B
everly Bein, a native of
Corpus Christi, Texas, and
a University of Texas grad,
was living in Houston at the end
of 1970 and working for the state
in foster care and adoption. Her
best friend, who was about to get
married, asked if Beverly would go
out with her fiancé’s cousin, a law
student at Wayne State University.
She agreed.
She and the cousin, Arthur Liss,
knew from the get-go that they
were meant to be together. Three
dates (including the wedding), then
a winter trip to Detroit — snow
and ice were new to her — and they
were engaged.
The Lisses, who now live in
Bloomfield Hills, had the first of
their three children right away, so
Beverly never sought paid work in
Michigan. But she quickly became,
in her words, a “professional
volunteer.” There’s almost no corner
of the organized Jewish community
where she hasn’t been involved.
Beverly Liss’ dedication will be
recognized Oct. 1 when she receives
the Fred M. Butzel Memorial
Award for Outstanding Community
Service, the Detroit Jewish
community’s highest honor, at the
Jewish Federation/United Jewish
Foundation annual meeting at the
Berman Center for the Performing
Arts in West Bloomfield.
The public is invited. There is
no charge, but reservations are
required and may be made on the
Jewish Federation’s website.
“Beverly is a most deserving
awardee,” said Jewish Federation
President Gary Torgow. “She has
given a lifetime of dedicated service
to our community and, for that, we
are all grateful!”
The man for whom the Butzel
award was named was born in 1877
and became one of the early leaders
of the organized Jewish community.
Jewish community historian Mike
Smith described Fred Butzel as a
“tireless promoter of social welfare
and civic good.” He died in 1948,
and the award in his name was first
presented three years later.
continued on page 10
OUR COMMUNITY
COVER STORY
‘Professional
Volunteer”
Beverly Liss named Jewish
Detroit’s Butzel Award winner
BARBARA LEWIS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
PHOTOS BY JOHN HARDWICK
8 | SEPTEMBER 19 • 2024