The Albert and Pauline Dubin Oral History Archives
This collection includes stories from influential leaders, philanthropists, and those who have helped to shape the Detroit Jewish community.
Interviews
Richard Krugel
In this interview, Richard Krugel first speaks briefly about his parents and grandparent’s history, and how they all immigrated and ended up setting in Detroit. He talks about his childhood and growing up in Detroit. He talks about how important Fresh Air Camp was to him and goes on to explain that he became President of Fresh Air Society in 1985.
Ellen Labes
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.
Irving Laker
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.
Senator Carl Levin
In this interview, Judge Carl Levin talks briefly about his parents. First, he explains his father’s life, a lawyer, born and raised in Chicago, and then compares it with his mother’s life as being part of the only Jewish family in Birmingham, Michigan. Levin describes both his parents as Zionists and his mother was an active member of Hadassah. Levin then discusses his involvement with the formation of the Reconstructionist movement in the 1970s with the Reconstructionist Congregation of Detroit.
Michael Maddin
In this interview, Maddin speaks about his parents and grandparents and his wife and children. He talks about his father’s involvement with the Jewish Community as he was growing up as well as his own involvement.
Florine Mark
In this oral history interview, Florine Mark speaks about her upbringing in a small house with 14 other family members. She talks about her memories of her bubbe setting an example for her by always having the Jewish Welfare Fund box out and encouraging the whole family to give.
Edward Meer
In this oral history interview, Edward Meer talks about his childhood, teen years and about his time in the Marine Corps during World War II. He mentions that he went to school in a predominantly non-Jewish neighborhood and met Jewish kids later in high school.
Allan Nachman
In this oral history interview, Allan Nachman speaks about his parents and his upbringing. He mentions his parent met at a B’nai B’rith Yom Kippur dance and married and a year later he was born. Nachman talks about having an Orthodox father, and then living in a neighborhood that was becoming mostly Jewish right around 1940-1941. His father was one of the founding members of Northwest Hebrew Congregation, and he was raised in a Conservative Jewish environment, and received his Jewish education here.
Robert Naftaly
In this oral history interview, Robert Naftaly talks about his early upbringing. He remembers his grandfather always being involved in the Jewish community (he was the treasurer of the Jewish National Fund) and seeing this as an example. He speaks about his experiences of getting his Jewish education after school attending Yeshiva.
Barbara Nurenberg
In this oral history interview, Barbara Nurenberg speaks briefly about her parents and grandparents. She talks about their immigration and how eventually everyone ended up in Michigan. She mentions her upbringing in Owosso, MI and then her teen years in Flint, MI. In high school, she took on a few leadership positions, such as being part of Michigan State Temple Youth and being involved in art and theater.
Sponsorship
This collection is generously supported by the Albert and Pauline Dubin Oral History Archive fund.
Usage Rules
The Archive prohibits use of the oral history interviews in any way that infringes on individual right to privacy or results in libelous statements or slander, in accordance with U.S. law.
Copyright to the recorded interview(s) and/or subsequent transcript(s) of such remains with the Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives. Please use the following citation format:
© Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives. [Name of Subject] Oral History Interview, [Date of Interview].