r
Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit
Everyone is invited to the JCC's
DAY CA M P
Nixon doesn't even know how
many books he carries: he
estimates it's about 10,000.
One entire section is devoted
to Jewish genealogy.
Books in the Jewish section
cover the gamut, from Dan
Rottenberg's popular Finding
Our Fathers to a new book,
Where Once We Walked: a
Guide to the Jewish Com-
munities Destroyed in the
Holocaust. Mr. Nixon also has
compiled a comprehensive list
of books on Jewish genealogy,
which he gives free to in-
terested visitors.
After touring Old Town and
browsing through genealogy
books at Hearthstone, Jewish
visitors can make the link
between past and present by
visiting the modern syna-
gogues of the two earliest
congregations.
Agudas Achim is the oldest
Conservative synagogue in
Northern Virginia. It was
founded in the early 1900s by
Eastern European .im-
migrants, who first held ser-
vices in an Old Town shul.
Later they became a Conser-
vative congregation, which
now numbers about 1,000
members. Two years ago they
celebrated their 75th
anniversary.
The present synagogue, a
one story brick building at
2908 Valley Drive, was built
in the 1960s. Outside is a
striking sculpture, a tall,
metal Star of David design.
Inside, the main sanctuary
seats 260. "People especially
notice the woven tapestry
over the Ark," says Naomi
Sprecher, administrative
assistant, who also points out
the Ten Commandments,
written in gold leaf above the
Ark.
Besides the main sanc-
tuary, there's also a small
chapel, and a separate wing
with classrooms and a library
for the 100 youngsters atten-
ding the Jewish day school.
Reform congregation Beth
El also welcomes visitors. Its
synagogue, located at 3820
Seminary Road, across the
street from the Virginia
Theological Seminary, is a
white brick building that was
completed in 1957.
Inside, there are varied
reminders of the congrega-
tion's history, including a con-
stitution written in German
by the original founders and
a cornerstone from the temple
on Washington Street. Even a
ceramic spitoon from the ear-
ly days is on the diplay in the
west foyer lobby and was part
of a recent museum exhibit in
Old Town featuring 19th cen-
tury Alexandrian stoneware.
But this is now a modern
congregation with facilities
very different from its modest
beginnings, which include an
art gallery on the first floor,
with changing exhibits and a
permanent collection of 20
works by American Jewish
artists.
Also well worth a visit is
the brand new Northern
Virginia Jewish Community
Center, located 12 miles from
Old Town at 8822 Little River
Turnpike in Fairfax. It serves
the Jews of Alexandria and
the surrounding area.
In the lobby, visitors first
notice the six foot brass
sculpture titled The Family,
created by Israeli sculptor
Azriel Awret. "It was given to
us by the artist," says Jeanine
Herbst, public relations
director.
Also in the lobby is a strik-
ing painting Noah's Ark, done
by Phillip Ratner, an artist
who specializes in biblical
themes.
Other facilities include a
library, lounge, gift shop, and
a fully equipped sports and
fitness center. There's an
auditorium which serves as
the theater for Center Com-
pany, a fully 'professional
theater based at the JCC.
This modern center, which
serves approximately 5,000
members, is ample evidence
that the Jewish community
here, respectful of the past, is
also thriving in the pre-
sent. El
Greece Plans
Sepharad '92
The Greek government is in
close cooperation with the
Central Board of Jewish Com-
munities in Greece for the
realization of the celebrations
program issued for "Sepharad
'92."
Greece is among the coun-
tries that received Sephardic
Jews expelled from Spain.
Most of them settled to
Salonica.
The ceremony relative to
the arrival in Greece of the
torchlight — within the
framework of the "By My
Spirit" program — will in-
augurate a series of special
celebrations in Greece.
The Greek government has
appointed the deputy
minister of foreign affairs,
Mrs. Virginia Tsouderou, as
the link between the Greek
Jewish community and the
Greek public administration
in order to coordinate the ef-
forts for the realization of this
program.
In cooperation with the
Greek Ministry of Tourism,
there is the re-publication of
the booklet "The Jewish
Heritage in Greece" as well
as the creation of travel tour-
ing programs for the Jewish
tourists who after having
visited Spain would wish to
travel to Greece.
0111 11
op'
Sunday, April 12
S4
Meetthe c itifte
our
Iv
ot4 i r sit Wit h
frt .enas
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
6600 West Maple Rd
West Bloomfield, MI
Rain or Shine
Refreshments
Entertainment
Activities for all ages
Interested In Tennis Camp?
I How About Camp Of The Arts?
L
I
1
J
Spend the afternoon with
1
L
FRED THE i'MOOCH
AND
DING DONG THE MAGICAL CLOWN
.J
For more information call the Day Camp Office at 661-1000, ext. 254.
• THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
Toronto, July 24-26. Best seats,
theater tour, city tour
Book early,
this won't last!
$245
• KENTUCKY DERBY May 1-3
Admission, Breakfast,
Harness Racing
fr $135
• HOLLAND TULIP FESTIVAL
With Lunch May 16
$65
• NASHVILLE DELUXE TOUR
April 23-26, May 14-17 & thru Oct.
Opry, Cruise, L. Lynn Dude
Ranch, Meals, more
$309
• SHIPSHEWANA FLEA MARKET
With Amish Dinner
May 6, June 3, 24
$48
• IOWA RIVERBOAT GAMBLING
2 Cruises, Dinner, more
April 24-26, May 15-17
& weekends thru Oct. ....$169
• STRATFORD FESTIVAL
"Romeo & Juliet" May 9,
June 6 (Best seats)
$59
• WASHINGTON, D.C. &
GETTYSBURG Meals, Dinner
Theaters, Museums, Georgetown,
Washington plantation, battlefield
& much more. May 21-25,
Sept. 17-21, Oct. 8-12 ....$365
BRANSON, MISSOURI Celebrity
Shows, Meals, Dinner Theater,
Shepherd of the Hills, Silver Dollar
City, Tours & much more
May 21-26, Aug. 20-25 ....$487
• BOSTON & CAPE COD
June 14-21, Sept. 19-26, Oct. 3-10,
Oct. 10-17. Martha's Vineyard, Tours,
Plymouth Rock, Cruise,
Meals, Lobster
$579
Call for other tours and group discounts
Prices p.p. dbl. occ. incl. hotel & more
QUALITY SELECT TOURS
541.2269
1.800-437-5754
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