20 | DECEMBER 22 • 2022
OUR COMMUNITY
Program and waved to the
adoring crowd.
A video about Jack’s life,
narrated by the booming voice
of the stadium’s public address
announcer, was shared for all
to see on the Big House giant
scoreboard. The afternoon
was capped off with a 34-27
victory by the Wolverines over
the Terrapins. But wait, there’s
more!
Prior to the game, Jack
was the guest of honor at
the “Veterans of the Game”
tailgate party supported by
the nonprofit Veterans of the
Game Inc., U-M-Dearborn
and college student veterans.
Donations go directly to pro-
grams and events that cele-
brate and support the veterans.
Refreshments were served,
there was a photo opportunity
with the Michigan Marching
Band’s drum major, and a
special custom-made base-
ball-style playing card was pre-
sented to Jack summarizing his
military achievements.
ANCHORS AWEIGH
Jack Caminker was born in
Detroit but was raised in
Chicago. He returned to the
city as a young adult, going on
to graduate from the U-M’s
Stephen M. Ross School of
Business with degrees in busi-
ness and engineering. But he
first completed a three-year
stint involving another shade
of “blue” — navy actually — as
in the U.S. Navy Air Corps.
“I remember the letter
I received in 1941 from
President Franklin Roosevelt,
FDR,” said Jack. He recalls
it said, “Greetings, we want
to see you downtown at the
enlistment center.” Jack even-
tually was stationed stateside
as a Deck Officer, Lt. Junior
Grade, from 1943 to 1946.
Jack has been a longtime
volunteer and loyal member
of the Jewish War Veterans
(JWV) Dept. of Michigan, Lt.
Raymond Zussman Post 135.
Post members Commander
Don Schenk and Larry Berry
were on hand at Jack’s party.
The JWV paid tribute to Jack
at their December department
meeting.
SHARED SUCCESS
The insatiable enthusiasm and
dedication Jack has exhibited
over his life has not just been
reserved for U-M. He has
brought that same relentless
dedication to every aspect of
his 100-year journey, both in
business and in support of the
Jewish community and for the
greater good of the commu-
nity.
Jack rose to be one of the
foremost real estate leaders in
Detroit. During his career as
a certified property manager
and real estate broker, he over-
saw some of Detroit’s iconic
landmarks, including the
Fisher Building and the GM
Building.
Students have been recip-
ients of Jack’s business and
management expertise, when
in the 1980s-1990s he became
an adjunct professor at — care
to take a guess? Of course, the
U-M’s School of Business.
As much as he’s received,
Jack has given back tenfold.
As Jack reflected in the Jan.
28, 1994, edition of the Jewish
News: “My mother used to say
that God gave us two hands
— one to take with and one to
give with.”
To that end, Jack was an
invaluable asset to the Detroit
chapter of SCORE since 1991,
a nonprofit volunteer resource
partner to the U.S. Small
Business Administration that
helps small businesses grow
through mentorship.
A former chair of the
Detroit chapter, Jack has given
free, confidential advice to
aspiring entrepreneurs.
David Broner, who was just
featured as the “Volunteer of
continued from page 19
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Jack Caminker surrounded by family and friends at his 100th birthday celebration at Andiamo restaurant in
Bloomfield Township on Dec. 3. Jack Caminker, U.S. Navy Air Corps, Deck Officer, Lt. Junior Grade, 1943 to 1946. JWV Dept. of Michigan
Commander Mark Weiss and Commander Don Schenk of Lt. Raymond Zussman Post 135 honor Jack Caminker on his 100th birthday at their
recent department meeting.