Our History
1895-1920
1895
Hebrew Free Loan
Hebrew Free Loan is started by ten men to provide interest free loans to new immigrants.

1899
The United Jewish Charities
The United Jewish Charities is formed by Rabbi Leo M. Franklin to consolidate fundraising efforts within the Jewish community.
1902
The Fresh Air Society
Women of the Beth El Relief Society begin taking immigrant children to Belle Isle for fresh air. In 1904, they establish the Fresh Air Society (now commonly known as Tamarack Camps).

1903
The Jewish Institute
The Jewish Institute (originally the Hannah Schloss center) is opened to provide acculturation services for new immigrants, serving a Jewish population of approximately 10,000 people.
1907
Anshe Chesed Shel Emeth
Hevra Kaddisha Burial Society formally incorporates to become the Anshe Chesed Shel Emeth.
1907
Jewish Old Folks Home
Jacob Levin, an Orthodox Russian Jew, directed the effort to establish the Jewish Old Folks Home.

1914
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee is founded for the relief of Jews overseas.
1914
Yeshiva Beth Yehudah
Rabbi Judah Leib Levin begins an after-school Hebrew study program. Full day curriculum began in 1923 and in 1925, it is renamed Yeshiva Beth Yehudah.
1920's
1920
United Hebrew Schools
The Division Street Talmud Torah and Wilkins Street Talmud Torah combine to form United Hebrew Schools.
1921
The World ORT Union
The World ORT Union is established. ORT originated in 1880 in Russia, where trade and agriculture schools were developed to help lift Jews from abject poverty.
1926
University of Michigan Hillel
University of Michigan Hillel established.
1926
Jewish Welfare Federation
Jewish Welfare Federation is founded under the leadership of Fred Butzel.

1927
Detroit BBYO
The Detroit chapter of BBYO (B’nai B’rith Youth Organization) is formed. The organization was founded in 1924 in Omaha, Nebraska.
1929
Jewish Welfare Federation
The Jewish Agency for Israel, instrumental in founding and building the State of Israel, was established and continues to serve as the main link between the Jewish State and Jewish communities everywhere.
1930's
1936
Jewish Home for the Aged
The Jewish Old Folks Home changes its name to Jewish Home for the Aged.
1937
The Jewish Community Council
The Jewish Community Council is established to respond to the dangers of anti-Semitism and the growing threat of Nazism to European Jewry.
1938
NEXTGen Detroit
A group of young adults meet to organize the “Junior Section” of the Detroit Service Group. In 1953, it was formally incorporated into the Jewish Welfare Federation and renamed Junior Division (continues today as NEXTGen Detroit).

1939
Michigan State University Hillel
Hillel begins holding meetings on the campus of Michigan State University, becoming a permanent part of campus in 1947.
1940's
1941
Jewish Vocational Service
Jewish Vocational Service founded (originally began as an employment agency for women in 1926).

1944
Jewish Social Service Bureau
Jewish Social Service Bureau formed, the pre-cursor to Jewish Family Services.
1945
Hillel of Metro Detroit
The Hillel Foundation of Wayne State University (now called Hillel of Metro Detroit) is founded and today serves the students of Lawrence Tech, Oakland Community College, Oakland University, University of Detroit Mercy, University of Michigan Dearborn, and Wayne State University
February 1948
United Jewish Appeal Study Mission
Joseph Holtzman and Louis Berry embark on a month-long United Jewish Appeal Study Mission to Eastern Europe and Palestine. They return with a passion that ignites the Detroit Jewish community and leads to a record-breaking campaign to aid UJA’s $250 million goal.

May 14, 1948
State of Israel Declared
State of Israel declared. 22,000 people celebrate at the Central High School sports field.

1950's
1951
Camp Tamarack Opens
1952
Fred M. Butzel Memorial Building
Fred M. Butzel Memorial Building dedicated at 163 Madison in Detroit. The building is used to house Federation and number of their agencies.

1953
Sinai Hospital
Sinai Hospital opens its doors. In 1999, the hospital is sold and the Jewish Fund established with the proceeds.

1957
Hillel Day School
Hillel Day School opens to grades one through eight.

1960's
1964
Farber Hebrew Day School
Akiva Hebrew Day School (now Farber Hebrew Day School) opens to students kindergarten through sixth grade.
1967
Six Day War
Israel’s victory in the Six-Day War electrifies Michigan Jewry, who raise a record-breaking sum for the Israel Emergency Fund. David Ben-Gurion visits Detroit.
1970-80's
1976
The Jewish Community Center
The Jewish Community Center (JCC) opens in West Bloomfield.

1984
Holocaust Memorial Center
The Holocaust Memorial Center opens on the JCC Campus in West Bloomfield. In 2004, it moves to a new location in Farmington Hills.
1985
Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater Detroit
Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater Detroit is established, offering Talmud instruction for Jewish students.
1987
Yeshivas Darchei Torah
Yeshivas Darchei Torah established as an Orthodox Jewish day school.
1989
Operation Exodus
Operation Exodus brings hundreds of Soviet Jews to Michigan, aided by the Resettlement Service.

1990's
1991
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit
The Jewish Welfare Federation becomes the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, and operations move to Bloomfield Hills.
1991
The Leonard N. Simons Jewish Community Archives is founded.
1991
Operation Solomon
Over 36 historic hours, Operation Solomon brings more than 14,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel.
1993
Michigan Miracle Mission
Michigan Miracle Mission I brings 1,300 participants to Israel.

1994
Partnership 2000
Partnership 2000 (today called Partnership2Gether) launched, partnering Michigan with the Central-Galilee region to address needs in Israel.
1998
Birthright Israel
A group of Jewish philanthropists create Birthright Israel, a fund to support first time travel to Israel for Jewish young adults.
2000 - Today
2000
Frankel Jewish Academy
The Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit (now Frankel Jewish Academy) opens its doors as a Jewish day high-school.
2007
The Hillel Campus Alliance of Michigan
The Hillel Campus Alliance of Michigan begins serving Jewish students at Alma College, Albion College, Central Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Kalamazoo College, Michigan Technological University, Northern Michigan University and Western Michigan University.
2009
Jewish Senior Life
Jewish Apartments & Services and Jewish Home and Aging Services merge to become Jewish Senior Life.

2016
NEXTGen Detroit Pride
NEXTGen Detroit Pride is launched to serve Jewish Detroit’s young LGBTQA community.

2018
Israel @ 70
The Jewish community celebrates the 70th anniversary of Israel’s statehood with a fair on Detroit’s Riverfront.