Community of Greater
Detroit and Akiva Hebrew
Day School.
Sponsors say the program
will educate local families
about a colorful, but often
overlooked, segment of
Jewish heritage.
"The awareness of the
Sephardic/Spanish Jewish
experience is long overdue,"
said Shirley Behar, presi-
dent of the Sephardic
Community of Greater
Detroit.
Sephardim are descen-
dants of Jews who were
expelled from Spain and
Portugal. Many fled to
North Africa, the Medi-
terranean countries, and
Holland. They have a legacy
of rich culture and dedica-
tion to Judaism, said Sue
Stettner, JEFF director at
the Agency for Jewish
Education.
"We thought it would be
really important to share
the beauty of this culture,
this period in history," said
Mrs. Stettner. "Once again,
Jews became victims, but
survived to carry on as Jews
in other communities. Even
though many assimilated,
others left for a better life.
They brought much of their
skills and identities to a
new place."
Between 500 and 1,000
people are expected for
Sunday's event. More than
60 volunteers, including
members of the B'nei Akiva
youth group, will dress in
ethnic costumes and recre-
ate scenes reminiscent of
the time. Russian transla-
tors will also be present to
help recent emigres under-
stand the event.
Participants will be
encouraged to taste kosher
foods characteristic of Mo-
rocco, Greece, Tunisia and
other countries where
Sephardim lived after the
Inquisition. Rooms in the
Jimmy Prentis Morris
Building of the JCC will be
decorated to look like these
different countries.
Hands-on activities will
include basketweaving, met-
alworking and other crafts
in which Sephardic Jews
specialized.
Rabbi Zev Shimansky,
headmaster at Akiva, be-
lieves his students should
know more about Sephardic
Jews. The event, he says,
supplements the school's
curricula.
"The theme is that once
again we survived," said
Mrs. Stettner. "Even over
the force of a potential con-
version and death, there
were many who were
strong." ❑
"I haven't had this much fun in years! I've met new friends. I'm involved in
activities. I'm happy — and so is my family. Before, housekeeping was a chore,
cooking for myself wasn't fun, and I didn't feel secure living alone. Now, my family
has peace of mind... and I 'm having the time of my life! "
Monthly rent includes: evening meals served in our elegant Rosewood Dining
Room (lunch optional) ■ Weekly housekeeping ■ Scheduled local
transportation.'" Individually controlled heat and air conditioning ■ Cable
television available ■ Kitchen with electric appliances ■ 24-hour emergency-
alert system ■ putting green, walking .and biking trails ■ Library, game and card
rooms ■ beauty /barber shop
For a free brochure or personal tour, call
(313) 350-1777Am
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