an
n't Invited

High-spirited Purim festivities
fostered good will and good times.

RUTH LITTPAANN STAFF WRITER

New American
teen-agers say they
enjoy social forums.
Pictured above:
Eugene Murtazin, Anna
Sobolev, Ella Rakitin,
Zoya Shimiyeva.

Zoya Shimiyeva, 18,
jams to music at the
JEFF-sponsored Purim
dance for new
American teen-agers.

athologist Dan Snow-
er, 35, is single and new
to town. On Sunday, he
arrived at the Agency
for Jewish Education
with a two-pronged goal: to
prepare shalach manot with
other Purim Parcel Project vol-
unteers and to "meet women."
The Great Purim Parcel Pro-
ject is an annual community-
wide event sponsored by
Jewish Experiences For Fam-
ilies, in conjunction this year
with the Jewish Federation's
Young Adult Division and The
Jewish News.
Volunteers for the project ob-
serve the tradition of preparing
and delivering shalach manot
— parcels of hamantaschen,

kicked-off a new American
nuts, fruits and
chapter of the B'nai B'rith
other Purim nosh.
Youth Organization (BBYO).
As in years past,
Earlier this year, Sue Stet-
Great Purim Par-
tner and Ellie Slovis of JEFF
cel Project volun-
met with Russian students at
teers delivered
Berkley High School. The teen-
the packages to
agers expressed interest in
Jewish elderly,
starting a youth group ex-
recent emigres
pressly for emigres.
and other new-
Although fewer teen-agers
comers to Detroit.
than expected attended the
Dr. Snower
Purim dance at the JCC, those
achieved his first
who came said they had a great
goal by assem-
bling a colorful
bevy of goody-
bags. But, alas, he was stuck
with ninth-grade girls, also bag-
ging the treats.
"It was too intimidating,"
laughed the pathologist, who
said he was overwhelmed by
high-school chatter and girl
talk. "I got transferred to a dif-
ferent table where I counted
parcels — a real low-level ac-
tivity."
Good will and high spirits
prevailed as hundreds of local
Jews prepared more than 1,000
Right: Jay Dubrinsky
shalach manot packages dur-
posed as Queen
ing the activity. Children from
Esther next to Sheryl
nursery and religious schools,
Berger, disguised as
youth groups and Hebrew day
Mordechai.
schools also participated.
"The time and attention
Below. Volunteers for
spent on the parcels were so
the Great Purim Parcel
wonderful," said Julia Green-
Project assemble sha-
blatt, associate with JEFF.
lach manot
Some who did not lend a
hand gave money. Volunteer
Scott Eisenberg, along with his
wife, Mindy, and 8-month-old
daughter, Julia, were staked
out at the Maple-Drake Jewish
Community Center collecting
parcels for distribution. As
passersby learned about the
project, they pitched in cash
amounting to $40. JEFF will
donate the tzedakah to Yad
Ezra, the kosher food pantry.
Everywhere, bad moods and
ill-will went the way of Haman.
At the Oak Park JCC, 15 young
Russians danced to rap and pop
music at another Purim gala
sponsored by JEFF. The event

time. Breathless from cutting
the rug to radio tunes, Zoya
Shimiyeva, 18, said she loved
the event and looks forward to
more social occasions.
Her friend, Kate Goldberg,
14, agreed.
"We don't have at school
many parties we can go to,"
Kate said. "Russian teen-agers
are shyer."
Said Zoya about the JCC fes-
tivity: "It's great having these
parties."

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