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 Rabbi Hertz Eulogies
From 1953 to 1988, Rabbi Richard Hertz officiated at more than 1600 funeral services. It was the rabbi’s custom to write an outline of his remarks on an envelope that he slipped into his jacket pocket On the envelope, Rabbi Hertz wrote the name of the deceased and his/her family, their date of death, place of interment, and his personal insights into their life and character. Often the inside of the envelope contained additional information such as a cemetery record and a newspaper obituary. On a few occasions, the rabbi also saved typed copies and audio cassettes of his eulogies. These “eulogy envelopes,” outlines and cassettes are important historical and genealogical resources that can be located in the searchable pdf file that can be found by clicking on the link below. Once you have identified the name of the deceased, please visit, email or call the archive for further information. The archives can be reached at 248-865-0628 or
franklinarchives@tbeonline.org. This list was prepared by archives’ intern Robbie Terman and volunteer Suzie MacWilliams. Searchable Rabbi Hertz Eulogy Files
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Temple Beth El, Michigan's first Jewish Congregation, was founded in 1850 when twelve German immigrant families drew together in the home of Isaac and Sarah Cozens to form the Beth El Society.
Temple Beth El is home to one of the most comprehensive congregational archives in the nation and the largest such collection in Michigan. The archives is named in memory of Dr. Leo M. Franklin, Temple Beth El's beloved rabbi from 1899-1941 and one of the leading voices of the Reform Movement nationwide. The Archives was founded in 1981 using materials collected by Leo M. Franklin and Irving Katz, noted Jewish Historian and Temple Executive Secretary from 1939 until his death in 1979. It was maintained by congregants Miriam and Aid Kushner until 1997 when the first full-time professional Archivist was hired. The Archives continues to be strengthened by donations of materials and monetary contributions from individuals and foundations.
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 VETERANS
THE FRANKLIN
ARCHIVES
WANTS YOUR:
PHOTOGRAPHS, LETTERS, DIARIES UNIFORMS, MEDALS, OR ANY OTHER MILITARY MEMORABILIA
To preserve your cherished memories contact:
Jan Durecki, Archivist
Rabbi Leo M. Franklin Archives
Temple Beth El, 248-851-1100, ext. 3137
Where were you during World War II?
By Jan Durecki, Archivist
I am collecting stories and photographs relating to the manner in which Jewish Detroiters coped with the effects of the Second World War. These reminiscences will be incorporated into World War II, the USO and Jewish Detroit’s Response to the War Effort, the second presentation of the Jewish History Detectives’ Lecture Series September 10. These stories of home-front sacrifices and activities are being gathered from Temple members as well as from the local Jewish community.
I am interested in highlighting the everyday experiences that individually, and in their totality, contributed to the Allies’ victory. Were you a young wife and mother during the war? If so, how did your family deal with rationing? Did you belong to a Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop during the war years? Did you and your fellow scouts visit VA hospitals or correspond with GIs? Were you a Civil Defense warden or a Rosie the Riveter defense worker? Did you frequent the USO or other recreation centers that catered to visiting service personnel? These are but a few examples of the many efforts that drew the Jewish community together during the War and merit sharing with the TBE community.
The Rabbi Leo M. Franklin Archives is committed to collecting Jewish Detroit’s social history. Your personal stories of war-related activities will further our collective knowledge of the Jewish patriotism and solidarity with the War effort. Contact Archivist Jan Durecki at 248-851-1100, ext. 3137.
