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