Looking Back

From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History

accessible at thejewishnews.com

70 | APRIL 4 • 2024 
J
N

R

ecently, Harvey Bronstein contacted 
the JN. He suggested that we might 
want to revisit and acknowledge a 
great Jewish Detroiter, one with a legacy that 
we should always remember to honor: David 
Hermelin. Bronstein is spot-on.
Simply stated, David Hermelin 
(1936-2000) was one of the giants 
of Jewish Detroit, a great leader, a 
true mensch. He did indeed leave 
a tremendous, indelible legacy.
So, what should I say about 
Hermelin? On one hand, I knew 
that finding research for this 
column in the William Davidson 
Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History would 
be an easy task. Stories and reports about him 
are in abundance in the Archive and appear on 
nearly 4,500 pages. Many of these pages include 
content about another great Jewish Detroit 
leader, by the way: Doreen Hermelin, David’s 
wife and partner since 1958. 
On the other hand, the task of writing this 
column is not that easy. Out of so many great 
articles about Hermelin’s accomplishments, 
which ones should I choose to write about? 
Should I mention Hermelin’s business inter-
ests? He held leadership positions or was CEO 
and/or board chair for numerous businesses.
Should I write about his vast contributions 
to Jewish and non-Jewish organizations, 
locally, nationally or globally? This includes 
Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Detroit, the 
Jewish Federation of Detroit and World ORT, as 
well as the University of Michigan and Karmanos 
Cancer Institute, to name just a very few. 
And this brief list above says nothing about 
the fantastic philanthropy of both David and 
Doreen Hermelin. They helped raise, along 
with their own substantial personal contri-
butions, millions of dollars for such causes 
as the Hermelin Brain Tumor Center at the 
Henry Ford Health system in Detroit; the 
ORT Hermelin College of Engineering in 
Netanya, Israel; the Hermelin Steps near the 

southern wall of Temple Mount 
in Jerusalem; and funding for 
Camp Hermelin at their home 
in Bingham Farms. 
Of course, it would be remiss 
of me if I did not mention 
that Hermelin was appointed 
Ambassador to Norway. His 
close associate, President Bill 
Clinton, appointed him in 1997. Sadly, he was 
forced to resign when he needed brain surgery 
in 1999. After a valiant battle with brain cancer, 
Hermelin passed away on Nov. 22, 2000.
I could just steer you to the Dec. 1, 2000, 
issue of the JN, which was devoted to the life of 
David Hermelin. It’s a great read about him that 
includes a wide range of comments and insights 
from those who knew him. They write 
about Hermelin’s vast range of interests, his 
many talents and, most importantly, his 
impact on the people he worked with in 
Detroit and globally.
In the issue, helmed by JN Editor 
Robert Sklar, writers noted that Hermelin 
always kept his sense of humor. Michael 
Steinhardt called Hermelin “a font of 
amusement and wisdom.
” Bill Carroll 
added: “Humor Helped Shape David.
” 
The JN’s staff contributed to the issue. 
Alan Hitsky noted that “The Magic in 
David Wasn’t Sleight of Hand.
” Likewise, 
Keri Guten Cohen wrote about Hermelin’s 
tremendous charisma and ability to enlist sup-
porters for good causes, and quoted Rabbi Irwin 
Groner: “David was a Pied Piper.
” David Sachs 
wrote about the “boundless positive spirit” that 
Hermelin carried into his battle with cancer. 
Harry Kirsbaum noted President Clinton said 
Hermelin “left the world a better place.
”
I’ll end with Max Fisher’s quote about 
Hermelin: “He was one of the most beloved 
men I have ever met … He was a great man.
” 

Want to learn more? Go to the DJN archives, 
available for free at thejewishnews.com.

includes a wide range of comments and insights 

tremendous charisma and ability to enlist sup-

Remembering a
 GIANT of a Man

Mike Smith
Alene and 
Graham Landau 
Archivist Chair

