Che 13,r/th clioundation ( GROWING ofthe (United 33tates some said. They were at the polls, passing out literature no matter what. And the thrill of working on a winning campaign never died. Members extrapolated other tangible skills from their days as members of the group of young Democrats. Ms. Konstant can still stamp and seal envelopes faster than anyone she knows. The group could address as many as 30,000 envelopes in 10 days. Each of the members at last week's meeting recalls different experiences. The Northwest De- troit Teen Democrats "gave me a sense of enthusiasm," Jan Goldman Brody said. "I felt good about being a part of something worthwhile." Barry Lepler, the catalyst be- hind the upcoming reunion, said the teens were a unique group that got excited about politics. "The candidates came to us for help. We were manpower," said Mr. Lepler, now a teacher who is still active in the Demo- cratic Party. Next month he will be a delegate at the Democratic Convention in Chicago. "I remember it being so excit- ing," he said. "At the time, we thought political candidates were like movie stars." Merton J. Segal &uardia- n f the GClenarah Award winner honoring 03cg- al c/Ceirton Chairman & CEO Meadowbrook Insurance Group, Inc. Sunday evening July 28, 1996 6:00 p.m. page 8 The calendar signals the beginning of a new era at Michigan's oldest Jewish congregation. PHIL JACOBS EDITOR Guest Speaker Marvin Novick Dinner Chairman • $150 per person $1500 per table of ten ■ ■ All proceeds from this event will benefit the youth-serving agencies and humanitarian programs of B'nai B'rith ■ ■ Please call B'nai B'rith for information about dinner reservations (810) 855-5255 • • RabbiDaniel Syme: He's been ready. Internet Connection .... Lowest- Movlikiy Rates ih Nle-hAo Detroit! Advertise in our new Entertainment Section! Call Robin Magness (810) 354-7123 Ext. 209 10 THE JEWISH NEWS D Members of the Northwest Detroit Teen Democrats are looking for former members. Call Barry Leirler at (810) 399-2150. July 1 At Beth El Temple Beth El 7400 Telegraph Road Bloomfield Hills Rabbi Daniel B. Syme ■ Mr. Weiss came to Detroit from Hungary in 1957 after the Hungarian Revolution. He couldn't speak English, and he didn't know anything about U.S. politics. Ultimately, he got involved in the group through his summer-school teacher, Jack Faxon. Mr. Weiss became a cit- izen while he was active in the teen Dams group. "Everyone dragged someone in," Mr. Weiss said. "When I was a kid, it seemed like everyone was a Democrat," said Richard Merson, who last week was greeted by a series of "Oh, my Gods" by former class- mate Jan Goldman Brody. The two had not seen each other since high school. "I think if I grew up in a Re- publican neighborhood, I would have been a teen Republican," Dr. Merson said. "I always loved history. There is a strong con- nection between what happens in politics and history." Li 12.50 pev rnohi-11 Mhl imited Time 1 Call (810) 334-5492 Synagogues: call us for your free account! SpeedLink •• "1.1,•• •I I N• c F or movie goers, mention July 4 this year, and the words Independence Day, with its excitement, drama and chaos, seem to click in automati- cally. Over at Temple Beth El, men- tion July 1 and there's also a sense of excitement, as well as plenty of drama. The chaos that this 1,500-family Bloomfield Township congregation lived through during the past year could have been inspiration for any screenplay writer. Instead, on a Monday afternoon in early July, Rabbi Daniel Syme is showing off a photograph of the Beth El summer camp in which kids are munching on ice cream with the Good Humor man. The following day, the Beth El staff surprised congregational educa- tor Joyce Seglin with a birthday cake and the traditional "Happy Birthday" song. A birthday cake and a photo of the Good Humor man. This was exactly the message that Rabbi Syme wanted to bring to his new congregation. There was no talk of divisiveness and not a mention of the controversies that so divid- ed this temple. Walking through these same airy hallways of the Bloomfield Township synagogue a year ago, it didn't take much for even an outsider to feel a certain level of stress. The temple's Rabbi Daniel Polish was on a forced, one-year paid sabbatical. His contract would not be renewed and would expire as of July 1, 1996. His wife, Gail Hirschenfang, the temple's cantor, would also leave as of July 1. The handling of the couple's fu- ture, as well as the future of Beth El, was debated, often bitterly, by JULY 1 page 12