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OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

154 S. Woodward, Birmingham
(248) 540-8780

Halsted Village
(37580 W. 12 Mile Rd.)
Farmington Hills
(248) 553-2360

6527 Telegraph Rd.
Corner of Maple (15 Mile)
Bloomfield Township
(248) 646-8568

4763 Haggerty Rd. at Pontiac Trail
West Wind Village Shopping Center
West Bloomfield
(248) 669-2295

841 East Big Beaver, Troy
(248) 680-0094

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CONEY ISLAND
Nine Mile & Greenfield
15647 West Nine Mile, Southfield
(248) 569-5229

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Between 13 & 14 on
Orchard Lake Road
30985 Orchard Lake Rd.
Farmington Hills
(248) 626-9732

UPTOWN PARTHENON
4301 Orchard Lake Rd.
West Bloomfield
(248) 538-6000

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33292 West 12 Mile
Farmington Hills-
(248) 489-9777

Serving whitefish, lamb shank,
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Nilo

On The Bookshelf

The Potter

have experienced the same kinds of situations
throughout their history," explains Pastor, who
lists her age as past 60. "Similar to the novels,
Judaism is filled with mysticism, wonder and
gains made through knowledge and wisdom.
"As part of my presentation, I talk about the
young heroes and heroines in Jewish history —
people under 20 — and show how they were
innovative and creative to save their own lives. I
will point out the historical metaphors and pre-
sent a way of learning through literature."
Pastor, who grew up in Michigan and moved
to California after her three children were
grown, knew she would be visiting here this
summer and proposed the Harry Potter discus-
sion session to Borders. At the Borders in San
Diego, she conducts monthly programs to
explore Jewish thought in literature and history.
Although Rowling repeatedly reminds fans
that she has directed her writing toward chil-
dren, adults seem to be enjoying the books both
independently of their children and as a way of
understanding their sons and daughters, and so
Borders set up the discussion program for adults.
"I think the Harry Potter books are worth
reading, and I like to focus on Judaism because it's
been such a strong part of my life," says Pastor,
who was born into an Orthodox home, gravitated
toward Conservatism and Reform practices and
SUZANNE CHESSLER
became part of the Jewish Renewal Movement.
Special to the Jewish News
"I'm hoping to bring a strong value in Judaism into con-
temporary experiences and issues and show the significance
hen Esti Pastor was teaching eighth-grade
of both prayer and imagination."
religious studies at Temple Beth El many
Pastor developed her specialized training sessions after
years ago, she liked to take note of the fic-
earning several degrees and holding positions in schools
tional works her
and industry.
students were reading and relate
Above: Esti Pastor: "Harry Potter
She earned an associate's degree in sociology
that to Judaic issues.
books have appealing characters,
from Oakland Community College, a bachelor's
Now that the Harry Potter nov-
perilous situations and outcomes degree in sociology from Wayne State University
els are all the rage, Pastor has
that are long in doubt, and
and a master's degree in instructional leadership
found a new fantasy world to con-
Jews have experienced
and education from San Diego State University.
nect to Jewish life. She has done
the same kinds of situations
Religious interests have placed her in midrash class-
throughout their history"
some Harry Potter Internet chat-
es in Michigan and scholarship programs in Israel.
ting with ethnic scholars and will
Pastor's teaching and counseling background has
do some Harry Potter in-person chatting with Jewish parents
included positions in various grades and at the college level.
7 p.m. Wednesday, July 5, at Borders in Farmington Hills.
Her business initiatives have included Holocaust presenta-
"Harry Potter comes alive with echoes of the Bible, Kabbala
tions in Russia, Poland and Hungary.
and mysticism, so I'm hoping to create dialogue and discus-
"I take any tool I can find, including Harry Potter books, to
sion about all that," says Pastor, an educator who plans busi-
bring a point across," says Pastor, a former Wnai B'rith chapter
ness and religious training programs out of her home base in
president, about her upcoming discussion group. "I hope we
California. "I see a lot of Jewish values and character building.
can share insights because I think it's important to see litera-
"This kind of discussion creates a support system for bring-
ture through another person's eyes, and I hope we can make
ing new value approaches to young people, ultimately giving
reading and religion exciting ways to empower youngsters." ❑
them permission to try new ways of looking at things."
Pastor's discussion group precedes the July 8 release of
Esti Pastor will conduct her discussion on Harry
the fourth Harry Potter mystery novel written by J.K.
Potter 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 5, at Borders, Orchard
Rowling (the title remains under wraps and no one — not
Lake and 14 Mile, Farmington Hills. (248) 737-0110.
even reviewers — will have an early copy of the 3.8-million
The bookstore will hold a party beginning at 11 p.m.
volume printing). Because of demand for the earlier vol-
Friday, July 7, in anticipation of the July 8 release of
umes, some bookstores will keep later hours to satisfy cus-
the fourth book in the series. The evening features
tomers intent on being among the first buyers.
various Potter-related activities, and books go on sale
The earlier mysteries, which place the 13-year-old hero
from midnight-1 a.m. Barnes and Noble, 6575
in a world of wizards and magic, include Harry Potter and
Telegraph
Road, in Bloomfield Hills, will be open
the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
from midnight till 1 a.m. on the night of the book's
and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
release as well. (248) 540-4209.
"Harry Potter books have appealing characters, perilous
situations and outcomes that are long in doubt, and Jews

Educator Esti Pastor recognizes
Jewish connections to a
publishing phenomenon.

Ilir

