The BiG Story

Despite the 92-degree heat and
sweltering humidity, hundreds of
metro Detroiters came to the closing
event of the Detroit Jewish commu-
nity's centennial celebration, featur-
ing Israel Fest and the Walk for

Israel.
The event was called, "We're
Better Together," and was spon-
sored by the Jewish Federation and
the United Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit.
The event began at 1 p.m. at the
Jimmy Prentis Morris Building of the
Jewish Community Center in Oak
Park, where volunteers bold
enough to endure the heat operat-
ed booths outside.
Avrahami, a fourth-grade Hebrew
teacher at Hillel Day School of
Metropolitan Detroit, was explain-
ing rules of a map game designed
to help children and teens learn
about the State of Israel. The large,
colorful game was spread on the
Center's parking lot.
We begin by having groups sit
around the game and we discuss
Israel's borders," Avrahami said.
Children then had the opportunity to
pose as a living statue of the coun-
try (Sharrone said it wasn't easy
standing for long cr lust one leg),
and to learn about a certain city.
Each child could be a city's
mayor" as he noted Torah stories
featuring his town, and then volun-
teered ideas for attracting tourists.
Boys and girls also could mark
where relatives lived in Israel, and
write a message to be placed in
the Kotel (Western Wall).
At Charlotte Rothstein Park just
behind the Jewish Center, Israeli
artists sat under rents displaying
their works, which included stained
glass, paintings and baskets made
of palm branches.
Elaine Kahn of Oak Park was
enjoying the moonwalk with her

I/

three sons.
There was a purple-and-yellow
clown moonwalk filled with bal-
loons for the younger set, and a

6/11
1999

larger version for
the bigger
jumpers.
"It's not hot,"
Kahn insisted. "It's
beautiful. Just be
sure to wear a hat
and stay in the
shade."
Ariella Nadel of
Southfield also
brought her three
sons to the event.
The Nadels
recently moved
from Philadelphia
to Detroit and
Cover page: Scenes from the 1.7-mile Walk for Israel. Above, clockwise: getting a ride
were eager "to
on the Walk, taking part in the Israeli map game The Attractive Land, Beth Shalom
join with the Jew-
young people walk for Israel, distributing water bottles to the walkers and Habonim-Dror
ish community" in
the celebration,
youngsters join in the march.
she said. "It's
almost like the first
cream. Though a large crowd sat
always helped the Federation,"
day of summer today. It's exciting
under the trees to enjoy the music,
weren't worried that the heat would
for the kids."
two senior women were the sole
hinder walkers.
By 1 :30 p.m., volunteers Ron and
dancers as the band broke into,
"Everyone gets a free bottle of
Rita Davidoff had signed up a num-
"Roll Out the Barrel."
water," Rita Davidoff said. "And
ber of participants for the annual
Inside the Jewish Center it was not
there's more at the half-way mark."
Walk for Israel, and were expect-
only
cool (thanks to air condition-
Across from the Davidoffs, just out-
ing well into the hundreds to partici-
ing), but there was free food. \atu-
side the Prentis Jewish Apartments,
pate. The Davidoffs, who said they
rally, this area was well populated.
a cheery band played old favorites
have enjoyed being part of Mis-
Andy Roisman said that more than
as visitors helped themselves to ice
sions to Israel and who have