Mark Schlussel
Interviewed by Stanley Meretsky
June 21, 2005
Max M. Fisher Federation Building, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Mark Schlussel
Video 01:35:29
Mark Schlussel
Audio 01:35:29
Abstract
In this interview, Mark Schlussel talks about his childhood. He speaks about growing up and moving around the Detroit area. He mentions that his aunt and uncle were responsible for immigrating with his mother when she was young and has many memories about them. He also speaks about his paternal grandfather’s immigration. Growing up in an Orthodox and Zionist household, mentions that his father was a founding member of the Mizrachi, Young Israel and Bar Ilan University.
Next, Schlussel talks about his teen years. He talks about meeting his wife and also his artistic hobbies. He discusses at length the importance of Jewish Education. He recalls being a part of the Federation and how everyone was always fair in listening to each other’s arguments and ideas. He discusses how being Orthodox played into his role at Federation and his challenges as the first Orthodox president of Federation, along with some social aspects of keeping kosher. He talks more about the Young Israel movement.
Schlussel talks about the Federation projects, such as the Neighborhood Project and also speaks about the closing of Sinai Hospital. He speaks about the present situation of Jewish education and how he believes it will impact the future. He briefly mentions his experiences with the JESNA (Jewish Education Services of North America). He speaks about the Jewish community in Morocco, connecting Jewish people in other travels, and finally ends the interview by talking about his children.
History of Narrator
Mark Schlussel was born and raised in Detroit and graduated from Mumford High School. He received a law degree and has had a long career as a practicing attorney with a focus on health care and real estate law. Additionally, he is an accomplished artist.
His list of philanthropy and leadership roles in the metro Detroit community is lengthy. He has served as past president of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit (the first Orthodox Jew to hold the role), Jewish Federation Apartments Jewish Education Service of North America, the Detroit chapter of the Jewish National fund, past chairman of Sinai Hospital, and a board member of United Jewish Foundation. He has held leadership roles at both Akiva Hebrew Day School and Council of Jewish Federations.
Transcript
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Credit as: Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives. Mark Schlussel Oral History Interview, June 21, 2005.