Alan E. Schwartz
Interviewed by Wendy Rose Bice
June 28, 2004
Max M. Fisher Federation Building, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Alan E. Schwartz
Video 01:05:25
Alan E. Schwartz
Audio 01:05:25
Abstract
In this interview, Alan E. Schwartz speaks briefly about his parents and their immigration to Detroit. He mentions his memories of childhood, growing up in what he describes as a not very observant Jewish household. He then mentions attending Cranbrook for high school, and then University of Michigan, then into the Navy, and then graduating from Harvard Law School. From here, Schwartz talks about his experiences early in his law career in New York, then moving back to Detroit and starting a firm with Jason Honigman and Jack Miller.
Schwartz talks about Max Fisher and their relationship. He goes into both Detroit Renaissance and New Detroit and his involvement with New Detroit. Going deeper into Detroit topics, he speaks about dealing with Coleman Young while he was mayor, as well as his involvement with the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Schwartz talks about his leadership style and his involvement with Fresh Air Society. Though he did not consider himself a fundraiser, he speaks about his thoughts on fundraising and other members of the Federation that he admires.
Schwartz speaks on the challenges the Federation underwent while he was president in the 1970s. He goes into allowing Jewish people to join the Detroit Athletic Club. He then talks about the current challenges of the Jewish community. Finally, Schwartz talks about working with various Detroit politicians over the years and gives advice to the current generation.
History of Narrator
A Detroit-native born in 1925, Alan E. Schwartz is a graduate of Cranbrook Schools and the University of Michigan. His undergraduate years were interrupted by two years of service in Guam during World War II. He returned to finish his degree at U of M, and entered Harvard Law School, graduating Magna Cum Laude and Harvard Law Review editor in 1950.
Schwartz came home to Detroit in 1952 and founded Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP with his partners. His philanthropic and charitable endeavors are lengthy and varied, and include Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Michigan Opera Theatre, United Way, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, New Detroit, Detroit Renaissance, Skillman Foundation, Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Cranbrook Schools, Kalamazoo College, Wayne State University, Detroit Medical Center and the Kresge Foundation. In recognition of his service, Schwartz has received numerous accolades and honors from the community, including the Fred M. Butzel Memorial Award (1974), the George W. Romney Award for Lifetime Achievement in Volunteerism (1994), the Max M. Fisher Community Service Award (1997) and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Detroit Institute of Arts (1997).
Transcript
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Credit as: Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives. Alan E. Schwartz Oral History Interview, June 28, 2004.