Our Biggest Sale Of The Year! 2 Days Only! Saturday, June 29th and Sunday, June 30th, 10am ID 6pm, Both Days, Rain or Shine! Amir was indecisive, so he let his BBYO regional director place an ad with the national BBYO of- fice in Washington, D.C. The No- lishes, whose son and daughter are members of BBYO chapters, eventually came across the ad in the monthly Michigan Region newsletter. "We had an exchange student before, and it was a good experi- ence," says Judy Nolish. "So we called (Michigan BBYO Director) Arnie Weiner immediately to let him know we were interested." The Nolishes and Amir were soon a match. Amir successfully completed the necessary student- exchange tests and was accepted into Berkley High School as a ju- nior. Studying English was a re- quirement in grades five-13 in (West) Berlin, says Amir. Still, even with five years under his belt, almost all Amir's English — including the occasional Ameri- can slang — was quickly picked up in America. As a result, he felt comfortable getting involved in several ex- tracurricular activities. At Berkley, he was cited for his par- ticipation on the Holocaust Re- membrance Committee. Last winter, after encouragement from his weight-training coach, he joined the junior varsity wrestling team in the 145-pound weight class. "The practice was hard, but the meets were a lot of fun," he laughs. "I can't remember my individual record, but the team won a lot." Amir's devotion to BBYO has also persisted. Last summer he attended the International Lead- ership Training Conference (ILTC) in Starlight, Pa., where he became friends with Greg Fine- good, the Michigan Region trea- surer and past president of Marx AZA. Greg convinced Amir to join Marx, a decision which he did not regret. Amir quickly became an active member of what he refers to as "the greatest chapter in the world." His West German lifestyle, ac- cording to Amir, wasn't much dif- ferent from that of an American teen-ager. "When the (Berlin) wall was put up, America supported West Berlin and put a lot of mon- ey into it," Amir says. "So every- thing became Americanized. We have a McDonald's and Burger King. Our German TV shows, like "Jeopardy" and "Married with Children," are really American shows. I didn't realize that until I came here." Among the noticeable differ- ences is the food, says Amir. The average American teen-ager wouldn't list sauerkraut as a fa- vorite nosh, while stuffed-crust pizza with the works isn't too pop- ular in Germany. Amir's favorite American food is Twizzlers; he's taking cases of the flavored licorice sticks back home with him. German teen-agers, Amir says, are a little more "on the edge." Al- cohol is more preValent because of the lower drinking age (16 for beer and 18 for hard liquor), and it's not unusual for teens to spend the entire weekend at techno clubs using easily available drugs like Ecstacy and speed. It's a sharp contrast to the laid- back nature of Michigan hangouts like coffeehouses and movie the- aters, which is fine with Amir. The Nolishes' suburban lifestyle, in fact, is one of the things Amir likes best about Michigan. He also likes the people he's met. "The teens are more open; I feel like they care here," he says. "Unlike in Germany, you can just go up to any person and talk." Fortunately, anti-Semitism hasn't been a problem in the States either. Amir first noticed the dissimilarity with his home- land while attending High Holi- day services at Temple Emanu-El in Oak Park. "In Germany, tanks are parked in front of synagogues on the High Holidays. There's only water in them, but we need them there anyway because of all the bomb threats. The Jewish community is much more secure here." Despite this, Amir says that Jewish people in Germany are generally more observant of Ju- daism's traditions. "I wasn't used to the sexes sitting together and a female rabbi (Rabbi Amy Brod- sky)," says Amir, who considers himself "Conserva-dox." He re- ceived further introduction to the practices of Reform Judaism in America attending Temple Emanu-El's Monday night school. After Amir travels through America and Canada with his German family, he will go back to Berlin and resume his studies at the American John F. Kennedy High School. Eventually, he hopes to live in Israel with his extended family and study economics. His interest in economics stems from the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. "I would rather have it back up," says Amir. "It completely de- stroyed the German economy. (The former) East Berlin was so far behind before, and now it's al- most equal to (the former) West Berlin. But they (the East Ger- mans) can't handle the choice and the freedom. I remember when it (the wall) first came down. The people from the East moved to the West because they thought it would go back up again." Amir has also witnessed the ef- fects of economics in America. Earlier this year, a girl he met at ILTC sent him a ticket to Los An- geles so he could escort her to her senior prom. He and the Nolish- es have also traveled to New York, Washington D.C, and Orlando. '1 loved Disney World," he says, smiling. "It is really the American way of living. I think the line was invented there because we wait- ed in a lot of them. It's one big money machine." El Save up to 70% off everything in the tent! Outside in the Tent- choose from hundreds of quality showroom samples that have just arrived from the Southern Furniture Showrooms. Here's a sample of the hundreds of items on sale! All in-the-tent merchandise must be paid in full at time of purchase. Absolutely No Layaways. Genuine leather EVERYWHERE! You've seen this advertised all over town... but NEVER at this price! In stock. Available in three colors, black, light beige or dark green. • LOVESEAT 5-pc. modular group as shown SALE 29999 Ottoman optional Available in stock in black, forest green or burgundy durable cotton sailcloth. SALE $77999 Limited number in-stock for pick up at the warehouse or delivery available. Rainchecks will be made available in case of sell-out for this item only. eramm:rovwwwm m*:00:::av- 71" BLACK OR WHITE FINISH Reg. '115 SALE $6999 71" BLACK NICKEL OR POLISHED BRASS FINISH , Reg. '135 SALE $7999 Reg. 51175 Reg. 5999 Reg. '600 SALE $34999 SALE '29999 SALE $ 36999 FOUR TRUCKLOADS OF SHOWROOM SAMPLES: Sofas, Sectionals, Occasional Chairs. All one of a kind! All at up to 70% OFF manufacturers suggested retail prices! 5 pc. set Inside the store SAVE AN EXTRA 10% OFF PLUS EITHER NO SALES TAX OR 12 MONTHS INTEREST FREE!* EVERY SECTIONAL • EVERY DINETTE EVERY SOFA • ALL LEATHER UPHOLSTERY EVERY BEDROOM • EVERY CHAIR EVERY HOME OFFICE • ALL LAMPS EVERY DINING ROOM • EVERY WALL UNIT ALL ACCESSORIES! Any piece of unassembled Teehline is available at 40070 Off, Plus an EXTRA 10% OFF Plus the No Tax or Financing Offer!' All merchandise will be available unassembled at our warehouse in late July. Sorry, previous orders do not apply. hillside Woodward Ave. @ Square Lake Road in Kingswood Square (810) 334-4745 *Minimum purchase $399 to qualify for additional discounts. Percent off MSRP.