Irving Laker

Interviewed by Sharon Alterman

September 21, 2005

Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit

Irving Laker
Video 51:52
Irving Laker
Audio 51:52

Abstract


In this interview, Irving Laker talks at length about his family and the impression and influence they have had on his entire life.  He speaks about each of his parents’ families and their immigration to Detroit stories. He mentions that both of his parents were involved with the community and were involved with the Pinkster Progressive Organization.  They led a bond drive during World War II for an aircraft in the organization’s name.

Mr. Laker talks about his childhood in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood and mentions that the Purple Gang hung out in his neighborhood.  He discusses his father starting his own business, Ace Wiping Cloth Company and becoming president of Beth Achim.

When asked about his religious upbringing, Mr. Laker mentions that his family was Conservative, kept Kosher, and that religion was an important part of their lives.  Laker also talks about how his mother hired a Rabbi to tutor him after school and then later, sent him to Hebrew School.  This leads into how he and his siblings have raised their own children, keeping Jewish Education very important.

Mr. Laker then introduces Ruben Isaacs and they explain the scholarship that Mr. Laker and his wife offer to Beth Achim for students in Israel.  Mr. Laker also mentions a home dedicated to his family used with JARC.

Laker speaks about being a Bar Ilan honoree, an Israel Bond Program honoree, and his involvements with the Jewish Theological Seminary and Allied Jewish Campaign.  He speaks about being involved with Shaarey Zedek, and the creation of the Holocaust Memorial Center.

Finally, Mr. Laker talks about his experiences with battling prostate cancer, and how he became great friends with his doctor, Dr. Jeffrey Forman, and how this got him involved with the Doctor’s Practice Plan.

He leaves the interview speaking about he would like to make more opportunities for young people in Detroit, so they stay in the city.

History of Narrator


Irving Laker was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 27, 1928 to Harry and Sarah Laker.  He attended Central High School and then University of Michigan, graduating with a degree in business administration. Laker was the longtime president of what is now Ace-Tex Enterprises in Detroit, a family business started as Ace Wiping Cloth by his parents in 1946.

Laker was known for many public acts of charity, but he also did a lot anonymously. He was never “too busy” to help, and never said “no” to anyone or any organization needing assistance. He was a past president of the synagogue and its men’s club and past chairman of Clover Hill Park

Cemetery, Birmingham. Because of his dedication to Congregation Shaarey Zedek, he and his wife, Beverly, established an educational and youth center and sponsored many concerts. He also opened a JARC home in honor of his parents. Laker followed in his father’s footsteps by helping the old Hebrew Benevolent Society and the Pinsker Progressive Aid Society. He served on the advisory committee of the Friendship Circle, supporting the Friendship House in West Bloomfield. He was a board member of the Fund for Cancer Research through the Karmanos Cancer Institute’s Weisberg Cancer Treatment Center in Farmington Hills. He also was a board member of the Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network, and he endowed numerous funds for the elderly and to send young people to study in Israel.

Transcript


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Credit as: © Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives. Irving Laker Oral History Interview, Wednesday, September 21, 2005.