road. Joseph worked the new 

Seven Mile branch and his wife, Rachel, 
handled the Dexter Avenue store. The Seven 
Mile store moved to a new location on the 
same road near Schaefer in 1957. 
By 1960, only the Borenstein’s on Seven 
Mile remained … but not for long. In 1967, 
the current Borenstein’s on Greenfield in 
Oak Park opened. The Seven Mile store 
closed in 1973.
Avrom, the eldest son of Joseph and 
Rachel, began working at the main store in 
1960. He managed the new location until 
around 1998. Avrom’s brother, Cheskel 
“Charles,” began working at the Oak Park 
store in 1975 and is the Borenstein in charge 
today.
As the store expanded, so did its list of 
goods and services. One could buy tickets 
for events at local theaters or the Music 
Hall, your weekly Detroit Jewish News, or 
in the March 11, 1949, JN, “unbreakable 
children’s records for Purim” (Hmm — 
“children” with “unbreakable?”). In the 
1950s, Borenstein’s reminded readers “don’t 
forget, we send scrip and certificates to 
Israel.” The store’s latest hot seller is the 
game of Monopoly featuring Jerusalem. Play 
well and you’ll have a chance to buy the 
Western Wall or the Mount of Olives with 
Monopoly dollars!
Borenstein’s is still a place of Jewish 
knowledge. In one JN article, for example, 
Cheskel provided advice about shofars 
(Sept. 6, 2009, JN). In another story, Avrom 
gave insight into selecting the perfect etrog, 
along with a good Jewish joke (Oct. 13, 
2000). 
Cheskel Borenstein now continues the 
tradition of knowledge and service to 
the community. He is a good guy, and I 
appreciated his kindness as I wrote this 
story. 

Want to learn more? Go to the DJN Foundation 
archives, available for free at www.djnfoundation.org.

1950s, Borenstein’s reminded readers “don’t 

game of Monopoly featuring Jerusalem. Play 

archives, available for free at www.djnfoundation.org.

Borenstein’s — A 
Detroit Institution

Mike Smith
Alene and 
Graham Landau 
Archivist Chair

From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History

