Announcing the recipient On The Bookshelf of the 2001 UMS Distinguished Artist Award Presented at the Ford Honors Program The Heart Of The Soul CELEBRATING THE ART OF SILENCE In the realm of the spirit we have a soul print that belongs to us alone, says Rabbi Marc Gafili. Saturday, May 12, 6 pm Hill Auditorium & Ingalls Mall SAN D EE B RAWARS KY Special to the Jewish News The world's greatest mime returns to T Ann Arbor for a special tribute honoring more than 50 years of genius. Marcel he title of Rabbi Marc Gafni's new book coins a term that he hopes will become part of our vocabu- lary, consciousness and conversation: Marceau,"not merely the greatest star mime of the century, but an icon of Western culture," (Los Angeles Times) has been selected to receive the 2001 Distinguished Artist Award at the Ford Honors Program. A special gala benefit dinner- follows the performance, with all proceeds benefiting the UMS Education and Audience Development Program. Tickets are available now through the UMS Box Office: • 734-764-2538 Additional information online at www.ums.org. c`l.brat _igekii•Weinteal", Mind The Ford Honors Program is made possible by YOU'LL ENJOY TOM'S GREAT CHAMPAGNE SUNDAY BRUNCH 11 a.m. to 220 p.m. every Sunday • Omelet Station • Dessert Station • Carving Station • Breakfast Items • Assorted Hot Entrees • Assorted Veggies & Starch • Assorted Salads • Seafood Station • Complimentary Champagne ADULTS $21.95 . SENIORS $18.95 • CHILDREN 12 & UNDER $9.95 7 Reservations are recommended! 29106 Franklin Rd.. at Northwestern Hwy.. Southfield For reserva Uno'8 Chicago bar C4 Grill 1 /2 OFF r 1 Any Menu Item when a 2nd menu item of equal or greofer value is purchased Not goad with any other offer. Expires December 31, 2001 Valid Anytime • Dine in Only — 4/27 2001 70 6745 ORCHARD LAKE RD. Across from Americana West , c4100a* Ir^ r //' (248) 737-7242 Soul Prints: Your Path to Fulfillment (Pocket; $24.95). A soul print is a spiritual signature, the trace of a soul's presence. Just as every fingerprint is unique, so is a soul print. "The idea is rooted very powerfully in kabbalistic tradition," the Jerusalem- based rabbi says in an interview. American-born Rabbi Gafni is the dean of the Melitz Public Culture Study Center in Jerusalem and, as he writes, he's been "deemed a bit of a maverick." In addition to teaching, he hosts a show air- ing weekly on Israeli television called Under His Vine. (When he moved to Israel 12 years ago, he changed his name from Winiarz — which means winemaker in Polish — to a Hebrew equiva- lent, Gafni.) Each week, he engages a public figure from the worlds of politics, sports, journalism or the arts in serious, passionate study of bibli- cal themes. Although he has been ordained twice in Orthodoxy; he considers himself a trans-denomi- national rabbi. He adds that he is per- sonally halachically committed. Rabbi Gafni's approach in Soul Prints is at once philosophical, mysti- cal, biblical, literary and personal. The book aims to guide readers toward greater soul-awareness, to live more meaningfully and, in doing so, to impact on the state of the world. It's more contemplative and textured than a book of self-improvement, more practical and geared to personal growth than a scholarly work. He tells lots of stories (what he calls biblical myths), Chasidic and kabbalistic tales and anecdotes from his own life, never reticent about admitting his own flaws. Making references to wide-rang- ing sources from psychiatrist Carl Jung to poet Stanley Kunitz, he builds a case for the soul's need for connection, to move from loneliness toward love. For Rabbi Gafni, myth is "an under- lying imprimatur of reality," and biblical myths are archetypes for understanding the world. Throughout the book, he discusses the suite of levado (he trans- lates as lonely) stories in the Torah, including the beginning Genesis text and experiences of Jacob, Moses and Of God, drawing contemporary messages. "For me, Bible study isn't ritual," he writes. "It's a personal quest into a world of complexity, pain, love betray- al, and the towering characterizations of archetypal humans. Those humans are not objects or observations but liv- ing guides who invite us into passion- ate conversation." In soul print terminology, he writes of the need for individuals to commu- nicate authentically and share their In "Soul Prints," Rabbi Marc Gafni uses spiritual stories to teach us how to live flitter, happier lives. The book inspired a television special that recently aired on PBS. soul prints as a way to overcome lone- liness. He emphasizes that every soul has a unique story and unique calling, and urges readers to know and live their own stories, to find their callings. His talk is full of references to his new term: soul print living, soul print moments, soul print misdemeanors, soul print revelations. Throughout the book, Rabbi Gafni includes shaded sidebars that include quotes pulled from the text and "Soul Print Practice," activities for readers, like making relevant lists, answering questions or creating a "soul print box" filled with meaningful objects. Although Soul Prints is based very much on Jewish sources ; the rabbi sees it of interest to non-Jewish audiences as well, and will be addressing many church as well as synagogue groups. Rabbi Gafni spent his childhood in Columbus, Ohio, and moved to New York City on his own at age 13 to