For Marcie Hermelin Orley, being an exemplary and celebrated Jewish leader and philanthropist is like being a “link in a chain.” Her father David Hermelin of blessed memory and mother Doreen, two pillars of Jewish Detroit, set a daily example that left an indelible impression on Marcie at an early age.
“As a teenager, I’d walk downstairs and there would often be 100 people in our house, attending a meeting, an event, or community gathering,” she recalls. “Our home was a community space. It was a joyful part of my life. It was truly the air I breathed. Their example was impactful—it’s just so much a part of me.”
An active volunteer in metro Detroit’s Jewish community—making countless contributions and taking on numerous leadership roles throughout the years, Orley will be honored by Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy with the 2025 Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award.
Winners are chosen by their peers as Women of Valor who exemplify the spirit of the Lion of Judah through a lifetime commitment to the highest ideals of community leadership and philanthropy, addressing community challenges, uplifting others, and displaying a commitment to tzedakah and tikkun olam.
“I am so honored that Detroit has chosen to recognize me with the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland award,” she says. “As a Lion of Judah, I’m a member of a community of committed, passionate, philanthropic, and like-minded women. It is empowering for me to know that what I do is leveraged by the work of so many other women—individually what we do is significant, but the work of Lions of Judah collectively has been nothing short of transformational in the Jewish world.”
A Role Model for Women
The oldest of five children, at one point Marcie considered becoming a rabbi. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from New York University and then graduated magna cum laude from Cardozo School of Law and served as a law clerk to Judge Avern Cohn. After marrying her husband, Rob, and the birth of their children, Matthew, Alex, Jason and Olivia, Marcie began taking on leadership roles.
She is a past president of Women’s Philanthropy and served as campaign chair. Marcie was instrumental in the creation of the Mosaic Mission, a women’s mission to Israel.
“I loved being president of Women’s Philanthropy. It’s one of the most rewarding roles I’ve ever had,” she says. “Susie Pappas had the idea for the Mosaic Mission. It came to fruition on my watch, but it was her baby. It’s so rewarding to see many of the women who went on these trips now in leadership roles.”
Marcie was the 2017 and 2018 Detroit Federation Annual Campaign Co-Chair, a member of the executive committee and Board of Governors, and the Israel and Overseas Allocations Committee. Nationally, she served on the National Women’s Philanthropy Board (2011 – 2019), including 2019 chair of the International Lion of Judah Conference. She also served on National Young Leadership Cabinet and chaired JFNA’s National Federation/Agency Alliance from 2014- 2017.
Orley co-chaired the 2020 Federation visioning process with Peter Alter and currently serves as policy co-chair and a board member of the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA).
Her communal work was recognized in 1997 with the Sylvia Simon Greenberg Young Leadership Award from Detroit Federation. But, most rewarding, she says, is setting an example for her daughter, daughters-in-law, and others to follow.
“I feel strongly that I’m a link in a chain, and commitment, leadership and responsibility is a gift that was given to me,” she says. “My daughter and daughters-in-law see Jewish leadership as something to aspire to and being a role model for them means everything to me. My mother certainly was for me. I come from a feeling of gratitude that I’m able to do this. I don’t take it for granted.”
Now More than Ever
During this volatile and challenging time when hostages are still being held in Gaza following the deadly October 7 terror attack on Israel that left more than 1,200 men, women and children dead, Orley knows her work is more important than ever. She goes out of her way to keep her Jewish identity front and center—proudly wearing two Jewish stars.
“This is not a time I ever thought we’d be living through,” she says.
The recent birth of her 12th grandchild is a profound reminder of the need to ensure a strong Jewish future in Israel and America. Orley says she’s driven by her love for Detroit’s Jewish community and its ability to make a significant impact.
“Our community is unique in so many ways—how close knit, connected, and affiliated we are,” she says. “And what a difference it’s possible to make here and in Israel. It has added so much meaning to my life to be doing this.”
Marcie will receive the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award at the 2025 Lion of Judah event October 15 as well as the International Lion of Judah Conference, January 12-14, 2025, in Atlanta. Please join us in extending a heartfelt mazel tov to Marcie Hermelin Orley, from a grateful community.
