Pot Openers...

What Wisdom Comes
Out Of The Mouths Of Babes

hands, except for one little boy sitting
wife's mother passed away. Benjamin
ob! Tell me a joke!"
in
the
front.
"Aren't
you
free?"
I
and his parents drove up from Man-
"OK. Why couldn't the
inquired.
And
he
proudly
replied,
hattan to attend the funeral.
pony talk?"
"Nol.
I'm
4."
Somewhere along the New York
"I don't know. Why?"
Young
Benjamin
is
a
sophis-
Thruway,
the following conversation
"Because he was a little
ticated
urban
urchin,
the
took
place:
horse."
son of my cousin and his
Upper West Side five-year-old:
"I don't get it."
wife, both Manhattan pho-
"Why are we driving to Vermont?"
A typical conversation me
tographers. This child
His father: "Sherri's mother died."
between my godson, Ben-
becomes
kind
of
apprehen-
Upper
West Side five-year-old:
jamin, who just turned 8.
sive
whenever
he
visits
us
"Who's
gonna
get her apartment?" ❑
I've learned through the
out
in
the
country
and
is
years that when it comes to
forced to contend with our
anything other than toilet
cats
and dog. (In all fairness,
jokes or something totally
the dog still outweighs Ben-
nonsensical, kids Benjamin's
RABBI BOB
jamin and greets him with
age usually "don't get it."
ALPER
by Martha Jo Fleischmann
intimidating doggie enthusi-
They beg you to tell them
Special to The
asm.)
But
the
kid's
a
prince
jokes, but aren't sophisticated
Jewish News
A worn out old vulture
in his own element, offering
enough to understand puns,
named Pett-it
cabbies driving directions
and have too limited a frame
Once
said to his flock,
and authoritatively asserting his per-
of reference to be able to appreciate
"Don't you get it?
sonal
preference
in
museums.
As
a
knee-slappers about, say; being horse.
An on-the-hoof-meal
toddler, at the tender age when his
Kids don't "get" funny. But they
Has lost its appeal.
suburban
peers
.
were
wowing
their
sure can be funny.
If it's not g'shrorben,* forget it!"
families
by
saying
"truck"
and
"ball,"
I heard some of these tidbits first
Benjamin was demanding "sushi."
hand. Others were reported to me.
In the summer of 1996, following
Religious school wisdom:
many
years in a nursing home, my
- Noah's wife was Joan of Arc.
Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by
day. And a ball of fire at night.
King David fought against the
Finkelsteins.
, The seventh commandment is
"The last time I heard an introduction like that was on a winter night when the
"Thou shalt not omit adultery."
person who was supposed to introduce me became ill and I introduced myself."
- And the reason Moses remained
— Rabbi Irwin Groner, in response to President Dottie Wagner's glowing
on the mountain for 40 days? He had
introduction
at Congregation Shaarey Zedek's Tapestry evening. He spoke on
extra lift tickets.
"The Diary of a Rabbi."
Then there was the pre-school class
to whom I had explained, during a
"What I'm doing is revolutionary. I'm creating a new mentsh, who understands
Passover visit, the difference between
the infinite might of the ocean through its creation by God."
slavery and freedom. As I finished, I
— Rabbi Nachum Shifren, a former Malibu lifeguard who teaches in an Israeli
asked them, "Now, how many of you
yeshiva and publishes'a newsletter and web site called "Stay' . ds. Sold."
are free?" They all eagerly raised their

quotables

Rabbi Bob Alper is a stand-up comic

and author who will be appearing at 7

p. m. Sunday, Nov. 22, at Temple

Emanu-El in Oak Park.

llowz By You

BY

"If something can be explained by two theories, then it's proof of neither."
— Rabbi Mordechai Becher, senior lecturer for Ohr Somayach International,
at Ohr Somayach Detroit's Lunch and Learn at the Max M Fisher Federation
Building on "Unearthing Ancient Mysteries."

Eve DEVOTED

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STUPJWG TORAH, 4N2 RUDIAJG
A MEAWIJGFUL. AMD FULRUM6

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The JARC
Merle and Shirley Harris
Children and
Family Division

(incorporating the Keshet Program)

Services for children
with any disability and
their families

Upcoming Events

Monday, November 16
"SIBLINGS: KEEPING THE
FAMILY TIED"

Margaret Weiner, Associate
Executive Director
Emeritus/Consultant, Jewish
Family Service will discuss
sibling relationships for parents
of children with special needs.
No charge
7:15 p.m.

JPM Jewish Community Center
Oak Park.
Sponsored by JARC and JCC

Sunday, December 6
CHANUKAH PARTY

Arts & Crafts, Games, Songs,
and loads of fun!

1:00-2:30 p.m. No charge
Kahn JCC West Bloomfield
Sponsored by JARC, the Daniel
Sobel Friendship Circle, and JCC

Parents,
Need a Break?

Trained JARC staff available to
provide quality respite care in your
home. Sliding fee scale. Funded
by a grant from The Jewish Fund.

Mendel

HEM FRANK IT'S BEEN AGES!
WHATIVe ,YOU PEEN UP TO?
OH,NOTHI
MUCH, RICHARD,
MOSTI- WATCHING A WI
OF TV - WHAT ABOUT WX?

ALL CHILDREN
ARE SPECIAL.
JARC IS HERE
WHEN YOU
FACE A
CHALLENGE.

O

wat_ QOU MISSED
SOME GREAT- T V. SHOWS

Dreams Can Become
Reality

JARC's Person-Centered Planning
Program will help you develop a
goal-oriented action plan based on
the unique needs of your child and
your family. Modest fee. Funded by a
grant from The Jewish Fund

To RSVP or for more information

call

• k

(248) 352-5272

At

28366 Franklin Road
n Southfield, MI 48034
(248) 352-5272 v/tty

Visit our website at www.jarc.org

Detroit Jewish News

11/6
1998

5