Exhibit — Bricks, Mortar and More

The Reuther Library is pleased to announce the opening of a new exhibit: Bricks, Mortar and More: The Jewish Community and the Growth of Wayne State University. This exhibit honors the long partnership between the metro Detroit Jewish Community and the University as represented by the fifteen buildings on Wayne State's main and medical campuses that are named after the members of Detroit's Jewish Community that provided funds for their construction.

The exhibit runs from March 1, 2009 until September 1, 2009, and is located in the Woodcock Gallery on the first floor of the Reuther Library. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am until 5:00 pm. Admission is free.

Along with the expansion of the Wayne State campus, the exhibit celebrates Jewish donors to Wayne State who made large contributions to the University. All are considered icons in the metro Detroit community. Many were innovators, such as Charles Grosberg, a pioneer in the city's grocery business, and Richard Cohn was the creator of the Telephone Directory Advertising Company. Others found opportunities in business. Two began drug stores: Nate Shapero created Cunningham Drug Stores, and Eugene Applebaum founded Arbor Drugs. Marvin Danto created a successful furniture business; Louis Elliman went into steel; Spencer Partrich began buying land while still in law school at Wayne State, and Aaron DeRoy created DeRoy Motor Car Company. Max Jacob established what would become one of the largest bottle companies in America. Still others, like Meyer Prentis, Leonard Simons, Abraham Schiffman and Mort Harris became well-recognized professionals in accounting, marketing, real estate and business. And, Emma Lazaroff Schaver, an accomplished soprano, shared her love of music with Wayne students by providing money for their voice lessons. Altogether, these individuals made a huge donation to the Jewish community, Wayne State University, and humankind.

Each exhibit panel offers photographs of the donor, the building they donated, and other graphics and text about the building and campus.

Curator: Brecque Keith
Design/Fabrication: Camille Craycraft
Writer: Charlotte Dubin

A special thanks to the Jewish Community Archives Exhibit Team of:
Sharon Alterman
Joyce Blum
Ruth Broder
Marjorie Kraskick