Susie Pappas
Interviewed by Michael Berke
February 6, 2018
Max M. Fisher Federation Building, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Susie Pappas
Video 01:01:25
Susie Pappas
Audio 01:01:25
Abstract
In this interview, Pappas discusses growing up in Highland Park, Il, the oldest of three siblings. She talks about her family life and religious upbringing, including her parents’ involvement in founding Temple Jeremiah in Winnetka, Illinois. After marrying her husband Norm and moving to Detroit, Pappas discusses a life-changing trip to Israel that impacted their philanthropy. She talks about becoming involved in Women’s Division (now known as Women’s Philanthropy), eventually becoming campaign chair and president.
At this point, Pappas discusses her mentors and relationships with professional staff. She mentions the Women’s Mosaic Mission and education and fundraising within Women’s Division. She also discusses the different approaches men and women have to fundraising.
This discussion includes Pappas’s work with other organizations, including Friends of the IDF and Hebrew Free Loan. She concludes the interview discussing her family and then the Jewish Women’s Foundation.
History of Narrator
Susie Pappas was born in Chicago, IL and was raised in Highland Park. She attended the University of Michigan. After marrying her husband, Norman, they moved to Detroit. As a young bride, Susie joined Hadassah and ORT.
After a life-changing mission to Israel, Pappas became active in the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit’s Women’s Division. In 2002, she became associate campaign chair, then campaign chair, and then served as president. In addition to her work with Women’s Division, Pappas has been on the board of Hebrew Free Loan, Jewish Community Center and Jewish Family Services and active in Friends of the IDF, Soul Center and Jewish Women’s Foundation. She and her husband Norm also founded the Pappas Prize at Federation and remain active in the organization.
Transcript
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Credit as: Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives. Oral History Interview, Susie Pappas, February 6, 2018