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Calendar
August 6- September 7
Sunday, August 6
The Leadership Network of B'nai B'rith
will hold its first fund-raiser of the year, a
9-pin no tap bowlarama. Noon at
Drakeshire Lanes in Farmington Hills.
Call (810) 669-2152 by July 29. There is
a $15 charge, which includes three
games, shoes and food.
Above: Tel Aviv party-goers, Ethiopian olim,
mingle outside a reggae club.
Saturday, August 12
The Leadership Network of B'nai B'rith
will host its Summer Jazz Party. 8:30
p.m. at the Village Green Clubhouse in
Southfield. There is a $15 charge for
non-members and a $10 charge for
members. Call (810) 681-0492 or (810)
642-5585.
Above right: Inside the club, dancers bob
and groove to reggae.
child together. But maybe they
Right: An older crowd is no less lively
aren't ready to get married."
than the younger celebrants.
Mr. Bacher says Israelis are
not as leery about strangers as
,
-411.1111111
Americans. Urban-esque cau-
tion, so typical of U.S. metro-
sipping soup in a small cafe, prefers Amer-
politan dwellers, gives way to an openness ican girls.
in Tel Aviv and elsewhere throughout the
"The Israeli woman — she comes from
country.
the army. She's a little bit strong," he ex-
Strolling at a quick clip down Dizengoff, plains. "American is better I think. Yes, I
Mr. Bacher points to groups — not gangs — think so. The American girl is nice to talk
of young people milling around eyeing to. She is a gentleman."
passersby. Approaching an unknown isn't
Blind dates are common for people over
unheard of.
"When I see some woman, I go up and in- .1 30, but not younger than that. Twenty-some
troduce myself. It just happens," says Ilan - -thing adults sometimes meet during mili-
tary service. Others cross paths in college.
Weisman, 23, from Netanya.
The weirdo factor pales in comparison to The streets of Tel Aviv suit many, but not
all, secular Israelis in search of action. The
the United States, says Mr. Bacher.
"In America, people are sometimes afraid smaller, more intimate bars and cafes fare
to talk to you because they think you might better than larger venues. Most Israelis don't
be cuckoo. I don't think there are so many like spacious places to party — those are for
crazy people here as there are in America. tourists, Mr. Bacher says.
Outdoor activities also are popular — at
We have too many other problems here to
the beach, for instance. Independence Park
be crazy," he says.
Nevertheless, the Israeli social circuit is in Tel Aviv has become a special hangout
marred with gender stigmas. Guys, sup- for gays and lesbians.
All in all, existence for the single person
posedly, are too macho. The girls, it seems,
are too tough. The men are selfish. The in Israel isn't too far removed from what it's
women are impervious to flirts and dis- like for red, white and blue, very blue, yes
bliiP desperados in America. Yet,
dainful of aggressive males. Avi Rubenstein,
the partying appears heartier in the Holy
Land, even though the drinking seems less.
A pet dog, resigned to waiting, sits out-
side a busy 24-hour grocery store while his
owner purchases food past midnight. At a
pub just down the street, adults in their ear-
ly 40s and 50s sing and dance while an ac-
cordionist plays Israeli folk tunes from his
perch on a small wooden stage.
A middle-aged woman dressed in black
spandex balances on her chair and pivots to
the music. Others follow her example. Wait-
resses, carrying food and pitchers of drinks
and looking rushed, worn-out and irritated,
elbow their way through the noisy, undu-
lating crowd.
The streets of Tel Aviv aren't just for the
Next Generation. Thirty-seven year old An-
tonio Tony, an Israeli, steps out of the pub
for a quick breath of still hot and humid —
but refreshing— night sir. Mr. Tony, flying
solo tonight, makes a practice of painting
the town at least three times a week.
"My wife doesn't care if I go out," he says.
"She cares if I don't come back. That's the
life in Israel." ❑
Monday, August 14
Hillel of Metropolitan Detroit is hosting a
coffee night at the Lonestar Coffee Co.,
in Birmingham. 9 p.m. Call (313) 577-
3459.
Tuesday, August 29
The Young Adult Division of the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit is
sponsoring a cruise on the Diamond
Belle River Boat. Boarding is at 7 p.m.
and the cruise is from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
There is a $15 charge. Call (810) 542-
4260, Ext. 239.
Thursday, September 7
The Metro Detroit Hadassah chapter of
Ruach is sponsoring an opening event
with dinner and a local "Young Rabbis"
panel discussion on the role of young
Jewish women in the 1990s. The event
starts at 7 p.m. For more information,
call Kari Provizer at (810) 851-4993 or
Julie Sturman at (810) 855-3922.
Do you have an item. for our
young adult /singles calen-
dar? Send it to Jennifer Finer
at The Jewish News
27676 Franklin Rd.
Southfield, Ml 48034