1999 JOG Summer Camps CeleBraTe This is The sunimer you've been waiting for... Children with special needs can participate in all the fun and exciting camps at JCC's popular summer day camps. A paraprofessional will be at the child's side at all times, when needed, at no additional cost to you. Space is limited, and spots are filling up quickly. For more information or a brochure, call (248) 661-7737. Hurry, spaces are filling up quickly! This program is made possible by the generosity of The Jewish Fund. The Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit D. Dan and Betty Kahn Building • 6600 West Maple Rd. • (248) 661-1000 Jimmy Prentis Morris Building • A. Alfred Taubman Campus • 15110 West Ten Mile Rd. • (248) 967-4030. Col-plc/ Chczek. Out Ilczw Spring Color 12 New Lipsticks: 12 New EyeshadoS . .3: New Blushes Plus 5pring Nail Colors in Essie and Opi . W EST 131_4COCIIRII IFIIE11_113 23 —7323 Orchard Lake Road in the West Bloomfield Plaza CI A l< PARK ff■ Aft - 7 —91569 24695 Coolidge Hwy. at 10 Mile Rd. Plaza tiCrA4 China Y & Gifts -174 • 2,000 fine china, crystal stemware, and silverware patterns — the largest in- stock dealer in the USA. • Introduce the bride-to-be to Heslop's registry and exclusive bridal Flan. ACCENTS IN NEEDLEPOINT Contemporary Designs Orchard Man West Bloomfield 626-3042 (Orchard Lake 15 Mae) (248) 737-8080 4/2 1999 66 Detroit Jewish News IN THE ORCHARD MALL WEST BLOOMFIELD #9) You may have heard of S.Y. Agnon, but never gotten around to reading his stories. Or maybe you've seen the works of Amos Oz and thought, "someday..." On Israel Independence Day, you can begin a family tradition of reading to each other each night. You needn't spend more than 15 min- utes or so (although once you get into the book, you may want to spend more). Find a number of age-appropriate books, then have the family take a vote on which to read first. #10) Spend a little time learning about one of the many fascinating people who helped found Israel. No matter what your politics, you will be impressed to learn of the courage and commitment that many men and women exhibited as they risked their lives to help build the state. Tell Us About Your Special Friend Perhaps one of the best days of your life was when you went to the movies with your next-door neighbor, who is mentally challenged. Or maybe you spent an unforgettable afternoon once with a family friend who is autistic. The Jewish News, in conjunction with the Daniel Sobel Friendship Circle, wants to hear about your moments of friendship with someone who is disabled. Together, we are sponsoring an essay contest, "My Special Friend." The winner will receive a S100 prize and have his/her essay published in The AppleTree. The Daniel Sobel Friendship Circle, founded in 1994, is dedicated to providing respite care and other help to families with special-needs ildren. So far, more than 250 middle school and high school stu- ents -lave volunteered with the Friendship Circle, affording them the opportunity to have "a meaningful interaction with a person who has a disability," says Rabbi Levi Shemtov of the Friendship Circle. Shemtov hopes that, through this contest, "the barrier of interaction will be broken down. "Over the last decade, there has been an impressive effort from society as a whole, and especially from the Jewish community, to learn about acceptance of adults and children with various developmental disabili- ties. Very often, we read in TheJewish News about how a synagogue, school or organization started a new program to include special-needs children. Thanks to the good hearts and great laws in this country, many carriers that have stood in the way of special-needs children and adults have come down. However, the most important barrier of all is what our essay contest will help bring down: the barrier of interaction." The contest is open to any student in middle school or high school. Essays should be no longer than iwo, double-spaced, typed pages and must focus on an experience with a special-needs person. In addition tc) the prize money and essay publication in The Jewish News, the winner will be invited to read his/her article at the Friend- ship Circle's annual dinner on May 24. Mail essays to Special Friend, c/o The AppleTree, 27676 Franklin Road, Southfield, MI 48034, or fax (248) 354-6069. Entries must be received at our office no later than Friday, April 23. Editor's Note: If you are interested in the contest but do not know a special-needs fami- ly, please contact Elizabeth Applebaum at The AppleTree, (248) 354- 6060, ext. 308. Leave a message with your name and phone num- ber, and your call will be returned.