16 | OCTOBER 17 • 2024 J
N

F

or Marcie Hermelin Orley, being an exempla-
ry and celebrated Jewish leader and philan-
thropist is like being a “link in a chain.
” Her 
father, David Hermelin, of blessed memory, and 
mother, Doreen Hermelin, two pillars of Jewish 
Detroit, set a daily example that left an indelible 
impression on Marcie at an early age. 
“
As a teenager, I’
d walk downstairs and there 
would often be 100 people in our house, attending 
a meeting, an event or community gathering,
” she 
recalls. “Our home was a community space. It was a 
joyful part of my life. It was truly the air I breathed. 
Their example was impactful — it’s just so much a 
part of me.” 
An active volunteer in Metro Detroit’s Jewish 
community — making countless contributions 
and taking on numerous leadership roles through-
out the years — Orley won Federation’s Women’s 
Philanthropy’s 2025 Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award 
at its Lion of Judah event Oct. 15, 2024, at Franklin 
Hills Country Club. She will receive the award again 
at the International Lion of Judah Conference in 
Atlanta, Jan. 12-14, 2025. 
Winners are chosen by their peers as Women of 
Valor who exemplify the spirit of the Lion of Judah 
through a lifetime commitment to the highest ideals 
of community leadership and philanthropy, address-
ing community challenges, uplifting others and dis-
playing a commitment to tzedakah and tikkun olam. 
“I am so honored that Detroit has chosen to 
recognize me with the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland 
award,” she says. “
As a Lion of Judah, I’m a member 
of a community of committed, passionate, philan-
thropic and like-minded women. It is empowering 
for me to know that what I do is leveraged by the 
work of so many other women — individually what 
we do is significant, but the work of Lions of Judah 
collectively has been nothing short of transforma-
tional in the Jewish world.
” 

A ROLE MODEL FOR WOMEN 
The oldest of five children, at one point Marcie con-
sidered becoming a rabbi. She earned a bachelor’s 
degree in political science from New York University 
and then graduated magna cum laude from Cardozo 
School of Law. She served as a law clerk to U.S. 
District Court Judge Avern Cohn in Detroit. After 
marrying her husband, Rob Orley, and the birth 

of their children, Matthew, Alex, Jason and Olivia, 
Marcie began taking on leadership roles. 
She is a past president of Women’s Philanthropy 
and served as its campaign chair. Marcie was instru-
mental in the creation of the Mosaic Mission, a 
women’s mission to Israel. 
“I loved being president of Women’s Philanthropy. 
It’s one of the most rewarding roles I’ve ever had,
” 
she says. “Susie Pappas had the idea for the Mosaic 
Mission. It came to fruition on my watch, but it was 
her baby. It’s so rewarding to see many of the women 
who went on these trips now in leadership roles.
” 
Marcie was the 2017 and 2018 Detroit Federation 
Annual Campaign co-chair, a member of the 
executive committee and board of governors, and 
the Israel and Overseas Allocations Committee. 
Nationally, she served on the National Women’s 
Philanthropy Board (2011- 2019), including 2019 
chair of the International Lion of Judah Conference. 
She also served on National Young Leadership 
Cabinet and chaired JFNA
’s National Federation/
Agency Alliance from 2014-2017. 
Orley co-chaired the 2020 Federation visioning 
process with Peter Alter and currently serves as 
policy co-chair and a board member of the Jewish 
Democratic Council of America (JDCA). 
Her communal work was recognized in 1997 
with the Sylvia Simon Greenberg Young Leadership 
Award from Detroit Federation. But, most reward-

ing, she says, is setting an example for her daughter, 
daughters-in-law and others to follow. 
“I feel strongly that I’m a link in a chain, and 
commitment, leadership and responsibility is a gift 
that was given to me,
” she says. “My daughter and 
daughters-in-law see Jewish leadership as something 
to aspire to, and being a role model for them means 
everything to me. My mother certainly was for me. I 
come from a feeling of gratitude that I’m able to do 
this. I don’t take it for granted.
” 

NOW MORE THAN EVER 
During this volatile and challenging time when 
hostages are still being held in Gaza following the 
deadly Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel that left more 
than 1,200 men, women and children dead, Orley 
knows her work is more important than ever. She 
goes out of her way to keep her Jewish identity front 
and center — proudly wearing two Jewish stars. 
“This is not a time I ever thought we’
d be living 
through,
” she says. 
The recent birth of her 12th grandchild is a 
profound reminder of the need to ensure a strong 
Jewish future in Israel and America. Orley says she’s 
driven by her love for Detroit’s Jewish community 
and its ability to make a significant impact. 
“Our community is unique in so many ways — 
how close-knit, connected and affiliated we are,
” she 
says. “
And what a difference it’s possible to make 
here and in Israel. It has added so much meaning to 
my life to be doing this.
” 

This story first appeared on myjewishdetroit.org.

Marcie Hermelin Orley is recipient of the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland 
Award at Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy Lion of Judah event.
Philanthropic Powerhouse

ROBIN SCHWARTZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER

OUR COMMUNITY

JOHN HARDWICK

Marcie 
Hermelin 
Orley

Marcie Hermelin 
Orley speaking at 
a previous Lion of 
Judah Conference.

