PARENTING

From the JCC Discovery
Room to the neighborhood
park, grandparents and
grandchildren can share

many adventures together.

JENNIFER FINER STAFF WRITER

Grand Activiti

oyce Weckstein, known
as safta to three-year-old
Gabriel Pachter, spends two
days a week with her grand-
son.
They usually go to the
Jewish Community Center
to spend time at Gabriel's fa-
vorite place — the Discovery
Room. This hands-on room is a
mini-museum where children
(and adults) can immerse them-
selves in Jewish history, customs
and values.
In the museum, children can
build their own version of
Jerusalem and leave messages
in the "kotel." There is also a Jew-
ish home and miniature model
synagogue.
"Ws the most wonderful hands-

Jill

on experience," Mrs. Weckstein
said. "I can go to activities
with him and take part, or I can
stand back and watch him. We
can dig for treasures in the sand
or dress Barbie and Ken for syn-
agogue."
Some days are spent playing in
the Center's gym, reading books
in the library or taking hikes be-
hind the JCC. Sometimes four-
month-old grandson Jonathan
Pachter comes along, too.
"I've deliberately geared the
Discovery Room so that the
adults can become the teacher
even if they don't have a strong
Jewish background," said Cheryl
Kane, who heads the room.
"Everything is geared for the
child to learn and have fun. There

are grandparents who come here
with their grandchildren on a
weekly basis."
Whether it is the Discovery
Room or something else, there
are many activities that are suit-
able for grandparents and their
grandchildren.
Some grandparents say they
spend an afternoon at the movies
or out in the park.
Estelle and Lou Hyman of
West Bloomfield, also take their
grandchildren, they have six, to
the Center. There they either see
a play or use some of the facilities
like the pool.
"We enjoy spending time with
them and we want them to know
they have grandparents who care
about them," Mrs. Hyman said.
Sometimes the Hymans stop
by to take their grandchildren out
for frozen yogurt, shopping or a
play.
Their grandchildren also ap-
preciate the time they get to
spend together.
"My grandparents are always
there for us," said 13-year-old
Lauren Kovacs. "It is always fun
when they take us places. I like
spending time with them."

Activities for Grandparents
and Grandchildren:
*Fresh Air Society's Bubbie
and Zayde Kinder Camp. Camp
runs two or three weekends a
summer for grandparents and
grandchildren. Activities include

Gabriel Pachter and Joyce
Weckstein build Jerusalem.

Below: Three generations of
discovery: Naomi Weckstein,
Gabriel Pachter and Joyce
Weckstein.

a Kabbalat Shabbat, arts and
crafts, fishing, boating and guest
speakers for the adults. 661-0600.
*The Discovery Room at the
Maple/Drake Jewish Communi-
ty Center is a hands-on mini mu-
seum where children and their
parents or grandparents can
have fun learning about Judaism.
The museum is open Sunday
through Thursday but hours
vary. 661-7646.
*The Vollbrecht Planetarium
at Adler Elementary School, in
Southfield, has its fall line-up in
place. Shows include: "Where Am
I?," an illustrated discussion
about the location of the earth in
the atmosphere and "Shhhhh!"
an illustrated star show with
classical music. "Where am I?"
takes place on Monday,. Septem-
ber 26 and "Shhhhh!" is on No-
vember 7. Arrangements can be
made through Southfield Com-
munity Education. 746-8700.
*Check out a local museum.
There are plenty that are geared
for children.
The Ann Arbor Hands-On Mu-
seum offers four floors of hands-
on activities including a flyable
mini hot air balloon and a robot-
ic arm that can be controlled.
Hours and prices Nary. Admis-
sion is $2.50 for seniors and chil-
dren over three. Children under
three are admitted for free. (313)
995-5439.
The Children's Museum in

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