A Memory Is Made In A Moment ...And Lasts A Lifetime The Jewish News is pleased to share with you the first place winners in the Memory Is Made In A Moment ... And Lasts A Lifetime essay contest, co-sponsored by Women's Division of The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and Jewish Experiences For Families. It honors the publication of Harmony And Dissonance, Voices Of Jewish Identity in Detroit, 1914-1966, by Sidney Bolkosky. During my 15 years many wonderful Jewish memories come to mind, but one of the most prominent in my life was my first-grade Siddur party. Each year at Hillel Day School the first grade students recite and sing the morning prayers in an exceptional program. My first-grade Siddur party was held in the gymnasium of the school. However in the midst of all our excitement it resembled an enormous theater. The curtains opened and to our surprise, there were what seemed like millions of people in the audience waiting for the big moment when we would begin. Proud parents, grandparents, sisters and brothers all anxiously anticipating our every word, were nodding their heads in unison, showing their approval. The rabbi said a few wise words and then we received a signal to begin. While I and my fellow first-graders were singing joyfully on the stage, our Hebrew teachers were in the wings singing with us making sure everything ran smoothly. I remember it so vividly. We were all dressed in our best clothes, beaming with gaiety and singing wholeheartedly. Chanting Modeh Ani with our high- pitched voices delighted and entertained everyone. After the first grade concluded with the service, the rabbi called each of us up and handed us our very own Siddur and an Elite chocolate bar. The brand-new Siddur had a clean, fresh smell to it and there on the inner binding of the book was my Hebrew name. What a wonderful feeling came over me. It was my very own Siddur! How proud I felt. The first grade had worked very hard at learning the prayers and this L-8 FRIDAY, NOV. 29, 1991 was our reward. That night is one of my happiest reminiscences and I will always carry the memory in my heart. Marissa Rothstein High School 1st Place My Memories Of Jewish Moments Ever since I can remember I've been celebrating the Jewish holidays with my family. When I look through picture albums I see pictures of me at age two trying to light the Chanukah candles. For me all the Jewish holidays are especially memorable. I remember all the guests that fly in and the different foods and the different ceremonies. But out of all the holidays, Pesach is my favorite one. Maybe it's because I get to participate in the seder, or because I love the story so much. But each year I wait expectantly for Pesach. This year however, went a little differently. It started off with a huge storm. Winds and rain caused the electricity to go out. At first it was fun, but after the first day when the power still hadn't returned, it was cold and boring. In my family my grandparents have the first seder at their house and then the second seder is at my house. Well, on the day of the first seder my mom was more than a little frantic. So was I. Mom was ready to call off the seder completely. I didn't want to give up at all and neither did my sisters. Though it was cold and the prospect of the power coming on seemed unlikely, we worked and worked and worked. We trudged up and down the basement steps, pulling out china we hadn't seen since last year and putting our everyday dishes in their place. Then all the food that hadn't been discarded was put down in the basement and locked up. We were all ready for a break, but instead we kept working. We did rest for a few minutes. We dialed the electric company and pressed redial over and over again. Finally we got through to them. They said there were workers working on it and heat and lights should be coming on very soon. Together my sisters and I walked into the living room. We were all quiet; probably we were just tired. But to myself I said a little prayer. I said I had done everything possible and now all we needed was the electricity. I got up hoping the lights would spring on, and went to get dressed for the first seder still wishful. Suddenly throughout the house I could hear my littlest sister's voice, "The lights are on, the lights are on!" I really do believe that God heard my prayer. He saw how hard we worked on preparing the seder and restored the power for us. I also think it was a little test. We had faith that the power would be returned and it was! Another one of my favorite memories is Shabbat. Not any particular Shabbat but all of them together are so special. Before this past summer my family didn't keep Shabbat. But while I was at Camp Maas we celebrated Shabbat. They were always special, happy, and relaxing days. I very much wanted to continue the tradition at home. Both my parents were pleased with the idea. So now every Friday night, the table is set specially in the dining room. My mother, my two sisters, and I chant in unison the prayer over the Shabbat candles. Then everyone walks over to the dining room. First we say the kiddush, first my dad, then me, then Jenny, and Emily says as much as she can. After taking a sip of wine we say the Hamotzi. We eat the special challah bread, and then we come to my absolute favorite part. Everyone in my family reviews in their mind what happened over the week since the last Shabbat. Then in order we say the best thing that happened to us this week. It's a great way to think back on memories positively and look forward to the week to come. The holidays and Shabbat are what make living in Detroit as a Jew so special. When I have a family of my own I'm going to continue to keep kosher, keep Shabbat, and celebrate the holidays. I hope that my children will be able to look back on things like these as happy Jewish memories. Beth Farber Middle School 1st Place Three Jewish Memories One Jewish memory that I have was going to Israel. The thrill of meeting my cousins in a new country and going to see and learn about their land was very exciting. The thing I liked the most was going to the Western Wall and writing a letter to God. I also enjoyed seeing a bird sanctuary. Climbing Masada was also a great thrill. I felt as if my life was going to end if I walked any further. Another memory was going to the Walk for Israel, and getting to go to the Holocaust Center with my father where I met a lot of rabbis. I also went to a Holocaust Center in Israel, and there were pictures and stories to tell the names of all of the unfortunate children who died in the Holocaust. There was a section with many trees planted, with plaques to tell us how these people risked their lives to save others. The third and most special to me was going to the bar mitzvah of my friend David. David is not like most of us. He was born with Down's syndrome. He did not get to have a bar mitzvah like most kids at 13. He worked so hard to learn to read the Torah. He was 27 when he finally did this. I was very proud of him because for him, this was the most special day in his life. Things that are easy for me, are very hard for him. Josh Grant Elementary School 1st Place