Doreen Hermelin
Interviewed by Susie Citrin
November 17, 2005
Max M. Fisher Federation Building, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Doreen Hermelin
Video 01:19:12
Doreen Hermelin
Audio 01:19:12
Abstract
In this interview, Doreen Hermelin talks about her early life. She remembers growing up in a Conservative Jewish home going to Sunday school, and visiting different Synagogues with friends during Yom Kippur. She mentions that she always wanted to hear the sermon. She talks about her father being a role model for her; the doors of his home were always open.
Hermelin speaks of her experiences going to Camp Tamawka and how important going to camp is for informal education. She mentions meeting her husband, David Hermelin, at Camp.
She talks about her experiences in early motherhood and as a wife and shares stories about her husband, David. She tells stories about David’s magic shows while he was ambassador of Norway and the many events and guests at the embassy, including Ahood Barak, Yassir Arafat, and Bill Clinton. Hermelin also discusses her experiences at the Ambassador School.
Hermelin discusses her memories of becoming involved in Hadassah as a young woman and having meetings held at her house for that and also other organizations of which she had been a part.
Hermelin speaks about her various volunteer experiences, including when she was vice-chairman of Orchards Children’s Services, campaign chair for the Women’s Department and the first woman chair for the general campaign.
She tells anecdotes about David and then ends the interview speaking about tzedekah and encouraging the Jewish Community to give back and stay involved.
History of Narrator
Doreen Hermelin was born in Detroit in 1939. She was married to David B. Hermelin (z”l) for 42 years. Appointed by President Clinton in 1997, the Hermelins served as U.S. Ambassadors to Norway until resigning in January 2000. They are recipients of the Ambassador’s Award from the Norwegian Ambassador to the United States.
Mrs. Hermelin is also a recipient of the awards from State of Israel Bonds, B’nai B’rith, Yad Ezra, United Foundation, and Women’s American ORT, as well as Federation’s Butzel Award.
Hermelin served as campaign chair and president of the Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation as well as general campaign chair of Federation. Her volunteer activities have also included Israel Bonds, Orchards Children Services, ORT, and Hermelin-Davidson Center for Congregational Excellence.
Transcript
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Credit as: Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives. Doreen Hermelin Oral History Interview, November 17, 2005.