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Preserving History and Providing Resources
Archives Visitors
Deborah Goldstein, an independent historic preservation consultant, visited the Archive in March. She is working with Detroit’s Little Rock Baptist Church to prepare the paperwork for that institution to receive a historic designation from the Detroit City Council. Deborah is a former employee of the city’s Historic Designation Advisory Board. She found documents and architectural photographs pertaining to construction of Temple Beth El’s Woodward and Gladstone location, now owned by Little Rock Baptist Church. I also shared with her the research notes I had compiled while preparing for my 2011 lecture titled Albert Kahn’s Craftsmen. In total, the documentation should assist the Church in achieving a historic designation which then makes it eligible for grant assistance to finance its refurbishment. Visiting in tandem with Ms. Goldstein was Emmanuel Toe who is the current Business Manager for the historic Little Rock Baptist Church. He was more than pleased to have access to interior photographs of the building which should prove invaluable during the preservation and renovation process. Emmanuel told me that once the roof is repaired, they will concentrate on changing the sanctuary into a performing arts space which can be rented for concerts, weddings and other events. He also shared with me plans to have the sanctuary’s famous Myron Barlow murals restored to their former glory.
Jewish War Veterans of Michigan Archives
On behalf of the family of the late Charles Serge Sherman, Shirley Marshall, a member of the JWVM Ladies Auxiliary, has donated a World War II enlisted man’s naval uniform. A set of dress blues, meant for ceremonies, special occasions and liberty were included along with un-dress blues which are the same uniform as the former without stripes on the sail (back flap). Un-dress blues were worn for above deck duties and less formal affairs. A blue wool "Donald Duck" hat, worn with dress blues, was a part of the donation. According to copies of Charles’ Honorable Discharge and Separation from U.S. Naval Service, his papers indicate he was a Shipfitter Third Class and served in the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign. The Rabbi Leo M. Franklin Archives is proud to be the custodial repository for local veterans of all religious denominations and I encourage servicemen and their families to consider placing their service-related documents, photographs and memorabilia here for safekeeping.
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A Service of the
Rabbi Leo M. Franklin Archives
 Have you ever wondered what to do with your boxes and bags of family documents, photographs and home movies, and other memorabilia? What should be saved and what can be disposed of? Have you ever given away a possession only to later learn of its historic value? The Rabbi Leo M. Franklin Archives is pleased to announce a new service to help you answer these important questions. Our new Archivist on Call Service will bring Temple Beth El’s trained professional archivist to your home to organize, preserve and catalogue your prized possessions. The archivist will work side-by-side with you to identify the items that have current and future historic value.
You may select from many options that begin with the basic cataloging of your family’s documents and photographs to the creation of DVDs that include scanned and captioned images, videotaped oral histories and digitized home movies. Each project is as unique as the family’s history that it captures. Our Archivist On Call Service provides you with a means to assemble your family’s history in an orderly and concise package that will let generations yet-to-be-born who you were and how you lived your life. By doing so, you give them firsthand information that will strengthen their connections to the family and to the past – the most valuable legacy that you could have ever bequeathed them.
As part of the Archivist On Call Service, the archivist will:
3 Discuss the scope of your project during a free,
one hour in-home consultation
3 Mail a check list of documents, photographs and
artifacts for you to collect and have available
during the consultation
3 Submit a detailed project report of the services to
be rendered, and an estimate of time and costs
3 If desired, arrange for video taped oral history sessions
3 If desired, co-ordinate the production of
DVD containing scanned images of your family’s
documents and photographs
To arrange your free, one hour in-home consultation contact:
Jan Durecki, Director, Rabbi Leo M. Franklin Archives, Temple Beth El
248-865-0628 or franklinarchives@tbeonline.org
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The Friends of the Rabbi Leo M. Franklin Archives is a group of committed contributors and supporters dedicated to maintaining and preserving the rich, historic collections of manuscripts, photographs, audiovisual materials, architectural drawings and rare books found within the Rabbi Leo M. Franklin Archives.
As a Friend of the Rabbi Leo M. Franklin Archives, your contribution will help promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the Archives, support its operation and growth and increase access to the Archives through unique and interesting programming.
Membership Levels:
$36 Friend $72 Family $150 Corporation/Foundation $250 Future Generation $______ Other
Please make checks payable to and mail to: The Rabbi Leo M. Franklin Archives, 7400 Telegraph Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
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