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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.