Ski & Sna Club for * Professional instructions * Classes for all skill levels - beginner to expert * Special program for the younger skiers (ages 6-9) * Small classes * Adult classes too! * Charter buses Saturday & Sunday Care Bears Cantors bring stuffed friends and music on hospital visits to kids. (248) 855- 1 07. 5 Teaching Kids to Ski is Our Business Celebrating our 25th Season! Largest Selection Of Rockers and Gliders $10.00 OFF WITH THIS AD Cantor Ralph Goren, Cantor Chaim Najman and Michael Wolf display the Chanuka Bears. SHELLI DORFMAN Staff Writer his Chanuka, many hospi- talized children received spe- cial furry gift bears, thanks to a national project of the New York-based Cantors Assembly. Established by Cantors Assembly staff member Jay Neufeld, the program is named BEARS. That stands for: Bears that will give some Encouragement, and in turn, our reward will come from their Adorable Rewarding Smiles. Cantor Chaim Najman, national president of the Cantors Assembly, says congregations in two-dozen cities participated in the program, including Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield under his lead- ership. Bears for the project were purchased from the Cantors Assembly, which acquired them in large quantity. Some of the cantors nationally involved their religious schools and sis- terhoods in the purchase and delivery of the bears; those at Shaarey Zedek chose to include the synagogue's youth group. Michael Wolf, the synagogue's director of education and youth, arranged for United Synagogue Youth members to share the bears with young patients at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. Cantor Stephen Stein, the Cantors Assembly executive vice president, says this first-year program was initiated with a goal of bringing at least a small measure of joy to these children. The thought of a child being in the hospi- tal during this season is particularly troubling. "We are more than singers," he adds. "We are clerics who visit the sick, hold their hands as they die and stay with them once they have passed on. And, in fact, much of our time is spent teaching children, which makes this project especially meaningful to us." Cantor Najman says he and syna- gogue Cantor Ralph Goren have given away bears at Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit and Beaumont Hospital. They also sing Chanuka songs with the children, Cantor Najman says, happy to "bring them some holiday cheer and sunshine, no matter how brief." He describes the two types of bears presented as Chanuka Bears: blue and white but with no religious symbols, and Rainbow Bears. Both types are offered to patients, who are non-Jewish as well as Jewish. Cantor Najman says he may expand the program next year to include area nursing homes in addi- tion to hospitals. What's especially important to him is to "continue to involve the synagogue's youth in the mitzvah of delivering the stuffed gifts. Wood Rockers from ...$98.00 0 0 0 8 :0 68 1 4 Gliders from • „ , , , .S ..:$ Child's Rockers from Rocker Cushions & Accessories FREE LAYAWAY WE SHIP ANYWHERE 21325 Telegraph (Between 8 k 9 Mlle) Southfield (248) 948-1060 36539 Gratiot Ave. 3337 Auburn Rd. (South of 16 Mile) (Between Adams fr Squirrel) Auburn Hills Mt Clemens (810) 790-3065 (248) 853-7440 A DAVID ROSENMAN'S AW110 Amok PlUIRCHASERS NEW & USED CAR BROKER Sales • Leasing • Buying (248) 851-CARS (248) 851-2277 Motivational/Inspirational Take a journey through the eyes of an educator, law enforcement person, husband, and father. Explore how a positive attitude and confident outlook can change the scope of the bleakest situations. Feel the excitement and spark when Dr. Isaiah McKinnon shares his dynamic stories about positive attitudes, determination and his experience as a "big city" police chief. Dr. McKinnon uses humor and real-life experiences to motivate and impart a sense of self-importance for each attendee. Dr. McKinnon is an Associate Professor Education/Human Services at U of D Mercy • To have Dr. Isaiah (Ike) McKinnon featured at your next event call (313) 259-9577 T4> 12/31 , . 1999 51