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My grandfather, Herschel Belinsky, was one of the earliest members of B'nai David. I have fond memories of the synagogue from almost 50 years ago. I would really appreciate any interior images. Thanks.

Fred

I belonged to Bnai David for 60 years. To the Sisterhood forever; to the
Synagogue over 40 years. I remember many wonderful times with Bnai David. The
Sisterhood was a very important pillar in the existence of Bnai David. My life with Bnai David went through three rabbis: (Sparks, Donen &Yolkiet) and one wonderful Cantor, Adler. In the early years of the sisterhood, we had all our meetings at night at Elmhurst and Fourteenth. We walked there. Some had cars and picked up other members. Most of our luncheons were prepared at night. Many times we had spaghetti up to our elbows. Our children were home asleep with fathers as "sitters". The sisterhood with time and fund raising took pride in everything they did for the Synagogue. Just to mention some of what they did: Furnished the foyer with new upholstered benches. Placed beautiful plants in the sanctuary. Curtained the beama and placed fresh flowers in front of it. Polished the benches. Remodeled the Bridal room. Had new fixtures installed in all lavatories painted the small Social hall and put in new Venetian blinds. In the large social hall we bought and installed new curtains. Polished all wood walls. For the stage we bought and installed new velvet draw drapes. Carpeted the stage. And bought 500 new chairs. The small chapel had all its brass and wood cleaned and polished. Bought the installed new Venetian blinds. To beautiful Presidential chairs were reupholstered.
The kitchen was completely remodeled with new stove, refrigerator, and freezer , sink, disposal , New cupboards with locks, Pots and pans.
NN


In 1942 I attended Sunday School at the B'nai David. By 1944 I then attended the United Hebrew School which was housed in the Central High School Building at Tuxedo & LaSalle.

Between 1947 and 1950 I was the Cantor of the Junior Congregation which was run by the United Hebrew Schools. A teacher by the name of Rottenberg was in charge. I believe he was the principal of the school which held classes at Central High School after 3:00 pm. when the High School closed down for the day.

Rabbi Sperka was the original Rabbi. He performed my parents' wedding ceremony which took place in Mt. Clemons in 1932. Rabbi Donnin also officiated at the Elmhurst synagogue. Rabbi Adler was the Cantor.
Nelson Samuel Magedman


NN

Lenore and I were married at B'nai David on Elmhurst &14th on Dec. 7,1947. Rabbi Sperka and Cantor Adler officiated. Our kids, Mona, Arlene and Jerry all attended Hebrew school at the Southfield site. My brother-in-law, Harry Koltonow was president one year on Southfield, but I'm not sure of the year. I'm sure his wife Lottie, or his kids, Marlene, Leonard or Carolyn would remember.
- Shap28


Rabbi Joshua Sperka was the Rabbi when it was on Elmhurst - then when it moved to Southfield - Rabbi Donin z'l, was the Rabbi - Cantor Chaim Adler officiated at both Shuls --- it was Traditional after it had mixed seating - never conservative! The last Rabbi was Yolkut.
- Ruth M.

On your Web page on "The Lost Synagogue's of Detroit", B'Nai David is incorrectly described as moving to "western Oak Park". The new 1956 location is in Southfield, (Southfield @ 9 » mile) not Oak Park.
- Ira

This is actually the former B'Nai David. I grew up in this synagogue. The congregation moved sometime in the late 50's or maybe early 60's to Southfield. If you go inside, you will see on the ceiling a number of memorial plaques and other memorabilia. When the congregation turned 100 (in Southfield), a film was done of the old synagogue. This was B'Nai David's second home, I believe. The Southfield synagogue is now the Southfield Center for the Arts. The congregation split about ten years ago and the remnants of the original congregation are dissipating pretty fast. I believe that when B'Nai David was first formed (prior to 14th and Elmhurst), it was formed by Hungarian Jews.
- Maxine

I went to Hebrew school here from 1938 until 1942 and was prepared here for my Bar Mitzvah although it did not occur at this synagogue. My paternal grandfather was responsible for my religious training. I suspect he picked out this synagogue because of its proximity to where I lived with my parents, which was 1721 Collingwood, just east of 12th street. We had no other connection with the synagogue and I don't remember a lot about except the musty smell in the basement classroom.

I did attend some Saturday services and my recollection is that I was impressed with its ambiance.
- Ron


1928. [Architect] John L. Popkin. Early Romanesque with a decided Byzantine feeling. Large two story arch frames a triple entrance. The tablets of the Law (Ten Commandments) pierce the roofline at the center of a large arcuated frieze. Solomonic columns and winged lions lend an exotic eastern air.

Financial problems in the Depression led them to reorganize as B'nai David. This is one of the major Detroit conservative congregations.

In 1956, B'nai David moved to 24350 Southfield Road, in western Oak Park, Michigan. By about this time, most of the congregants had moved either to the Curtis-Wyoming area or in new Oak Park and Southfield tracts. Noteworthy, the Jewish Community Centers, the Jewish social agencies, Hebrew Schools, and other Jewish institutions were also out in NW Detroit or the suburbs by 1956.

You might want to tie the Butzel Bldg. on Madison Ave. (Jewish Federation) to this. The Federation held on downtown long after Jews lived nearby. The Federation bldg., now law offices, is nicely maintained I think.
- Arnie

I first was inside this synagogue when I was 4 yrs. old...participating in my Aunt & Uncles wedding in 1936. My brother & I were a junior usher & junior bridesmaid. When we practiced walking down the two isles, looking across the empty rows at each other, it was a cinch. But when we did it for real at the wedding, it was impossible to see each other because those rows were filled with PEOPLE!! What fond memories!
- Barb

I was the "last" Rabbi to serve as spiritual leader of Congregation Bnai David at its magnificent structure on Southfield Road and 9 1/2 Mile Road. I arrived in Southfield in August of 1977 and served until May of 1994 when the doors of the Southfield Bnai David closed for the last time. We have many fond memories of our years with this historic congregation and recall a magnificent Centennial celebration in 1992. Bnai David was known as the "Russische" shul because it was founded by a group of 14 Jews recently arrived in May of 1892 from Russia. We would love to hear from our former congregants and friends of their special memories. We currently live in Philadelphia and serve a congregation very similar in philosophy and ritual to that practiced at Bnai David. We look forward to reading other comments on your website about this historic synagogue.
-- Rabbi Morton and Aline Yolkut

I had my Bar Mitzvah at B'Nai David in 1944. Sort of a renegade, I was expelled from Hebrew School at Central a few weeks before the ceremony, but made it through okay ( reason for expulsion available on request).

I saw a writing from " Nelson Samuel Magedman." I knew Felice Magedman as a teenager. Wonderful girl with a voice of an angel. Could anybody hook us up? I'd love to reminisce.
-- Morton Newman

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