"We really, really appreciate
what they are doing for us,"
Doren said after a game. "If it
wasn't for their taking us in, we
wouldn't be able to do this."
The Urnovitzes were thrilled
to oblige. They first heard
about the opportunity from a
neighbor after she returned
from a seminar for host fami-
lies. They ditched plans to go
on a family vacation and signed
up to bring two girls into their
home.
"We thought it would be a
good experience," Elayne Urnovitz
said.
The family quickly began prepara-
tions. Elayne Urnovitz called the par-
ents of Fried. and Doten, both to
introduce herself and to find out the
girls' likes and dislikes. She discovered
that both love macaroni and cheese,
Fried is into junk food and Doren
despises mashed potatoes.
Then she set about preparing the
house. After Abby returned from
camp with duffel bags full of dirty
clothes, Elayne Urnovitz asked her
daughter to clean up the mess and
straighten her room. They worked
together to clear out drawer space for
their visitors, moved Abby into
Brian's room and Brian into
the family den.
The move proved to be a
real boon for 12-year-old
Abby. "Brian's room is better
than mine anyway because he
has a TV and his bed is big-
ger," she said, adding she
hasn't slept in her own bed
for a month because she was
at camp.
Brian was less thrilled
about the arrangements but
happy that the visitors were
girls. "To have two ladies to
chat with? What guy would-
n't be happy?" he said.
Before their guests' arrival
on Aug. 16, Abby made a
sign reading "Welcome
Jennifer & Candice," and
decorated it with Baltimore
Orioles baseball caps. The
family hung the sign in the
family room.
Said Fried, "We were a lit-
tle nervous about coming to
stay in someone else's home
because you never know what
to expect. But when we saw
the sign, it was like, 'Okay,
we're fine. We can stay here.'"
Besides the comfy accom-
barbecues and swim parties for
the visiting athletes while others
took their charges on day trips
to sites in the Detroit area. The
Urnovitzes took the girls to the
Renaissance Festival in Holly, a
day-long interactive medieval
adventure.
Many families attended the
opening ceremonies, taking
pride in their visiting athletes as
if they were family members.
"People have come up to us
and asked us what sport we play and
how we have done. That's nice,"
Doren said.
Harvey Urnovitz also cheered the
girls on during their games, taking
time out from his insurance business.
"Mr. Urnovitz is a sentimental kind
of a guy," said Fried. "He kept telling
us, 'These moments are going to stay
with you forever. Savor these
moments.'
"But you know, he is probably right,"
she said. "This has been great."
modations, the girls also enjoyed the
food. "I have been to Maccabi four
times and this is the best food I have
ever had," said Fried as she finished a
large bagel with cream cheese and
helped herself to a second round of
fruit salad.
And the community's hospitality
nearly overwhelmed them. With
games all day and activities planned
every night, the schedule left little
down time to be bored. On Shabbat,
synagogues and temples scheduled
special services honoring the athletes
as well as Shabbat dinners and picnic
lunches.
Families also went above and
beyond what they were asked to do.
Groups of families also scheduled big
Top: The Baltimore athletes
relax in their Huntington
Woods "nest."
Middle: Jennifer, right,
watches Brian try to teach
Candice a chord.
Above: Laundry time.
Left: A quick dinner between
athletics and the Maccabi
social event.
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Detroit Jewish News
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