AroUnD TOwN

A Tale Of Two
Holidays

The interesting, if often overlooked, holidays
that fall at the end of Sukkot.

Bowling Is My
Kind Of Game

transformation for little bowlers. Lan-
an I interest you in a family
gan's even provides ramps for chil-
bowling adventure?
dren who cannot pick up the seven-
It might seem as though
Elizabeth Applebaum AppleTree Editor
pound balls. Using the ramps, my
bowling is a sport for grownups, but
19 month old son actually bowled a
I've found a small bowling center tai
strike.
lor-made for little people. Langan's
notice a difference in the regular
sk anyone Jewish to tell
Nor-West Lanes, at 32905 North-
Pop and juice are sold at the drink
davening.
We
read
the
Hallel
you about Chanukah and
bar
or are available in vending
western Highway in Farmington Hills
prayer, and insert a prayer for
you'll hear the whole story
is owned by a third-genera-
machines. (There is free cof-
I rain, called "Tefillat Geshem" in
iof Judah Maccabee and the oil
tion of Langans, Mary and
fee for parents.) Adjacent to
1 the Musaf portion of the service.
and the miracle. No problem.
Mike.
a
pizza parlor is a small
(Abundant
rainfall
in
the
winter
Ask anyone Jewish to tell you
Because it was originally
game room, equipped with
I months is critical to the environ-
:about Pesach and you'll hear all
I
built
in
1949
by
Grandfa-
a
video and pinball
s
ment
of
the
Land
of
Israel.)
Shemini
about the Jews leaving Egypt in a
1
they
Langan,
the
interior
machines, as well as a few
Atzeret also is a day on which
:hurry and the matzah and the
was
recently
renovated
and
toddler-sized
rides including
Yizkor
is
recited.
plagues and the four sons and
a
carousel
and
a Batman
updated,
with
plans
under
One day before Shemini Atzeret
I Pharaoh. Also no problem.
Car.
way for exterior renovations
Ask anyone Jewish about Shemi- 1 is another rather obscure holiday,
Diane
Baldwin
in
the
spring.
The
parents
of
The game area is roomy
Hoshanah Rabba, which falls on
ini Atzeret and you'll meet up with
AppleTree
and clean. All games use
five children, the owners
I a handful who know a great deal 1 the seventh day of Sukkot (this
Staff Writer
quarters.
included changes that make
year, beginning Saturday night,
I about the day, a few who have
the
center more family friendly.
Every year, from the end
1
Oct.
1
0).
It
is
a
festive
day,
but
heard of it but can't tell you exact-
of
September
though the end of
Langan's Nor-West Lanes has only
also one of judgement.
: ly what it is, and many who ask,
October, Ray's Pumpkin Patch can be
16 lanes. However, at 15,000
According to tradition, on Rosh
1"You mean it's a Jewish holiday?"
found
in the Langan's Nor-West Lanes
square feet, the small bowling center
Hashana, God makes his deci-
Don't feel bad if you're in the lat-
parking area. You can get apple
is actually large. There is an open
sion; on Yom Kippur the verdict is
e ter category; Shemini Atzeret is
cider
and pumpkins, and the children
floor plan that allows parents to see
tentatively sealed, and on
indeed rather elusive.
can play on the haystacks.
(almost), at a glance, the entire facili-
The holiday comes on the eighth I Hoshanah Rabba this decision is
The cost to bowl is $10 a lane
All the rooms are well-lit and divid-
given its final seal.
I day of Sukkot (this year, beginning
1 for half an hour; $ 1 8 a lane for
ed by low banisters, rather than
In ancient times, Hoshanah
after sundown on Sunday, Oct.
an hour. Four to five bowlers can
walls. Large mirrors and windows
Rabba was widely, and rather dra-
11), and it's also known as "the
play in each lane. Shoes (starting
make the place feel homey and help
matically, observed. Families
festival of conclusion." And while
1
at children's size 10) are available
mom and dad find children who
would come to the Mount of
Shemini Atzeret is linked with
I might have wandered off. For added 1 for S2 a pair. (Bring clean, dry,
I Olives in Jerusalem where entire
ISukkot, it's also separate.
rubber-soled shoes for children
safety, only two doors lead outside,
1 communities would be blessed —
The holiday is mentioned in the
I whose size is under 10.) Hours for
I both of which are visible from all
or individuals would be placed in
:Torah in Leviticus 23:36, Deuteron-
!
open bowling are: Monday, Tues-
lanes. Carpeting throughout helps
cherem, a kind of excommunica-
: omy 16:8 and Isaiah 1:13, where
day and Friday, 4 p.m. to 11
I soften noises, while children need
tion.
it's described as a "feast of conclu-
p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday,
master only one low step for going
A number of traditions and prac-
lsion" and a "holy convocation." It
1 9 a.m. to noon and 4 p.m. to 11
from the aisleway to the approach.
tices relate to Hoshanah Rabba.
is a holiday on which Jews are
p.m.; weekends, 10 a.m. to 11
The Nickelodeon channel can some-
During morning services, worship-
bound to the same rules they
p.m. No registration is needed for
pers parade around the sanctuary : times be found on one of the five tele-
observe, on any major Jewish holi-
1
open bowling. However, to regis-
x
visions.
in seven circuits, reciting all seven
day. But unlike with most Jewish
1 ter for Cosmic Bowling (a glow-in-
All lanes are equipped with
of the Hoshana prayers that were
!holy days, there are no special
the-dark game) or a children's
said on Sukkot and later, beat bun I bumpers, making a quick-and-easy
I celebratory rituals that accompany
league, to inquire about birthday
dies of willow branches against
Shemini Atzeret.
parties
or for more information,
Diane
Baldwin
is
a
mother
and
the floor.
Those who attend services will
freelance writer in Clarkston.
call Langan's (248) 626-2422. 0

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10/2

1995

Detroit Jewish News

107