boss told me openly that I would never advance as long as she was there, because I'm a Jew." In 1991, when Kogan's youngest daughter went to college, Kogan went to school. "I only had a Russian education, -end ) wanted an American one," she says. "I was also bored and needed to make a living." She started at Oakland Community College, to see if she could do it. Kogan pulled off straight A's. After graduating from the Universi- ty of Michigan-Dearborn in 1995, she enrolled in Project STaR (Service, Training and Research in Jewish Corn- unal Service) at the University of ichigan School of Social Work. She finished up there in June, with a mas- ter's degree in social work. Many of the new Americans are in, or near, their 80s, Kogan notes. "It's a very difficult decision to make to leave home," she says. "Jews have a history of sitting and waiting — hoping things will get better. Well, the longer they waited, the older they 7- got." Kogan wanted to work with the new Americans once she finished school. She started two committees, one made up of new Americans, the other comprised of American-born residents. "She did it to deal with the misun- derstandings that the two groups may '-a.ve," Teitel's Building Administrator 'Penny Feldman says. "Both groups are finding out that it's a cultural differ- ence between them." Feldman believes the onegs serve to unite the residents. "We started with half a dozen peo- ple there, and now it's close to 100," she says. "The residents love it, and it makes Friday evenings special. It's very filming." "I don't have a lot of time to do therapy with the residents," Kogan says. "I thought the prayers would be something to unite everyone." Kogan sings the prayers in Hebrew and then repeats them in English and Russian. Running the oneg is nothing new for Kogan. During school at U-M /-.dearborn, she began leading prayer ser- vices at the Jimmy Prentis Morris JCC. "Another reason I keep doing the prayers is because it is very therapeu- tic. They say they sleep better at night," she explains. "Spirituality helps them get better. Prayer dissolves a lot of the anger they have." ❑ There's so much happening at Shaarey Zedek's Applebaum Jewish Parenting Center Music & Movement Woodworking with Abba Music class for moms and babies 3 months and older. 10 week class beginning on Monday, January 12 or Friday, January 16. Class for dads and 3-6 year old children. 3 week class beginning Sunday, January 11. Mensch Making (S T E P ) For parents of pre-schoolers. Why children misbehave and techniques to help solve these problems. 8 week class beginning Tuesday, January 13. Infant Massage An effective way to communicate with your baby. For babies birth through 7 months. 3 week class beginning Monday, January 12. Mensch Making (S T E P ) For parents of elementary age children. New approaches with issues such as homework, friendships, and independent thinking. 8 week class beginning Wednesday, January 14. Kitchen Table A chat group for moms and babies. Birth through 15 months. 10 week class beginning Wednesday, January 14. Challah Days Make and take a challah that you can bake at home for a wonderful Shabbat experience. 52.50 per pound of dough. Pre-ordering and payment required by January 12. Friday, January 16. Baby Gym Gym class for moms and babies 3-17 months. Classes will run on Fridays, beginning January 16. For More Information on Parenting Center Programs, Please contact Janet Pont (248) 681-5353 Fax: (248) 681-4251 E Mail: jpc@shaareyzedek.org SPERBER'S "000H ," • "AAAllill "I Want More! Did ou tast is is fantastic!" "What presentation!" "The food is wonderful!" " you trythe hors d'oeuvres?" "Check out the sweet table. It's Gorgeous!" "I'll diet tomorrow!" "I'm stuffed!" "The dinner is delicious, and the plate looks so pretty!" Just a sample of conversation overheard at a recent affair catered by Sperber's. Kosher with a Flair. SEE FOR YOURSELF WHAT JEWISH METRO DETROIT IS TALKING ABOUT! tCa- 248-932-3766 I F,th At•rat ,1 el Nt.: ,e, I 248-788-0950 Ccrorec:KYK7-, -- 248-357-2910 a B'nai Moshe Under Supervision of the Council of Orthodox Rabbis 248-661-5151 1/2 1998 17