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December 21, 2001 - Image 35

Resource type:
Text
Publication:
The Detroit Jewish News, 2001-12-21

Disclaimer: Computer generated plain text may have errors. Read more about this.

INSIDE:

Community
Calendar

39

Mazel
Toy!

40

Torch Bearers

Four Jewish Detroiters take part in national run to light the Olympic Torch.

BILL CARROLL
Special to the Jewish News

I

n their own special way, four local Jews have
‘`made" the U.S. Olympic team for the
2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake
City, Utah.
One is a physician who has been an avid runner
for 30 years. He's known as "Dr. Rock" because he
takes care of all of the rock groups and singers
who appear in the Detroit area. Another is a great-
grandmother. The other two are a retired couple
who will join with their daughter to comprise an
Olympic family trio.
The four were nominated and selected to be
among 275 Michiganians who will carry the
Olympic Torch while it goes across the state as
part of a monumental Olympic Torch Relay spon-
sored by Chevrolet. The four will carry the flame
for two-tenths of a mile — about two city blocks
— running or walking, starting at 2 p.m., Sunday,
Jan. 6, on Main Street in Royal Oak.
The flame was lit Nov. 19 in Olympia, Greece,
site of the original 1896 Olympics, and came Dec.
4 to Atlanta, Ga., where the 1996 Summer
Olympics were held. About 11,500 torchbearers
are carrying the flame through 250 U.S. cities in
46 states, covering 13,500 miles in 65 days. The
journey ends Feb. 8 in Salt Lake City.
Last spring, Chevy launched a contest for peo-
ple to nominate any individual to be a torchbearer
through an essay describing how the candidates
inspired others. Winners were notified in October.
The local participants are elated to be involved
in the pre-Olympics festivities.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience which I
will always cherish," said Dr. Ted Schwartzenfeld,
55, of West Bloomfield. "I feel very honored to
have been chosen to carry the torch. It's a big
event and I'm happy to be involved."
Gretl Frank, 87, of Southfield, said: "It's a won-
derful honor, and it really means a lot to me. I'm
doing a great deal of exercising to get ready."
Bedonna and Bob Perish of Farmington are
"thrilled to death and very emotional" about the
prospect of participating. They plan to make the
event a family affair because their daughter,
Meredith, of Washington, D.C., also will take
part.

Marathon Man

Dr. Schwartzenfeld is an ear, nose and
throat specialist with five offices in the
Detroit metro area. Married with three
college-age children, he was nominated
by his daughter, Debbie, a Wayne State
University education student. She and the
rest of the family will be cheering him on
during his torch-bearing stint.
He's been an avid jogger for almost 30
years and has participated in several
marathons, including the New York
Marathon. "I got started as a runner
because I wanted
to get into shape
and stay healthy,"
he explained. "I
still run six days a
week for 45 min-
utes to an hour
each time."
Dr.
Schwartzenfeld is
living proof that
running apparently
is safer than bicy-
cling. While run-
ning, he "shred-
ded" his Achilles
tendon, requiring
two surgeries and
rehabilitation.
During his recu-
peration, he began
riding a bike —
and got hit by a
car. "Fortunately,
my injuries were
not serious and I'm back to my normal jogging
routine," he said.
A graduate of the Kansas City (Mo.) School of
Osteopathy, he acquired the "Dr. Rock" nick-
name by spending the last 25 years taking care of
the many rock groups and singers who play the
various Detroit-area concert venues. Included are
Elton John, Billy Joel, the Rolling Stones, KISS,
Aerosmith and others . . . even Madonna's daugh-
ter during her recent concert.
"A friend once called me to help examine a
TORCH on page 36

Bob and &gonna Perish

12/21
2001

35

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