Ellen Labes
Interviewed by Ruth Broder
August 3, 2005
Max M. Fisher Federation Building, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Ellen Labes
Video 01:05:57
Ellen Labes
Audio 01:05:57
Abstract
In this interview, Ellen Labes talks briefly about her parents and both sets of grandparents. She speaks about how her paternal grandparents had moved from what is now Riga to Bay City, Michigan where many other Jewish families from Riga had also settled. Eventually, they settled in Detroit.
Labes mentions briefly her childhood and her schooling years. She remembers going to visit her grandmother in Bay City and remembers the strong Jewish community there. From here, she mentions her college years majoring in piano at University of Michigan and then goes into meeting her husband, Jim.
Next, Labes explains how she became involved with a small 12-family Jewish community on an Army base in Justice, Virginia while Jim was stationed, but got heavily involved in the community when she and her family moved back to Detroit. She first was involved with the Leonard School PTA, but later moved on to become president of the Women’s Division of Federation.
Here, Labes speaks at length about the Women’s Division, her activities while president and how it has changed over the years. Labes talks about her other activities within the community, such as her experience as the Board of Governors of Federation and being the chair of the Lion of Judah. She discusses the decision made to make a Lion pin available to women who pledge $5000 or more. From here, Labes speaks about her involvement with being chair and co-chair of the Commission on Jewish Eldercare Services (COJES), her experiences with the Jewish Women’s Foundation, the National Council of Soviet Jewry, Jewish Family Services, and National Council of Jewish Women.
Labes talks about her many mission to Israel, including Miracle Missions and relates experiences she has had being bus captain on a couple of trips. She then mentions her involvement with Yad Ezra.
Labes goes on to explain what she thinks the differences are between her generation and the next. She talks about problems and issues the community may face presently and in the future. She speaks at length about the city of Detroit and the Jewish community within. She also talks about her experiences on the National Council of Federations being on the Business and Professional Women’s National Board.
Finally, Labes gives the message to the future generations to stay involved and talks about her own children’s involvement with the community.
History of Narrator
Ellen Labes was born on May 1, 1933 in Detroit, Michigan to Ethel and Sidney G. Sherman. Raised in Detroit, she graduated from Central High School and attended Temple Beth El. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in music, majoring in piano. She met her husband, Jim and moved to Chicago for a time before returning to Detroit.
A self-described “professional volunteer,” Labes is a past president of Federation’s Women’s Division, serves on the advisory committee and is active in Lion of Judah. She has served as a member of Federation’s executive committee and chairman of the Days of Decision Campaign, and as a member of Federation’s Community Services Budgeting Division.
Outside of Federation activities, Labes’s involvement includes National Council of Jewish Women, Fresh Air Society, Jewish Community Council, and Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
Transcript
Important Subjects
Important Names
Credit as: Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives. Ellen Labes Oral History Interview, August 3, 2005.