Interviewed by Sharon Alterman
September 22, 2004
Max M. Fisher Federation Building, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
In this interview, Herbert Kaufman speaks about his parents, and briefly mentions his father’s immigration to Detroit. He remembers his childhood; a very close-knit family with himself and two sisters. He speaks a little about his high school experiences in a very racially and religiously integrated school and the activities he participated in. From here, Kaufman mentions the Jewish Community Center and the time he spent there.
When asked about his religious education, Kaufman speaks about his dad’s involvement with Shaarey Zedek and how he attended Hebrew Day School. He remembers his religious upbringing as being conservative.
Next, Kaufman talks about his career path and how he ended up following in his father’s footsteps as a funeral director. He details his experiences being drafted during World War II and then becoming a traveling salesman of women’s lingerie in Ohio before settling into the family funeral business.
Kaufman mentions fond memories of the friends he met while attending college at University of Michigan, of being a member of the Phi Delta fraternity, and of meeting his wife. He speaks at length about his children and his grandchildren.
At this point in the interview, Kaufman discusses his various leadership positions in the Jewish community, such as when he was president of Temple Beth El, and co-founding the Quarter-Century Club of Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.
Kaufman then speaks about his experiences in Israel and praises the Detroit Jewish community. He speaks about changes in the community that he has witnessed over the years. When asked about his wife, Babs, Kaufman discusses her many accomplishments and activities.
Finally, Kaufman expresses his life philosophy and then speaks more in depth about the respect he has for his father, father-in-law, and his wife.
Herbert Kaufman was born in Detroit in 1924 to Ira and Florence Kaufman. He graduated from University of Michigan in 1947. He served three years in the Army from 1943-1946. Later, he joined his father’s funeral home business, Ira Kaufman Chapel, where he remained throughout his career.
Kaufman was past president of the Jewish Funeral Directors of America, past president of Temple Beth El and a founding co-chair of the Quarter-Century Club of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. Herbert was also honored by the UAHC Fund for Reform Judaism. He was a major participant in the Jewish Funeral Forest in Lahav, Israel.
Herbert Kaufman died April 11, 2018, his 94th birthday.
Credit as: Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives. Herbert Kaufman Oral History Interview, September 22, 2004.