0 oit 4 REACHING FOR HOPE page 7 like home to Ms. Seglin. A native of New Jersey, she grew up at- tending a temple where her mother served as executive di- rector. "My mother told me, Vew- ish education is] a very rewarding career. They buy your soul, your life, your free time and any oth- er time you may have.' She was "You really can't conquer a whole lot more than the basics before you're an adult." right, and I love it." Before coming to Detroit last summer, Ms. Seglin spent more than 25 years working in Jewish education. Her past positions in- clude a 15-year stint at Temple Emanuel in Beverly Hills, Calif., in which "the entire synagogue was in some way or another con- nected to the entertainment in- dustry." Despite their often chaotic schedules, the child stars at Tem- ple Emanuel still made time for Hebrew school. "They managed to work their religious school in better than their public school scheduling," Ms. Seglin said. "And they liked coming because it was the one place they could socialize and be normal kids." Among her students were El- liott Gould and Barbra Streisand's son and five of Bob Dylan's chil- dren. "The good part is no one cared because they all were [celebrities], so it wasn't really a prestige issue," Ms. Seglin said. In addition to educating child stars and the children of stars, Ms. Seglin had the opportunity to assist with casting. "[Steven] Spielberg, who wanted inexperi- enced kids, used to use the reli- gious school all the time for finding kids," she recalled. While Bloomfield Hills may not be as glamorous as Beverly . Hills, Ms. Seglin says she is im- pressed by its community spir- it. "I've never seen so many active, involved volunteers — not just at Beth El, but the whole Bloomfield Hills community," she said. "It goes beyond the re- quirements of doing a mitzvah— they're into it." And while Motown is not Tin- seltown, Ms. Seglin is getting plenty of stimulation from her work. "As tired as I am on a Wednesday night when I go to teach adult education courses, I'm exhilarated afterward," she said. ❑ The Play's The Thing Hillel seventh-graders steal the show in Hebrew. JULIE WIENER STAFF WRITER I is a story that has been trans- lated from Hebrew to English and now back to Hebrew. Next week, after three months of rehearsals, the sev- enth-grade class at Hillel Day School will present Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream- coat. It may be difficult for most of the audience to sing along with the three Josephs and scores of performers: The entire play will be in Hebrew. At dress rehearsal this week, the scene is comfortable chaos. Seventh-graders are perfecting dance steps, finalizing lines, run- ning frantically around the gym and trying not to trip over their long robes and Egyptian head- dresses. The three Hebrew teachers are calling out orders, while par- ent/alum/volunteer pianist Mar- ty Leibman pounds out the Andrew Lloyd Weber tunes. "It's been a lot of hard work, but the play's going to be really good," said Dena Roth, one of the student directors. The first-time special moment director said she is respon- sible for "mak- ing sure people are where they're sup- posed to be." Bradley Schwartz, who plays the young Joseph, said this is not his first acting role, but it's the first one in Hebrew. Beals, Jessica Sherman and Jody Friedman are three of "Since I've Jodi the play's narrators. been here for so many years, [performing in Hebrew] is not and adapted the play, working that hard, but there are some from Israeli and Camp Ramah parts that are hard about it," he versions. To ensure enough parts for the said. For the eighth year in a row 70 students participating, they Hillel's seventh-graders are per- created some new roles and di- forming a Hebrew play, under vided existing roles, such as the guidance of seventh-grade Joseph, into several parts. They Hebrew teachers Ella Moskovitz, also adapted the translation to Daphna Feldman and Pnina fit the students' vocabularies. The teachers view the play as Basse. The teachers translated patagonia® and EX OFFICIO' Comfortable, Elastic-Back Waistband Reinforced Bar Tack Belt Loops Hand Pockets Hook & Loop Closed Key Pocket Front Pleats Hidden Passport Pocket w/ Hook & Loop Closure Full-Button Front A sparkling diamond engageMent ring from Tapper's exquisitely set in platinum is the perfect way to say "I love you". EX OFFICIO® ADVENTURE SKIRT ADVENTURE WEAR Full Line Of Summer Clothing Made Especially For Women "Great for Summer Travel" *err Diamonds /th/Fine Jewelry Orchard Mall . Orchard Lake Road at Maple Road West Bloomfield, Ml 48322 810-932-7700 . 1-800-337-G1FT the yachtsman Michigan's largest selection of Patagonia apparel. 4316 N. Woodward Ave . • South of 14 Mile Road (248) 549-5070