Penny Blumenstein
Interviewed by Charlotte Dubin
May 23, 2005
Max M. Fisher Federation Building, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Penny Blumenstein
Video 01:31:54
Penny Blumenstein
Audio 01:31:54
Abstract
In this interview, Penny Blumenstein discusses her early childhood; the influence of her parents and grandparents, and the friends she made and kept throughout her life. She mentions that though she did not have much of a Jewish education growing up, she grew up as a member of Congregation Shaarey Zedek and she volunteered with her mother every year in the March of Dimes.
From here, Blumenstein talks about her education and how when she got married and became pregnant, she still took classes but did not work towards earning a degree. Eventually, wanting to participate in other areas, Blumenstein got involved with volunteering with ORT and then later got involved with the Women’s Division of Jewish Federation.
Blumenstein discusses her role models in the Women’s Division, and also gives her impressions and thoughts on women as leaders. At this point, she mentions her involvement with and the goals the Strategic Action Plan Committee, then speaks about her experiences on the road to becoming the first female president of Jewish Federation and her relationship with Max Fisher.
Blumenstein speaks on the challenges of the Federation, which she views as being funding, needing change, and finding new donors. This leads into a short discussion on Jewish education, and the Shalom Street children’s museum, the Millennium Campaign, and Miracle Missions.
Finally, Blumenstein talks about her involvement in New Detroit, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and with the Community Foundation of South East Michigan. The interview ends with discussion of her grandchildren.
History of Narrator
Penny Blumenstein was born in Detroit on December 10, 1939. A longtime community leader, a passionate advocate for Israel, an activist and philanthropist, Blumenstein has the distinction of being the first woman to serve as President of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit (1998-2001).
A graduate of Mumford High School, she married young and raised two sons and a daughter, simultaneously taking classes at Wayne State University. Starting out as a Campaign volunteer, Blumenstein worked her way through the Federation system, moving into the ranks of leadership. Her Federation responsibilities have included: Co-Chair Federation Strategic Plan Action Committee, 1992-1996; Chair, Allied Jewish Campaign, 1996-97; Campaign Chair, Women’s Division, 1991-93; and President, Women’s Division, 1993-95. In 1996, Blumenstein co-chaired Federation’s Annual Campaign.
Blumenstein is active in numerous other organizations, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the American Joint Distribution Committee, where she served as president.
Transcript
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Credit as: Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives. Penny Blumenstein Oral History Interview, May 23, 2005.