CAMP YOUNG JUDAEA-MIDWEST announces The Opening Of A Satellite Office In Ann Arbor Camp Young Judaea-Midwest is part of Young Judaea, sponsored by Hadassah. The Camp Serves Children Entering 3rd-9th Grade ,toUN C 4 For more information contact: Abby Levine, Director c/o Camp Young Judaea-Midwest 308 1/2 State Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104 313-994-5990 KNOWS BEST page 6 The thought of women ex- celling and winning gold medals for basketball and soc- cer, before a mesmerized TV audience of billions, would have been considered pure fan- tasy by society when I was Maya's age. Thinking of this not-so-long ago journey of 30+ years re- minded me of how far women have come, not only in sports but in Jewish organizational life, as well. Most importantly, I recall the role my parents played in supporting a new re- ality for women that did not exist for prior generations. In 1969, when I was in the VMV45: 54iNP.4! VEStgamitedb:Nikemielianug: '"IRAMATASSig The ABILITIES CENTER, INC. AMallsk:k 9% Occupational and Physical Therapy for Children Handwriting • Sensory Integration • Groups 5600 W. Maple, Suite C.304 West Bloomfield, MI 48322 Nikki jRosen•Librman (810) 855-0030 Jill D. Spolojny tint lla Planning SYSTEMATIC INVESTING Invest in the market for as little as $25.00 per month. For details and a free investors guide please call Michael H. Delap Phone: (810) 452 5690 • Fax: (810) 452 5688 - - QUEST CAPITAL STRATEGIES, INC 7 W. Square Lake Rd., Suite 150 Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48302 - Member: NASD, SIPC, & MSRB All accounts are carried with National Financial Services, A Fidelity Investment Co. jew FUN • SPORTS • GAMES Ages: 3 to Adult For Kids MP' tr. Ask about: • Popcorn • Cotton Candy • Sno Cones • Kid Fit Party 3-10 yrs. • Super Sloppy Slimy Party 5-Adult • Wacy Olympic Dreams 5-Adult • Hip Hop Sports N' Games 6-15 Yrs. • Quest Master Party 8-Adult 1-800-474-2244 HAVE A BLAST WITH US! fourth grade, I wanted to play team sports like the boys. However, in 1969 there were no organized team sports for girls. Sparked by the obvious injustice of such an unequal re- ality, I told my parents that I wanted to start a girls' softball team. My parents were wise. Although they had never seen a girls' team, they supported and encouraged me to pursue my idea. Consequently, I sent home permission slips with all the fourth-grade girls in my school, inviting them to join the new team. Fifteen girls showed up the next day for practice. That day, a new reali- ty was created for those girls that did not exist for their mothers. Perhaps not by coincidence, during the same year I faced another barrier — this time as a Jewish girl. I was keenly aware that the boys attended synagogue school twice a week, and the girls only once a week, because the boys were preparing to become b'nai mitzvah. I knew that no com- parable ritual marking a rela- tionship between the child and the Torah existed for girls. I wanted to have a bat mitzvah even though I knew that my mother, grandmother, great- grandmother and any girl who attended my synagogue up to that point were not included in this important rite of passage. Once again, when I approached my par- ents with my desire to have a bat mitz- vah, they supported and encouraged me to pursue iffy dream. With their help, four years later on my 13th birthday I became a bat mitzvah. My daughter can now aspire toward being one of the world's best soccer players. Similarly, if she desires to do so, Maya can aspire to be the rabbi of a congregation or write responsa that change Jewish history. Watching those women play with intensity and elegance re- minded me how our children's struggle will revolve around being the very best and con- tributing in ways that have never been part of the prior generations' experience. My mother and father knew best when to support and allow me to pursue new realities.,I can only hope to be as wise. Shawn Locke is the director of school services at the Agency for Jewish Education.