Family Reunions: A Piece Of The Past Continued from Page L-1 would include anecdotes about the family members and occasions on which they various dishes were served. These items would be reproduced so that all of the family members could have them as heirlooms. Their first reunion generated the need for a second for editing and approval of the final products. The children heard wonderful stories from their parents. They were eager to see the photographs and slides, p[s P ot Refusenik Family Needs Support One way-to learn about Jewish life around the world is to write to a Jewish family in another country. What is daily life like in the pen pal's country? What is Jewish life like? How are the holidays celebrated? To help our readers Giving Thanks Continued from Page L-1 recited as a way of giving thanks to God. "Hodu L'adoshem," we sing in full voice: "Give thanks to the Lord, for God is good." Giving thanks is a decidedly Jewish activity. Furthermore, as American Jews, we gather around our tables at Thanksgiving, not only to give thanks for the joys and bounties of our own lives, but also to thank God that we have come to shore in a land built upon dreams of religious freedom. The Pilgrims were not Jewish, but the holiday which they bequeathed to us can be enjoyed by us both as Americans and as Jews as we gather with our families and give thanks for the gift of freedom and for the cornucopia of blessings which we enjoy each and every day. For me, perhaps the most precious of these blessings is the blessing of family time together. And for that I, too, in a very personal way, as a rabbi's son, who remembers Thanksgiving as a special family time spent together with my father, give thanks. eehalibll THE JEWISH NEWS 27676 Franklin Road Southfield, Michigan 48034 November 17, 1989 Associate Publisher Arthur M. Horwitz Jewish Experiences for Families Adviser Harlene W. Appelman L 2 - and heard the history of their family in the process. The adults decided to add a family tree to the front of the cookbook. The process was wonderful, and the cousins now get together annually. They have agreed to set aside the time to try to get to know one another. It sounds like a wonderful idea, and other such projects can be designed. However, there are a few warnings: • First, we all remember things FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1989 learn about Jews around the world, L'Chayim is making available addresses of Jewish families in communities abroad. This month, the address of Russian Jewish refuseniks was made available by the Detroit Soviet Jewry Committee of the Jewish Community Council. Before writing, please read these special rules for corresponding with Russian Jews: Letters should be personal, warm, sympathetic, and should ask about birthdays, anniversaries and family events. Cards should be exchanged on these occasions and on the Jewish holidays as well the fee is 44 cents per 1/2 ounce, up to two ounces. This month's refusenik family is Vladimir and Karmella Raiz, who first applied to emigrate to Israel in 1972. They were refused because Vladimir's work at the Institute of Molecular Biology would be "contrary to state interests." Following his application, he was fired and has had difficulty securing gainful employment since. Karmella was the first violinist in the Philharmonic Orchestra until the application. Since then, she has only found part-time work. She has taken up painting and is particularly interested in Jewish art and Jewish themes in art. The Raizes have taken part in seminars on Jewish culture, history, modern Israel and Hebrew held in the homes of various refuseniks. For these activities, they have been harrassed by the local police and vilified in the local press. On February 11, 1987, the Raizes were told they would not be allowed to leave for Israel until at least the year 2000. They have two sons, Moshe, 12, and Shaul, 7. Letters of support can be sent to the Raizes as follows: USSR SSR Lithuanian, Vilnius, Charno 18-4 Raiz, Vladimir a little differently and the past always tends to look better with the patina of age. Remember there are ups and downs of nostalgia. • Second, if there are children involved, remember to take a break and take them on an outing. When my sister and I have not seen each other for a long time, my children sometimes feel like outsiders (this can be true for spouses as well). • Finally, be realistic about undertaking projects — better to do something modest and well, than to plan something so ambitious, it is never completed. Why bother with a family reunion? In our fast-paced society, where names and places change at the drop of a hat and our lives are in flux, history provides stability — what better investment in your family's future is there than giving them a sense of the past? Family Reunions: How To Do Them Give people lots of lead time — begin planning early. In this world, calendars are planned months in advance. Give people deadlines to which to respond with things being collected. Let relatives know well in advance if the reunion will require financial participation and how much. Keep a card file with names and addresses, birthdays of each family member — flight arrangements, hotel accommodations, as well as any other items that need attending to can be noted on the cards. Try to plan a mix of activities for the event. Allow time for family members to just relax together. Badges, T-shirts, a family coat of arms on a sweatshirt are all wonderful souvenirs to carry away from all family reunions: Local novelty suppliers are great resources for these items. N L CALENDARS The Jewish Engagement Calendar 5750. The Jewish Calendar 1990 (art illustrations from the collection of Hebrew Union College Museum). The Jewish Book of Days. The Jewish Family's Book of Days. CHILDREN'S BOOKS Beni's First Chanukah by Jane Breskin Zalben. The Tale of Meshka the Kvetch by Carol Chapman. Tell Me a Trudy by Lore Segal. s ADULT BOOKS Louis G. Redstone: From Israeli Pioneer to American Ar- chitect (an autobiography). The Jews in America (gift book of photographs that explore Jewish life in America) intro by Chaim Potok. Is Your Dog Jewish? (Jewish book of questions) by Leo Dworken. The Hadassah Magazine Jewish Parenting Book edited by Roselyn Bell. The New Crowd: The Changing of the Jewish Guard on Wall Street by Judith Ehrlich and Barry Rehfeld. Balaam's Curse: How Israel Lost Its Way and How It Can Find It Again by Moshe Lehem. A Peace to all Peace: Creating the Modern Middle East 1914-1922 by David Fromkin. Available at Book Beat, 26010 Greenfield, Oak Park.