18 | DECEMBER 22 • 2022
OUR COMMUNITY
W
hen it comes to
his alma mater, his
beloved University
of Michigan, Jack Caminker,
100, wears his heart on his
sleeve. The Class of 1946
graduate also wears it on his
University of
Michigan cap
and his favorite
University of
Michigan jack-
et. And to no
one’s surprise,
that love for
the Wolverines
showed up in
the form of a giant Block
M made of frosting on
his birthday cake. It was
served, with maize and
blue napkins, of course,
when Jack’s family gath-
ered for a dinner party
the evening of Dec. 3 at
the Andiamo restaurant in
Bloomfield Township to honor
his centennial year.
Actually, the true “icing on
the cake” was the amazing
reunion of family members
who traveled from four states
to honor the treasured patri-
arch of their family. Among
them were Jack and late wife
Eve’s three children and their
spouses: daughters Nori
(Dr. David) Levine, Bette
Caminker (Joe Craig); son
Rabbi Harold Caminker; and
son-in-law Larry Brown, hus-
band of Jack’s late daughter
Marcia.
Jack, or as he is affectionally
referred to as “Grandpa Jack,”
was further overwhelmed
by the presence of six of his
eight grandchildren and 15
great-grandchildren — with
another on the way!
“The party was amazing,”
said Jack. “I normally see my
children and grandchildren by
tech and pictures, but to actu-
ally get the chance to see them
in person and hug and kiss
them, was just wonderful.”
Jack officially turned 100
on Sunday, Dec. 4, the day
after his dinner party. But he
received, as he called it, “a nice
birthday gift” a day earlier
at his birthday bash, when
that same evening Michigan
defeated Purdue in the Big 10
Football Championship game.
You technically could thank
the football gods. As it turns
out, Jack, a member of Temple
Israel since 1946 and a former
president of the congregation
(1969-1970), regularly attends
Friday night services. He told
me he actually said a prayer
on behalf of the Wolverines at
one service, looking for any
edge that could help secure a
victory. The power of prayer
goes a long way, that and a
balanced offense and defense.
Temple Israel was well rep-
resented by clergy at Jack’s
party. Rabbis Harold Loss,
Jennifer Kaluzny and Marla
Hornsten were all in atten-
dance. “Temple Israel is truly
a second home for Jack, an
extended family,” Loss says.
“Even on the coldest nights,
when others might choose not
to brave the elements, Jack
can always be counted on to
be front and center at our ser-
vices.”
Kaluzny adds, “At 100-years
old, Jack is a living history of
Temple Israel. He’s extremely
proud of the clergy and all that
the temple stands for. I know
so because Jack never fails to
go out of his way to tell us!”
INDESCRIBABLE
GRATITUDE
Jack’s daughter Nori shared a
recording with me of eloquent
words her father delivered
at his birthday celebration,
speaking for nine minutes
without a single note in front
of him.
Jack Caminker celebrates his centennial.
A ‘Maize and Blue’ Birthday
Alan
Muskovitz
Contributing
Writer
ABOVE: 100-year old Jack Caminker waves to the sellout crowd of 110,225 at the Big
House in Ann Arbor after being announced as the University of Michigan’s “Hero of the
Game” during the Michigan-Maryland football game on Sept. 24. (L-R) Jack’s daughters
Nori Levine, Bette Caminker, son-in-law Larry Brown, grandson Benjamin Levine, son-in-
law David Levine, and Jack Caminker. (Back row) Members U-M Navy ROTC Program.
MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY