Interviewed by Mary Baroff
June 1975
Home of Celia Broder
This interview begins with Celia Broder’s biographical history. She discusses her family and growing up in Detroit, as well as her children. She speaks about Detroit’s Jewish population and migration, and social services offered in the community. She talks specifically about North End Clinic, Sinai Hospital, and the Young Women’s Hebrew Association, all in which she was involved.
Celia talks in-depth about early fundraising efforts, including the beginning of the Jewish Welfare Federation in 1926, reorganized from the United Jewish Charities. Active in Federation, Celia speaks about her role within the organization, including the Women’s Division, of which she was among the founding women.
Celia Broder was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 20, 1898 to Dessie (Keidan) and Harry Meyers. Her distinguished list of community involvement is lengthy. She served in positions at the Detroit League for the Handicapped, Women’s Committee of the Detroit Community Chest, Jewish Community Center, North End Clinic, Sinai Hospital Guild, National Council of Jewish Women, Hadassah, and the sisterhood of Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
Her work as a campaigner for the Allied Jewish Campaign dates back even before the founding of the Women’s Division in 1946, in which she was actively involved; She was the vice-chairman of the first women’s drive in 1939.
Celia was awarded the Fred M. Butzel Memorial Award, one of the Jewish community’s highest honors, in 1973. She passed away on November 9, 1984.
Credit as: Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives. Celia Broder Oral History Interview, June 1975.