Clockwise from to left:
Gabrielle Faintich, 5, of West Bloomfield,
shows off her balloon.
"Lotsa Dots" puts on a new face for Kyla Klein,
4, of Walled Lake.
Horn-blowing family is Ericka Beletskiy of
West Bloomfield with son Jordan, 1, and Andy
Beletskiy with son Noah, 2.
Temple Israel throws
early New Year's Eve party
for all generations.
Ashley Ellentuck, 4, of West Bloomfield twirls
in delight.
LESLIE ZACK
College Intern
T
trig
1/5
2001
emple Israel's first-ever Family New
Year's Eve party, "Blast Off to
2001," was a huge success, drawing
500 people representing several generations.
"We had activities and projects geared towards family
participation and togetherness," said Kari Provizer, direc-
tor of Temple Israel's Family Life Center.
Activities, led by MO parent volunteers, included face
painting, floor hockey, and arts and crafts. Rabbis Paul
Yedwab, Joshua Bennett and Marla Hornsten also took
part.
"I think it's a great idea to have a place to take children
and I took my kids, Carly, 5 and Ian, 10. I wanted to be
a part of the evening and make it bright and exciting," .
said Randi Simko of Farmington Hills. She chaired the
decorating committee.
"We geared the party toward children by planning an
8 p.m. countdown," said Provizer.
She said the "early midnight" allowed parents to cele-
brate with their children and still have time to go to other
evening celebrations.
The evening ended with 500 balloons dropping from
the ceiling outside the sanctuary. "It really was midnight
here at Temple Israel, and what a night it was," Provizer
said. 'All who missed it are saying that they missed 'the
event of the year.'"
❑
Right: Gayle Goodman.ofWest Bloomfield,
with daughter Nicole, 5, help decorate.