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Converting a Moment
in Time..... Into
Visual Memory of Life

(248) 592-0149

THE COMMUNITY HOUSE

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Banquet & Catering Services
248.644.5832

• Weddings
• Bar/Bat Mitzvahs
• Corporate Events
• Sweet 16s
•Anniversaries
• Showers

380 South Bates St.
Birmingham, MI

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ENTERTAINMENT

"It's just not a party, if j0e-sir not invited!"

(248) 356-6000

116

comprises an audience of one.
"Sing a little louder, LeeLee," David
replies. "Remember, some of the
residents are gonna have hearing aids."
All in a typical morning for the
members of Kids on Tour, a put-a-
smile-on-your-face song-and-dance
troupe that's one part mitzvah, one part
performance and 10 parts win-win joy.
"When I was in college," Carol
recalls, "friends and I would visit
childrens' hospitals and perform for the
little kids. I also performed
professionally after graduating. I
especially loved the hospital visits. After
I married my husband and moved here,
I wanted to do it again.
"Then I got pregnant immediately
and realized I wanted my children to
be involved. I couldn't bring children
into a hospital, so I began thinking
where I could go to bring that same
kind of joy to people. Then I thought
about old-age homes.
Out of those initial musings, Kids
on Tour was born. Carol placed an ad
in the Jewish News for kids who wanted
to do a mitzvah and have a good time
singing and dancing. Ten kids ages 6 to
14 got involved. Rehearsals started last
September and by December the
troupe was bringing its special brand
of magic to the elderly.
"This segment of the population is
often ignored and for the kids it's great
to have an audience that is thrilled to
see them," Carol explains.
"Both worlds win.
"Charity isn't about writing a check,
it's about giving of yourself. There is no
greater joy than bringing a smile to
someone's face. When the performance
is done and the kids see what they have
done they feel so important.
"In this world today giving back to
the community has gotten lost. It's
about self-improvement and the
individual; we've forgotten to teach
children to be larger than themselves.
I am so proud of these kids."

"

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