Leaders of all groups in the Detroit Jewish community paid tribute to Isidore Sobeloff, executive vice-president of the Jewish Welfare Federation on the occasion of his completion of 25 years of service in Detroit. A group of his friends set up an initial fund of $5,000 for the creation of an Isidore Sobeloff Community Service Fund. Mr. Sobeloff will designate its use.
Establishment of the fund was announced by Max M. Fisher, president of the Federation, who presided at a luncheon marking Mr. Sobeloff’s quarter-century of service. Mr. Fisher spoke “in behalf of a grateful community.” He said that the community has a deep fondness for Mr. Sobeloff. “He has been our inspiration,” he declared.
Federal Judge Theodore Levin, describing Mr. Sobeloff’s career in Detroit, said that the executive had influenced both Jewish and non-Jewish philanthropies. Judge Levin cited Mr. Sobeloff’s service as director of the War Chest for all refugee relief agencies during World War II, his many national positions, his many published papers and his guidance to numerous movements in the field.
Judge Levin told the gathering that Mr. Sobeloff “helped strengthen our Hebrew schools, brought inspiration to efforts for the Home for the Aged, Sinai Hospital and all our local causes. He set up methods of budgeting and important social service agencies. We are greatly indebted to him because, thanks to him, we have a community that is tops in organization and devotion.”
Max Zivian, president of the United Jewish Charities, said Detroit was a better place to live in because of Mr. Sobeloff’s achievements and that the social work executive’s leadership had helped to create reserve energies for the community and built a foundation for future generations.
In his response, Mr. Sobeloff said that “the job for all of us is to recognize the traditions of our people. Our job can be done if we work together.” He stressed that the Detroit Jewish community had reached the stage that while capital for future construction was still needed, the greater need was for planning for great workers. “Our concentration is on the future,” he added. “I urge you to go forward together. We can make Detroit the best kind of a community only if we work together.”
Commenting on the references that were made at the luncheon to Mrs. Sobeloff, the Federation executive paid honor to his wife and her partnership with him in his work here by stating that she possessed “the necessary training, intelligence and feeling to wards the social work field.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
