SINGLE LIFE From Russia Continued from preceding page 94 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1989 their time to their studies, thereby restricting social ac- tivities. When they do go out with friends, they go to par- ties or movies. "But we do not go often to parties;' said. "It is dif- ficult, because we must always study. We cannot go to restaurants, because we do not have the money!' Yaacov Khanuk, 34, arrived in Detroit over 18 months ago from Moscow. He is working as a computer programmer for an insurance company. But his experience has been similar. "When I go out, I often go with my workmates, Khanuk said. "They are all American, but not Jewish — and most of them are guys. One barrier is my language!' Khanuk's concern about-his English has made him stop going to singles events at the Center, he said. Single people meet in the Soviet Union much the way they do in the U.S. They meet at work, at college, at parties, through relatives and friends, Khanuk said. Jewish people also meet in the streets surrounding the Moscow Synagogue, he added. Yuri Kalish recently began a job as a mechanical engineer. He also attends classes at Wayne State University and hopes to earn a doctorate in his field. Although he has daily con- tact with Americans, he, too, has found it hard to make new friends. He socializes mainly with other Soviet im- migrants and is trying to get more infolved in the Jewish community. "At the university, I didn't make friends," Kalish said. "The people who meet in lec- tures in the evening almost don't even talk to each other. "But I am having fun get- ting to know a new style of life. I am trying to participate in everything, such as going to the JCC, concerts and meetings at synagogues. Maybe then I will meet some young ladies?' people living apart from their families requires a major change in the thinking of Soviet immigrants, according to the JCC's Berger. "There are simply not enough apartments," she said. "The Soviet Jewish peo- ple who come here cannot understand why kids go away to college, or why seniors live alone. They can't believe we have senior citizen housing. This is a major cultural dif- ference!' One recent arrival who is having less trouble adjusting to her new life is Simona Alexandrov, 25, who has been in the Detroit area for a year. She is working on a master's degree in fine arts at the Cranbrook Art Academy and teaches ceramics at the Maple/Drake JCC. "I think it's not very dif- ficult for me; I have very nice people around me," Alexan- drov said. "At Cranbrook, I enjoy it verymuch. The people are very nice — it's un- believable how nice!' Alexandrov said that singles in the Soviet Union usually "do not go to bars or restaurants the way they do here. It is more expensive in the Soviet Union to do those things!' Being an artist has helped her adjust to life in the United States, Alexandrov believes. "Artists are different from other people, both in the United States and in the Soviet Union," Alexandrov said. "I think life as an artist is very similar, with only the language barrier. But I can understand almost everything. "American men seem to be less anxious about hard life problems than Soviet men. Men here are more into hav- ing fun and going out. "But the truth is, all people are a little bit different — and a little bit similar!" ❑ One of the major differences in the lifestyles of young Rus- sians and Americans is the fact that in the Soviet Union, young adults are not able to move away from their parents when they are single, and often not even after they marry. "It is practically impossible in the Soviet Union to live separately," Kalish sqd. "A lot of young married people live with their parents., Some have the chance to have their own room somewhere. Before marriage, for sure, they live with their parents." The idea of young working The Social Singles (40-60) will meet at 6 p.m. Nov. 28 for dinner at Bill Knapps follow- ed by a movie at The Old Or- chard Theater. Reservations are due Nov. 25. Call Fern Fine at 356-2265. - The Social Singles will at- tend a performance of William Shakespeare's A Winter's Tale, 8 p.m. Dec. 2 at The Hilberry Theater. There is a ticket charge. Reservations deadline is Nov. 25. Carpools will meet at the Jewish Community Center Jimmy Prentis Morris Building at 7:15 p.m. Social Singles Set Dinner, Movie For information and reser- vations, call the JCC, 661-1000, Ext. 347. Havdalah Service Slated For Singles The Jewish Community Center Social Singles and Congregation B'nai Israel will conduct a Havdalah ser- vice for all Jewish singles 8 p.m. Nov. 18. The service, led by Rabbi Sherman P. Kirshner, will be followed by story teller Cor- inne Stavish, refreshments and a sing-a-long. For reservations, call the JCC, 661-1000, Ext. 347. Correction The Kesherdsrael Connec- tion Center telephone number listed Nov. 3 for the North American Jewish singles tour to Israel Dec. 20-Jan. 1 was incomplete. The full number for information and reservations is 1-800-888-KESH (or 1-800-888-5374). Folk Dancing Is Scheduled All Jewish singles are in- vited to participate in Israeli and international folk danc- ing at The Birmingham Thm- ple, 7-9 p.m. Nov. 19. Dances will be taught. For many of the dances, no part- ner is required. There is a nominal admis- sion charge. For more infor- mation, call Allen Reed at 443-0419. Single Parents, Kids To Bowl The Jewish Community Center's Single Parent Fami- ly Club will hold a bowling and pizza party, 1 p.m. Nov. 19 at Langan's. Single parents and their children who are ages 5-16 are invited. There is a charge, and reservations are due Nov. 17. Call the Center, 661-100, Ext. 347. ACS Celebration Slated Tuesday Area singles will have a chance to help the American Cancer Society and at the same time enjoy Clubland, Detroit's newest nightspot, during the ACS Celebration of Giving, 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Nov. 21, according to chairman Bob Levy. There is a cash donation. For information, call the ACS offices, 425-6830; or 758-7800.