Out of the ashes of the Holocaust emerge the seeds of the Israeli Army "Video Presentation" In Our Own Hands The hidden story of the Jewish Brigade in World War II Thursday, January 13, 2000 • 7:15 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Jewish Community Center/Jimmy Prentis Morris Campus ' A BROWN BAG LUNCH BOOK REVIEW Pikachu and Ash star in the animated adventure "Pokemon: The First Movie." Thursday, February 17, 2000 • 12:30 p.m. ignorance, not intimidating someone younger than you, not exploiting your position with a friend. "Holding back information [about the value] of a card is also stealing," Kanefsky says. Like other parents caught off-guard with the intensity by which their young children have embraced Pokemon, Dr. Helene Rosenzweig, a Los Angeles-based dermatologist, has made an effort to learn the names of many of her son's favorite characters. She tries to talk with other parents about the aspects of fairness and trad- ing among kids too young to know the meaning of "market value." She also discusses these things with her son. "I talked to him about what makes something valuable, why, say, a Charizard card is more valuable than a Pikachu," Rosenzweig says, revealing that a Charizard card can sell upwards of S75. "He said to me, 'But what if I love Pikachu, and I want to have thou- sands and thousands of Pikachus?'"' "So for him, [he learned that] value lies in the eye of the beholder," she says. After seeing her otherwise shy son approach older kids, to ask if they wanted to trade with him, Rosenzweig concludes, "Pokemon is a great equal- izer." Sharon Mor, an educational direc- tor at a supplemental educational cen- ter in Pasadena, Calif, echoes the same sentiment. "I credit Pokemon with bringing people together. I haven't seen anything like this in years," she says. Because of its across-the-board- appeal, the center's team of directors has sponsored Pokemon tournaments for its clients. Although they make it clear that Pokemon will never be a substitute for their curriculum, they believe the card game utilizes critical thinking, reading and math skills that can help kids in school. "Kids come in here who hardly know how to read, and they can read the Pokemon names," says Mor. "I think for some students there's a stigma attached to math in school — it's not fun. They don't realize they are using the same math skills while playing Pokemon." The game, which is based on a mathematical strategy, has a deep complexity that surprises most adults. It helps if you've seen the daily WB animated TV series; Pokemon The First Movie, which opened last month: or played the Nintendo games, but no matter, Pokemon is a world unto itself, inhabited by 150 Pokemon charac- ters, which are Fiercely powerful when incomes to doing battle. Trainers — our kids — utilize these powers to win the game. Contrary to popular belief, there is no exchange of cards during a game, rather, a depletion of points, leaving an opponent's Pokemon monsters helplessly stranded on the bench, until there are no Pokemons left. In spite of what adults believe about Pokemon, and no matter what they say or do, for the time being Pokemon remains a powerful force in our children's lives. But our off- spring also see it for what it is: a popular fad that will disappear one day like so many monsters left on the bench at the end of a Pokemon game. If there's anything they know for sure, it is this one sad fact: Pokemon will go the way of all other fads — Furbys, Beanie Babies, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles -- and some- thing new will take its place. In the meantime, they're going to have some fun. 111 NCJW Office 26400 Lahser Road, Suite 100, in Southfield Rabbi Sherwin Wine of the Birmingham Temple - will review the book Hitler's Pope, the Secret History of Pius XII by John Cornwell Bring a brown bag lunch. Coffee and refreshMents will be served. R. Vice President Program and Wiembershi Jutie Zussman 26400 Laher Rd. Suite 100 • Southfield, Nil 48034 (248) 355-3300 • FAX (248) 355-9951 k G fiG AWAY FOR THE WINTER? TAKE US WITH YOU' \k • N• Don't miss a thing . Get your Detroit Jewish News at your winter home. Attac your mailing label in the space provided, then print your winter address and phone. Please allow 2 to 3 weeks for processing. Tape or glue label here: Please send the Detroit Jewish News to: Name Address Apt. No. City State Zip Telephone I will be at my winter home as of (date) . I will return to my primary address as of (date) Please check this box if you would like us to automatically program your subscription to be mailed to your primary address after you've returned in the spring. Please check if you would like to suspend your Detroit Jewish News subscription while you are away. Your paper will be reinstated when you call us. or on the date you've marked above. 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