Southfield, MI — October 25, 2023
A

lright, I’m going to explain why the Yeshiva 
is so important to me and why it has a cer-
tain touch in my heart. I was born in a dis-
placed persons camp right after the war in 1947. My 
parents were survivors, and we came to Detroit and 
my first school was the Yeshiva. I’ve been involved 
with the Yeshiva for over 70 years, starting as a child. 
So that was my first, first school, and it stayed with 
me.
”
These words of Mickey Shapiro echoed in our 
ears at the Yeshiva Beth Yehudah on Oct. 25, 2023, 
as Mickey and his family, in a poignant ceremony 
filled with pride and reflection, unveiled the Mickey 
Shapiro Educational Complex, honoring a legacy that 
spans over seven decades of dedication, education, 
and philanthropy. 
The Mickey Shapiro Educational Complex, located 
on the Yeshiva’s Southfield campus, carries the name 
and is a daily tribute to the Yeshiva’s good friend 

— Mr. Mickey Shapiro, a Holocaust survivor, alumni, 
philanthropist and long-time supporter of the insti-
tution.
Mickey, born Yeruchmiel Shapiro in 1947 at a 
Displaced Persons camp near Stuttgart, Germany, 
emigrated with his parents to Detroit in 1951, where 
they sought to rebuild their lives. Enrolled in Yeshiva 
Beth Yehudah at the age of four, his journey as a 
devoted alumnus began. Over the years, Mickey 
became not only a student, but also a steadfast sup-
porter of the Yeshiva, attributing much of his success 
and values to the influence of his father, Isaac Asa 
Shapiro, who survived the horrors of Nazi concen-
tration camps and instilled in him the importance of 
giving back.
Speaking at the event, Gary Torgow, President of 
Yeshiva Beth Yehudah, lauded Mickey’s life as an 
extraordinary testament to resilience and generosity. 
“Mickey’s connection to the Yeshiva started in the 
classrooms, but it has extended far beyond,
” Torgow 

said. “Tonight, we celebrate a gift that will forever 
link Mickey Shapiro’s name with our mission of edu-
cating future generations.
”
The new Mickey Shapiro Educational Complex 
spans 17 acres, with a 99,000-square-foot, three-story 
boys’ school, the former Schoenhals public school 
building, multiple playgrounds, two ballfields, and a 
faculty housing complex.
Mickey spoke movingly about his parents, Isaac 
and Sarah Shapiro, both Holocaust survivors. “My 
parents taught me that we must never forget the past, 
but it is equally important to guarantee our future,
” 
Mickey said. “The Yeshiva is doing just that by giving 
children the tools they need to thrive in a world that 
so desperately needs them.
”
“This complex will be more than a school,
” said 
Torgow. “It is a space where every child, regardless of 
ability or background, will be nurtured and given the 
chance to succeed.
”
After the unveiling ceremony concluded, as a 
surprise gift, Yeshiva president Mr. Gary Torgow 
presented Mickey with a restored Holocaust-era Sefer 
Torah, originally written in Poland, symbolizing the 
continuity of Jewish faith and education. 
Hundreds of students were joined by the Yeshiva 
kollel, all of the rabbis and faculty as they joyfully 
marched this newly dedicated Torah scroll to its new 
home at the Yeshiva, dancing and singing through 
the halls. The Torah will be housed in the Beis 
Medrash on the complex’s third floor in the ark dedi-
cated to Asa & Sarah Shapiro of blessed memory. 

COURTESY OF YESHIVA BETH YEHUDAH

Yeshiva Beth Yehudah 
 Historic Dedication
 of the Mickey Shapiro 
 Educational Complex

YESHIVA BETH YEHUDAH

10 | NOVEMBER 3 • 2024 Yeshiva Beth Yehudah Special Edition J
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