36
Friday, May 3, 1985
THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Sights, smells
and sounds of Israel
pervaded the Jewish
Center on Sunday as
Detroit Jewry
marked Israel's
37th birthday.
BY HEIDI PRESS
Local News Editor
Hechtman Apts. resident Betty Roth gets in the spirit of the day as the Duo Reim invites her onstage to
dance.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ISRAEL
Balloons popping, kids yelling,
Israeli-made cookies crunching and
hand-clapping to the songs of Duo Reim
marked the annual Israel Independence Day
celebration Sunday at the main Jewish
Community Center.
The day-long celebration featured booths
by local, national and international Jewish
organizations displaying information,
Israeli-made products and food. Nearly 5,000
persons, mostly families with young children,
came to support Israel by buying t-shirts and
other goodies.
Of special interest was an exhibit of
sculpture in bronze and brass by Aharon
Bezalel, which was made available to the
Center by Gallery Yakir. The Maskit design
house exhibited clothing, glasswork, menorot
and a variety of other items.
The scent of Israeli-imported roses wafted
through the air along with the smells of hot
dogs and pita bread sandwiches to entice
hungry visitors.
Many came for the fun of it.
Eleven-year-old Tal Sharon, son of Aryeh and
Soril Sharon, said he came to celebrate Israel's
birthday.
Jack and Paula Finkelstein of Southfield
paused to look at an impressive exhibit from
the American Technion Society. The
Finkelsteins said they come every year. "I come
because I feel strongly about Israel," Mrs.
Finkelstein said.
Center Executive Director Dr. Mort
Plotnick was pleased by the turnout. Esther
Tuchklaper of the Center cultural arts
department echoed his sentiments. "It's a
happy day today. It worked out really nicely."
A packed Shiffman Hall was the scene of
entertainment by the Israeli Duo Reim. A
dancer in the audience, Betty Roth, who resides
at the Hechtman Apts. in the Jewish
Federation Apts. complex in West Bloomfield,
got her chance in the spotlight when the duo
encouraged her to join them onstage.
A special children's carnival featuring
such games as "Jump Over the Jordan River"
was held upstairs at the Center. There also was
a paper airplane contest, "Add a Leaf to the
Mitzvah Tree," and a replica of the Western
Wall where children could write messages.
Anna Lindemann of Oak Park came.
because she loves Israel. "It's important to
support it," she said.
Tal Sharon came to the Center to have fun and celebrate
Israel's birthday.