THE GIFT OF BREAD Sweep Makes Believers Of Young JCC Varsity Q: What is the difference between a slice of bread and a present? RICHARD PEARL A: Both are gifts. The difference between them is a difference in World view. Most people look and see the slice of bread . . but the person who says a berakka looks at the same piece of bread and sees a gift. (The berakka teaches us to see the bread as if it were gift wrapped,) Staff Writer B arry Bershad is pleas- ed with the progress this year's Jewish Community Center varsity basketball team already has made in learning his new offense. "They're almost all new players, young kids who show a high interest in lear- ning the new system," said Bershad, whose mostly in- experienced team utilized the new offense in sweeping a season-opening three-game series from the hosting Dayton, Ohio, JCC. "The system got us some clutch baskets in Dayton," said the coach, whose players won two of the games by a total of three points. It made believers of them, added Bershad, who is starting his 26th year as volunteer head coach of the varsity. The system is the Duke University-Indiana Univer- sity motion offense, which Bershad learned this past summer, when he assisted Howard Golden in coaching the Detroit Maccabi basket- ball team in the Youth Games. The motion offense, which coach Golden employs at Oak Park High School, con- sists of "semi-sophisticated patterns we've never run before," said Bershad. The patterns keep the players rotating across the court, setting picks. Bershad said he's got the largest varsity team ever — 19 players, 14 of whom are from West Bloomfield High School. But only six squad . members are returnees from last season and team mem- bers realize they lack height — the tallest are returnees Jon Layne and Bryan Silverman at 6-feet-2 each — and experience. The players have made learning the new offense a must, said the coach. "They rely on the system more and they found out that, under pressure, the system works. "We've got a lot of kids willing to listen to me and believe in the team concept," said the coach. "It's a very cohesive unit, very close. We practice three times a week and I have to say they're fun to be with." Returnees include tri- captains Silverman, Joey Hershe (6-1) and Matt Frankel (5-8) plus Jon Layne Barry Bershad: Pleased with progress. (6-0), Aaron Wigod (5-7) and Derek Malerman (5-9). Rounding out the squad are Mike Kam, Bob Budai, John Crimmings, Josh Malerman, Bruce Leuchter, Jeff Wolfe, Scott Schneiderman, Mark Smith, Brian Winshill, Matt Kenner, Brian Dickman, Glenn Bassirpour and Todd Berman. Bershad said he learned a great deal from Golden dur- ing the Youth Games. "And I believe I'm now a better coach because of it," he add- ed. In addition to coaching the JCC varsity, Bershad now is assisting Golden at Oak Park, which has enabled Bershad to schedule three games against the OP junior varsity. Bershad said his team is considering an invitation to a post-season tournament in New Jersey, to be hosted in March by the teams that played in Detroit's Youth Games. The present schedule (H — Home, A — Away): December — 17th, Toledo (H); 20th, Oak Park JV (A). January — 9th, Windsor (A); 10th, Oak Park JV (A); 14th, Bethlehem (H); 19th & 20th, Dayton (H); 24th, Toledo, (A). February — 4th, Wind- sor (H); 7th, Oak Park JV (A); 15-17th, Midwest Tour- nament, Columbus, Ohio. (All home games are played at the Maple-Drake JCC.) Bread is the staff of life. Its importance is reflected in the fact that it has its own special berakka and because it has come to symbolize all food, it is the berakka said before a meal. Saying the berakka can transform "bread" into "gift," and thus change the experience of eating itself! Enjoy The Gift Of Bread 'New Modern Bakery Detroit, MI High Games Edward Burg Nathan Barman Carl Berlin Herbert Bogorad Albert Fagenson Joey Silver Marc Siegler We're Now Working In Your Neighborhood FREE Municipal Bonds Listing Receive Weekly Report; '440- '4V 247 243 230 210 210 210 207 • Kitchen Refacing • New Kitchen Design • 4.v.: N. • Evening Estimates SKIERS: RENT OUR TOP QUALITY SKI EQUIPMENT FOR ADULT AND JUNIOR SKIERS, AVAILABLE BY THE SEASON OR BY THE DAY. December 5, 1990 PARVE is now under strict rabbinical supervision ❑ Jewish War Vets' Bowling Results 353-4186 Hurry in for best selection! Don gkontasr [ SE•orthaus Bloomfield Plaza • Telegraph at Maple Birmingham, Mich. • 626-9500 • Baths Call for a FREE In-Home Estimate. Now and Save $300 Expires 12/31/90 • Maywood • Merillat • Homecrest • Aristokraft VISIT OUR SHOWROOM 525.6511 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 55