"4 Final Markdown, 1/2off And More! No doubt about it, Birmingham's most preferred men's clothier has reached an all-time low. MAXWELL 116 North Woodward Avenue • Corner of Maple • 642-1965 Hours: Monday-Saturday 10-6, Thursday 10-9, Friday 10-8 Patagonia Clothing For An Active Life Style. CAP I ° UNDERWEAR THE DETRO IT JE WISH NE WS Sweat happens. Skiers, sailors, paddlers, fishermen and climbers are all the same when you get down to it. Capilene® Underwear, available in four weights, is uniquely effective at wicking moisture from the skin and dispersing it. You sweat, it works. 20 the yachtsman Michigan's largest selection of Patagonia apparel. 4316 N. Woodward Ave * South of 14 Mile Road (313) 549-5070 `Sephardic Journey' Attracts Detroiters 4 -4 RUTH LITTMANN STAFF WRITER W ho knew that Jews were jug- glers and lion tamers a long time ago in Spain? Or that their Torahs were inscribed on cowhide, not parchment? Or that many of these Jews were executed in 1492 when the Roman Catholic Church gave them these options: con- vert, leave the country, or die. Hundreds of Jews in metro Detroit experienced these historical events last weekend when they traveled back through time to learn about the Sephardim. Sephardim are Jews from Spain, Africa and Arab countries. The event, sponsored by Jewish Experience For Families (JEFF), The Detroit Jewish News, the Jewish Community Center and the Sephardic Community of Greater Detroit, was titled: "From Routes to Roots: The Great Sephardic Journey." On Jan. 31, Jewish fam- ilies — Sephardic and oth- ers — came to the Jimmy Prentis Morris Jewish Community Center where they ate Sephardic food, listened to Sephardic music, and wore colorful clothing typical of wealthi- er Sephardim living in Spain during the 13th cen- tury. Information and activity booklets, in English and Russian, were distributed to partici- pants. These modern-day Det- roit area Jews came to understand how Sephardic culture survived centuries of attempts to wipe it out. One room of the build- ing was converted into a "basement." Here, mem- bers of B'nei Akiva youth group described how the Sephardim conducted secret Shabbat ceremonies during the Inquisition. Other Jews converted to Christianity to survive. Some converted only in name. On Shabbat and other holidays, these Jews risked their lives to con- gregrate in neighbors' basements to carry on their faith. "They would be Chris- tians on the outside, but Jews on the inside," said Jay Wolf, a youth group 4 member. Jews who were forced to convert, but practiced secretly, called themselves conversos. Inquisitors called them marranos, (swine). When caught practicing Judaism, the 4 conversos were often ban- ished or killed. "I think (conversos) are important to us because they were thinking about people like us today," said Geoff Dworkin, another 4 youth group member. "They risked their lives for Jews today. In a sense, they saved Judaism." Those who fled Spain, and later Portugal, started Jewish communities -4 throughout the Ottoman Empire (including Istan- bul, Izmir, Corfu), north- ern Africa (including Algiers and Tunisia), the Roman Empire, and other areas. They spanned three continents and have car- ried on their traditions to this day. Salonica, Greece, be- 4.1 came known as "the Jerusalem of the Balkans" for its many Sephardic yeshivot. Sunday's event was a 4 success, according to J.E.F.F. Program Coor- dinator Julia Bitton. "One of the nicest things is the educational process," she said. "People are being educated about Sephardic Jews of today and in the past." Trying his hand at jug- gling during "The Golden Age of Spain," little Elliot Resnick, who attended the event with his mother, agreed with Ms. Bitton. "My mother is Sephardic and I wanted to see my background," he said. ❑ • Feb. 7 Memorial For Rabbi Levin A memorial service one year after the death of Rabbi Leizer Levin will be held 8 p.m. Feb. 7 at Congregation Dovid Ben Nuchim. Among the speakers at the service will be his son, Rabbi Avrohom Chaim Levin.