The BiG Story
From Pesach
to Shavuot
Countdown to
Receiving the Torah
Fun hands-on projects about
the Omer, a 7-week period lasting
from Passover to Shavuot.
Sunday, April 18 - 3:30 p.m.
D. ban & Betty Kahn Building
and Jimmy Prentis Morris Bui
,
est Bloomfield
Oak Park
• Exciting new family activities
• Make and take your own exodus game
• Create an ice-cream sundae
• Chance to win free family admission
to the David Syme concert
Tickets:
$3 per family if purchased by April 12
$5 per family purchased after April 12
or at the door
Co-sponsored by the Jewish Educators Council.
Ice cream provided by golden Valley Dairy.
Especially for families with children ages 4-12
For tickets, please call the
b. ban & Betty Kahn Building
at (248) 661-7649 or
the Jimmy Prentis Morris Building
at (248) 967-4030.
D. Dan & Betty Kahn Building • 6600 W. Maple • (248) 661-1000
Jimmy Prentis Morris Building • A. Alfred Taubman Campus
15110 W. Ten Mile • (248) 967-4030
and a dog. But every Friday night, c--;
this Orthodox home in Oak Park is
abu77 with family, singing and the
aroma of homemade food coming
from the kitchen.
"The dog even knows it's Shab-
bat," Neil says. "When we start
singing hamotzi, she starts prancing
around and won't stop until she
gets a taste of Lynn's challah."
Children Ari, 10; Benji, 8;
Joshua, 6; and Rebecca, 3, look
forward to Shabbat.
"My favorite part is Mommy's
challah and getting to sit next to my
Daddy to sing Kiddush," Rebecca
says. For Josh, the best part is eat-
ing dessert and listening to zemirot,
Shabbat songs. Ben likes his
Nanna's chicken, and for Ari, the
meal is always great.
"My secret to successful Shabbat
preparation with four children is
cooking in large batches," Lynn
says. " I will simply make an extra
large roast or turkey. Or when I am
preparing my homemade challah,
I'll make enough for two or three
Shabbats and put them in the freez-
er.
"Thursday morning I can pull the
entree out of the freezer, which
saves me a ton of time," she adds.
"I've moved my schedule around,
so I don't work on Fridays any-
more," Neil says. It helps with
details like setting the table and get-
ting the kids organized." The older
boys help him set the table.
Favorite customs, such as blessing
the children, are mixed with new
traditions Neil and Lynn have creat-
ed for their own family. Neil will go
over question sheets and Jewish-
studies projects the children have
brought home.
"Every other week, we share Shab-
A Shabbat in Oak Park
bat with my parents and my sister and
In another family, Neil and Lynn
brother and their families," Lynn adds.
Blavin carry on traditions from their
"With 18 of us sitting around the
childhood homes.
table, it is always nice to share our
Neil, a dentist in Livonia, and
celebration. The kids get to know their
Lynn, founder of the Rose Institute
for weight control, have their hands
cousins in a more intimate way than
full with two careers, four children
at big family dinners." II
It begins on the Sunday before,
Stacey says. "We discuss what we
will have, and Gary goes grocery
shopping, so that when Wednes-
day night comes I can pull the main
course out of the freezer."
The real preparation begins when
the children go to sleep Thursday. At
10 p.m., Gary and Stacey get busy.
The leaf goes in the dining-room
table, and topped with a tablecloth.
The high chair is set up and the
bread cover Rachel made at school
comes out. Gary's siddur (prayer
book) from his Bar Mitzvah ceremo-
ny is on the table, and the silver-
ware is in place.
Special touches making Shabbat a
distinct night include using three sets
of candlesticks (one for-each child)
and three Kiddush cups, gifts from
Rachel's godmother, Amy Seidman.
Whichever parent gets home first
pulls together last-minute details, like
preparing the vegetable and putting
drinks on the table.
"William brings home the challah
from Temple Israel preschool, which is
a big help," Stacey says. We used
to have to stop at the bakery during 6
p.m. traffic on the way home."
At 7 p.m. sharp, Stacey lights the
candles, Rachel says hamotzi (the
blessing over the bread), the family
sings Kiddush together, and Shab-
bat has begun for the Shumans.
They talk, sing songs and Gary and
Stacey take a few minutes longer
than usual to sit and relax. "We
never make other plans on a Friday
night," Stacey says. "Although one
Friday a month, we attend family
services and Shabbat dinner at
Temple Shir Shalom .with our extend-
ed family."