Ellen Labes
Interviewed by Robbie Terman
May 9, 2019
Max M. Fisher Federation Building
Ellen Labes
Video 00:34:17
Ellen Labes
Audio 00:34:17
Abstract
The interview begins with Ellen speaking about her childhood, including where she went to school and about her family. She talks about her parents’ history and their involvement in charitable work and attending Temple Beth El.
Next she discusses becoming involved with the Detroit’s Jewish community in the early 1970s as a young parent. The first program she participated in was Phone a Gift to raise money for the Allied Jewish Campaign. After, she became part of the Leadership Training Group and then vice-president of the education arm of the Women’s Philanthropy.
Ellen mentions her family and then discusses positions she held within Women’s Philanthropy as well as some of her accomplishments as president. She talks about the importance of women giving separately from their spouses and about her duties as president. She also names mentors and lessons she learned. She continues discussing challenges and changes in Women’s Philanthropy throughout the years. She also speaks about her hopes for Women’s Philanthropy going forward.
History of Narrator
Ellen Labes was born on May 1, 1933 in Detroit, Michigan to Ethel and Sidney G. Sherman. Raised in Detroit, she graduated from Central High School and attended Temple Beth El. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in music, majoring in piano. She met her husband, Jim and moved to Chicago for a time before returning to Detroit.
A self-described “professional volunteer,” Labes is a past president of Federation’s Women’s Division, serves on the advisory committee and is active in Lion of Judah. She has served as a member of Federation’s executive committee and chairman of the Days of Decision Campaign, and as a member of Federation’s Community Services Budgeting Division.
Outside of Federation activities, Labes’s involvement includes National Council of Jewish Women, Fresh Air Society, Jewish Community Council, and Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
Transcript
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Important Names
Credit as: Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives. Ellen Labes Oral History Interview, May 9, 2019.