Synagogune
E_Cr
Temple israds annual picnic
features everything
from a petting zoo to a blood drive.
Picnic co-chair Cindy Kandel said, "I
think 'picnic' is a misnomer. I consider it
more of an event. The picnic captures
the spirit of Temple — open, giving, car-
ing and fun."
The picnic draws attendance from the
whole community. It was a way to make
new friends and renew acquaintances
with people whose lives have taken dif-
ferent paths. Families enjoyed each
other's company while grandparents had
an opportunity to spend an afternoon
with their grandchildren.
"It is a fun afternoon. There is a lot
to offer," said Adat Shalom Synagogue
member Andrea Siegel, mother of 4-
year-old Marissa and 2-year-old Jacob.
Temple Israel's brotherhood sponsors
a blood drive during the picnic. "There's
a need in the community and we give
back to the community," said Lou Lan,
the blood drive chair. This year, blood
donors contributed 110 pints to the
American Red Cross.
Picnic volunteers totaled 170 from
the youth group, couples club, singles
extension, brotherhood, sisterhood and
Temple Treasures. David Mindell, 12,
was a volunteer at the slush machine.
For his upcoming bar mitzvah, he
received a list of mitzvot (good deeds)
he could do.
"Volunteering at the picnic looked
like a cool thing to volunteer for," he
said. 1-1
LISA FEIN
Special. to the Jewish News
A
carnival-like atmosphere —
replete with strolling clowns
handing out candy, children
with their faces painted, farm
animals, kids' rides and plenty of food
— describes how 3,000 people celebrat-
ed their Labor Day at,Temple Israel's
ninth annual family picnic.
Adding to the mix, teenagers were
dancing in the streets with music provid-
ed by Star Trax and blood donors rolled
up their sleeves to help the less fortunate.
Emily Anne Dworkin, 5, liked the
pony rides the best. Children also petted
sheep, goats and horses, jumped in the
moonwalk, enjoyed the giant slide and
participated in jousting matches.
Feeling dizzy described Sara Enfield,
5, after getting off the spinning apple
ride. "It made me a little scared," she
said.
Good thing her big brother, Daniel,
8, rode with her.
This year's picnic celebrated the 20th
year of the temple's nursery school.
Temple Israel had a Labor Day picnic in
1991 to celebrate the groundbreaking for
an addition. The picnic was to be a one-
time event. Its success created an annual
tradition.
Executive Director David Tisdale said
this year's turnout was the biggest yet.
•
•
Kyla Milberger,
4, of West
Bloomfield,
enjoys a bomb
pop.
•
•
Elissa Tenenbaum, 2,
West Bloomfield,
r ooks at the farm
animals at the pet-
ting zoo.
9/17
1999
Detroit Jewish News
75