Joseph Orley
Interviewed by Sharon Alterman
June 21, 2005
Max M. Fisher Federation Building, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Joseph Orley
Video 00:46:00
Joseph Orley
Audio 00:46:00
Abstract
In this interview, Joseph Orley speaks about his parents’ history; how they both immigrated and settled in Detroit and eventually met each other. He talks about his experiences in his childhood home, his schooling, and his neighborhood. He mentions that his mother kept a religious household. She took going to shul very seriously. He also reminisces about his summers during this time in his life, and briefly mentions his bar mitzvah at United Hebrew School.
From here, Orley touches on his college years, then his years in the Army during World War II. He then goes into how he was involved with soliciting for Federation. He mentions some leaders and mentors he had worked with during those years.
Orley talks about a trip to Vienna to help with immigration that was taken with Marty Kraar. He briefly mentions Project Renewal in Israel. Finally, Orley speaks about his children and grandchildren, his experiences on the Endowment Committee, and his thoughts on receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award.
History of Narrator
Joseph Orley was born in Detroit on December 22, 1920 to Celia (née Goldberg) and George Orley. During his school years, he attended Angell Elementary School, Durfee Intermediate School and Central High School. Orley attended the University of Detroit and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania before joining the U.S. Navy during WWII.
A passionate fundraiser, and supporter of Israel, Joseph Orley was a generous benefactor and supporter of numerous Jewish, civic, educational and healthcare organizations over the years, in Detroit as well as in Israel. He served on the board of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and was a chair of Federation’s Annual Campaign.
As lead donors, the Jewish Family Service building in West Bloomfield was dedicated as the Suzanne and Joseph Orley and Sally and Graham Orley Building. Orley was also active in Congregation Shaarey Zedek, Hillel Day School, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, William Beaumont Hospitals, and the Henry Ford Health System, Israel Bonds, Hebrew University, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, and ORT.
Joseph Orley passed away on May 25, 2016.
Transcript
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Credit as: Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives. Joseph Orley Oral History Interview, June 21, 2005.