Looking Back

From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History

accessible at www.djnfoundation.org

Detroit Took Center Stage in 1980

Iusually find my topics for “Looking Michigan State University’s Hillel. Back” columns during my cruises in Representing the CJF Women’s the William Davidson Digital Archive Division were Detroiters Carolyn of Jewish Detroit History. Whenever I Greenberg, the national vice-chairwomenter the Archive to do research for one en, and Executive Committee members subject, I usually find interesting stories Dulcie Rosenfeld and Shelby Tauber. or reports on another subject about On Thursday, Michigan Gov. William Jewish Detroit. Milliken welcomed the delegates, and the

The idea for this week’s Looking state’s junior senator, Carl Levin, was on Back, however, is from my a panel (sure is hard to imagine him as a friend, Allan Gale. Did I junior senator!). To be sure, these are just know, he asked, that 40 a very few of the many Jewish Detroiters years ago, Detroit was the who contributed to the organization of host for the Council of and programming for the GA. Jewish Federation’s (CJF) The GA addressed a wide range of

Mike Smith 49th annual General topics such as the plight of Soviet Jews,

Alene and Graham Landau Assembly (GA)? Well, peace in the Middle East, Jewish educa-

Archivist Chair I did not know that. So, tion, young Jewish leadership and health I dove into the Archive care. The full program is on page 10 of and soon learned all about the GA from the Nov. 7, 1980, issue of the JN. reports in the November 1980 issues of The recent U.S. presidential election the JN. was another topic. Ronald Reagan had

Although the CJF had met before in just been elected to the presidency. Detroit in 1940, 1946 and 1960, the larg- Reagan was nominated at the Republican est was the GA in 1980. It was held Nov. convention also held in Downtown 12-16 at Detroit’s Plaza Hotel, the hotel Detroit in August, another major nationin the Renaissance Center at that time. al event for the city in 1980. More than 2,500 delegates and guests, lay The highlight was the plenary speakleadership and professionals from 800 er, Menachem Begin, prime minister communities representing all 50 states of Israel. Begin was introduced by Max and Canada were in attendance. Detroit Fisher and spoke about the importance Jewish leader Dulcie Rosenfeld was the of the Jewish diaspora and current affairs chairwoman of the Host Committee, in Israel.

The GA opened with Rabbi Richard A lot has changed since the GA was C. Hertz from Temple Beth El delivering held in Detroit in 1980. The Jewish the dvar Torah. Detroit Mayor Coleman Federation moved to Bloomfield Young extended greetings to the audi- Township in 1991. Detroit has endured ence. Detroit Jewish Welfare Federation a bankruptcy. Instead of Max Fisher and (now the Jewish Federation of Metro Al Taubman, Dan Gilbert is among those Detroit) President George M. Zeltzer and now shaping modern Detroit. CJF President Morton L. Mandel led the Many of same issues discussed 40 event. years ago, however, are still important

Many leaders from Michigan and for the Jewish community today. This is Detroit’s Jewish community participated interesting reading. in the GA. There were presentations from Rabbi Irwin Groner of Shaarey Zedek, Rabbi Efry Spectre of Adat Shalom and Rabbi Daniel Allan of

Want to learn more? Go to the DJN Foundation archives, available for free at www.djnfoundation.org.