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."