i L PHOTO BY DANIEL UPPITY It Was A Cold, Dark Simchah Without electricity or heat, Adat Shalom's b'not mitzvah persevere. LYNNE MEREDITH COHN STAFF WRITER B eing nervous about reading from the Torah was not the first thing on Randi Jaffa's mind last Shabbat. Staying warm was more likely the priority. Despite the fact that a March 13 ice storm knocked out most of the electricity at Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farming- ton Hills, Ms. Jaffa and Annie Lieberman delivered their Torah and Haftorah por- tions without a hitch — albeit bundled head-to-toe in layers of clothing and coats. The shul was without most of its elec- tricity, using portable generators to par- tially light and heat parts of the massive building, according to Rabbi Efry Spectre. "Everybody worked very hard to make it a real simchah for the two young women," said the rabbi. 'There was very good decorum in the congregation. You could hear a pin drop during the Torah reading and the Haftorah. Everybody was listening very carefully, even with the cold." it Cracking a few ice-inspired jokes, the rabbi told the congregation, "I don't think you're going to fall asleep during my ser- mon." Toward the end of the service, `The light broke through the clouds. Everybody was delighted — they could see much clearer," said Rabbi Spectre. The eternal light, although electric, was dimly lit, the rabbi said. The Jaffa family awoke at 4 a.m. Friday to find its home was also in the dark. With hours to go until the bat mitzvah, the West Bloomfield family packed suitcases to stay at a friend's house. "We had out-of-towners coming in from California, Florida, New York, Pittsburgh, and we were concerned that they could get in, concerned what they were coming to," said Sandra Jaffa, mother of the bat mitz- vah. In the cold, dark synagogue, the Jaffas posed for photographs Friday afternoon Despite a loss of electricity, the bat mitzvah of Randi Jaffa (center, with parents Jonathan and Sandra) went off without a hitch, thanks to portable generators and candlelight. and gathered with family and friends that night for Shabbat dinner after services, said Mrs. Jaffa. An "overflow crowd" packed into the small chapel for Friday night services, which Mrs. Jaffa called "cozy because it was a nice, big crowd." Shabbat morning, congregants "did a double take" when they arrived for ser- vices, said Mrs. Jaffa. "But they came in and everybody stayed, the synagogue was full, people were quiet, paid attention to services, listened. Everybody stayed bun- dled in coats, and they never left." The Jaffas' Saturday night party was also at Adat Shalom, without heat or light, but party planner Susie Graham brought in a generator and lit the room with can- dles, said Mrs. Jaffa. "When bad things happen, there are wonderful things that also happen, and one of the most wonderful things is the re- minder that we have such wonderful friends and family," she said, noting that 10 people offered their homes to the Jaffa family. Accompanying Randi on the bimah were her father, Jonathan, and 16-year-old sis- ter, Miriam, who read portions. "The day didn't go exactly the way we wanted it to go, but it was a special day," said Mrs. Jaf- fa. The Lieberman family was unavailable for comment. 0 ALL MY SENSES ARE PLEASED Never settle for anything less... TOP•GRADE LEATHER STARTINGRGRADE PRICE! 3-Piece Premium Leather Sectional '299 List Price 56836 SIX COLORS 1N-STOCK! Or... Choose from 40 Other Colors at Unbelievable Savings! This sleek sectional is covered in the finest, glove soft, premium-quality leather available today, and while quantities last, it can be yours for an unbelievable price! Choose from six fashionable colors, In stock! Hurry, this is a limited time offer, when they're gone...they're gone! - hillside LEONI LEATHER GALLERY Woodward Ave. © Square Lk. Rd. (810) 334-4745 Mon, & Thur, 10-8:30 • Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat, 10-5:30 • Sun, Noon-5 *Offer good only while supplies last. Cannot be combined with any other promotion. COMPAiVY DAI(gTA THE O CC'''' thelboAraiWaik Orchard Lake Rd. • W. Bloomfield 810.626.9110