Celebrating Patriotism The Jewish Community Center throws a party for new Americans. LONNY GOLDSMITH StaffWriter s ince 1996, more than 200 Russian immigrants in the Detroit area have become American citizens. Most of them celebrated their accomplishment at a party on June 10. "It's an exciting moment for them because it gives them recognition," said Rivka Latinskaya, who works for the Russian Acculturation Department at the Jimmy Prentis Morris branch of the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit. The event, at the JPM, was a collabora- tive effort between the JCC, Jewish Family Service and the Jewish Federation Apartments. "I've lived here for 6 1/2 years, and it hasn't hit me yet that I'm an American," said Anatoliy Tsyplykov, who passed the oral exami- nation earlier that day and will be sworn in as a citizen next month. "Right now, I'm not sure of what I'm feeling." Tsyplykov's wife Genya was sworn in three months ago, and he will be the last of his family to gain citizen- ship. "It's a great hon .& to the family that he's a citizen," said Genya. "The main feeling is that we are now part of the country." In another welcoming ceremony for new Americans, Congregation B'nai Moshe held its second annual event, also co-sponsored by JFS, last Sunday. The 35 new Americans spent nearly two hours at the synagogue, where they saw a video about Israel and were given a Torah lesson by Rabbi Elliot Pachter. ❑ Right: Hayim Rozental, head of the JCC Yiddish Culture Club, smiles during the celebration. Below left: Three generations of new citizens: Maria Mochuhky with her daughter and grandson, Estir and Ilya Nozhnik. Bottom: New Americans recite the Pledge of Allegiance. A C'n A g m "'