There's so much happening
at Shaarey Zedek's Applebaum
Jewish Parenting Center
thankful. They also help us realize
that while our prayers, or pleases,
are not always answered to our lik-
ing, we do have One to guide us
through our increasingly complicated
lives.
By cleaning our homes in prepara-
tion of Pesach, we are reminded that
I God always offers us the opportunity
to create new beginnings. We are
blessed with the freedom to cast
aside old habits and predispositions.
and begin life afresh (out with the
„
old, in with the new). This spring
1 cleaning, along with the burning of
chametz, symbolizes this and reminds
us to be thankful for the free will we
enjoy 365 days a year. The giving
of maot chittim to families less fortu-
nate reminds us that "thank yous"
often take the form of deeds-, in addi-
tion to words. By providing for those
less fortunate, we become ever more
4 i conscious of our own blessings, and
we help others realize that their
prayers and "pleases" are not
ignored.
After all the preparation is done,
we are able to sit down and enjoy
I the lessons of the seder, contained in
1 its many sights, sounds, tastes and
with (continued deference to Barney),
imaginary friends. The sights are
highlighted by the beautiful seder
plate with its reaffirming "thank yous"
in each compartment. The trip around
the plate begins sadly, with maror
I and charoset which remind us of our
bitter enslavement at the hands of the
♦ I Egyptians. Next to the maror, howev-
er, sits the shankbone, which reminds
us that our lives were redeemed
while our oppressors were destroyed.
1 Our blessings continue to be symbol-
: ized by the egg, recalling our new
1 lives as a free people. Last, the
karpas reminds us of spring and the
41
opportunity it holds for fresh, new
beginnings. Each symbol celebrates
our freedom.
For those more attune to sounds,
the chanting of the four questions
inspires us to another level of "thank
yous."
I
Why do we eat matzoh? To
remember that we were slaves given
an opportunity to escape so quickly
that our bread didn't have time to
rise. Matzoh reminds us that encoun-
ters with God can take place at any
time, so we should always be pre-
pared.
Why do we eat bitter herbs? To
remind us that our lives were bitter —
and now they are not. We eat bitter
herbs so we can thank God for hap-
piness.
Why do we dip twice? So we can
recall the tears that we once shed.
Why do we recline? So we can
be thankful for the comfort not only in
our nice homes, but in good health
and piece of mind.
Our imaginary friends join us in
the form of four sons who, at the
very least, remind this father to treat
each of his children with a unique
love and respect for their differ-
ences. The four sons remind me of
my responsibility to teach my boys
about our history and religion, to
make sure each understands its
beauty and lessons and applies
them to his life.
Our invisible . visitor Elijah offers
more reason for optimism and thank
yous since he represents God's ever-
watchful eye over our family. And if
we invite Elijah to dine at our table,
how much easier it is to invite my
sons' grandfather, my dad — once a
proud leader of many family seders
who now sits with us as a watchful
spirit, as well.
On Pesach we thank God for
beautiful memories and say "please"
look after all our loved ones — those
here with us now, and those who
have passed on but remain with us in
spirit.
To Barney I give a "thank you" as
well — for teaching my children the
right things to do and say. I only
hope that when they outgrow you, I
will be able to pick up where you left
off by teaching them to be‘gracious,
humble and always to remember to
say "please" and "thank you." D
MUSIC & MOVEMENT
KITCHEN TABLE
Music class for moms and babies
A chat group for moms and babies.
3 months and older.
Birth through 15 months.
7 week class beginning Monday, April 20 9 week class beginning
10:15-10:45 a.m.
10-17 months Wednesday, April 22
11:00-11:30 a.m.
3-9 months
9:30-10:45 a.m.
$35/m; $50/nm
545/m; $65/nm .
(no class May 25 & June 1
CHALLAH DAYS
Make and take a challah that you can
INFANT MASSAGE
bake at home for a wonderful Shab-
Discover an effective way to commu- bat experience. $2.50 per pound of
nicate with your baby, using all the
dough. Pre-ordering and payment re-
senses. For babies birth-9 months or quired by April 20. Program Friday,
crawling.
April 24.
5 week class beginning Monday, April 20
10:00-10:45 a.m.
MUSIC AND MOVEMENT
$25/m; $35/nm
Music class for moms and babies 3
months and older.
MENSCH MAKING (S.T.E.P.) 9 week class beginning Friday, April 24
For parents of pre-schoolers. Learn 10:30-11:00 a.m.
10-17 months
to understand why children mis-
9:45-10:15 a.m.
3-9 months
behave and techniques to help solve $45/m; $65/nm
these problems (All materials
included).
BABY GYM
8 week class beginning Tuesday, April 21
Gym class for moms and babies
7:00-8:30
3-17 months.
$40/m; $60/nm
9 week class beginning Friday, April 24
10-17 months
9:45-10:15 a . m .
3-9 months
10:30-11:00 a.m.
$45/m; $65/nm
For More
Information on
Parenting Center
Programs,
Please contact
Janet Pont
(248) 681-5353
Fax: (248) 681-4251
E-mail•
jpcgshaareyzedelcorg 1
DWYER
AND
SONS
COLLISION CENTER
Joel Goldhaber,
formerly with Maxie
Collision, Inc. is now
actively servicing all
previous customers
and new customers at
Dwyer and Sons
Collision Center
■ Free Loaner available or ask about our Deductible
Savings Program
■ Free Estimates
■ All insurance companies accepted. We are a direct repair for
many insurance companies
■ Towing services available
■ All makes and models are welcome
■ Turning in a lease car? See me first for a free pre-inspection!!
■ Free pick-up and delivery service available
(248) 624-0400
3055 West Maple, Commerce Township, MI 48390
1/4 mile west of Haggerty (north side)
4/3
1998
69