e

' t N111:1

PAYING IT FORWARD

No Question
About It

Second-graders at Yeshivat Akiva create
custom pillows for their Passover seders.

DIANA LIEBERMAN
Copy Editor/Education Writer

KRISTA HUSA
Staff Photographer

t's right there in the Four
Questions: "On all other
nights, we eat either sitting
straight or leaning. On this
night, we are
required to lean."
This year,
teacher Anna
Greenfield of
Yeshivat Akiva in
Southfield thought
of a project that
would bring home
to her second-
graders just what it
means to recline.
For the last few
weeks before
Passover, each one
created a hand-
embroidered pil-
low to use at their
family seders. It was the first time
some of them had handled a needle,
but, by the first night of Passover,
each child was able to recline like a
member of nobility. ❑

Clockwise from top left•
Rachel Miller, 8, of West Bloomfield
concentrates on her needlepoint.

Justin Kelman, 8, of Southfield stitches
a design on his Passover pillow.

Michelle Shumunov, 8, of Southfield
gets some help from teacher Anna
Greenfield.

4/12
2002

42

from page 41

port was a new friend of
treatment course, the
Matt, Keith Bernacki, 25,
next step is involve-
of Birmingham, whom
ment in the American
Roberta Lash calls one of
Cancer Society's West
Matt's "chemo room-
Bloomfield Relay for
mates."
Life, in which he par-
"He has the same cancer
ticipated last June. He
as Matt," she says. "He
spoke at a March
has been successful in his
organizational meet-
battle, even with the
ing for this year's
recurrence in his lungs
event to gain funds
(experienced also by Matt). His parents
for cancer research.
(Dr. Edward and Karen Bernacki)
For Roberta Lash, being surrounded
came, too."
by those who care and those
Unbeknownst to the Lashes,
are
making a difference is
Matt L ash
North Farmington High
inspirational. "This is a begin-
of Nov i with
School, where Matt was a stu-
ning of a network of people
Jackie Ruscitti
dent before beginning current
extending
themselves to those
ofPo w erhouse
studies at Michigan State
who
find
they
are in the bat-
Gym i n West
University in East Lansing,
tle
against
cancer,"
she says.
Bloo m field.
held a "Dollar for Matt Day,"
Her hope is that with each
with students raising $800,
show of support she receives,
which they donated to the fund.
she'll be able to turn around and help
In addition to spinners, some of
someone else.
whom rode for two, three or four
hours, the event led by Powerhouse
To make a donation, send check,
manager Jackie Ruscitti and personal
payable to Matthew Lash
trainer Barb Kane, included 15 minute
Foundation, 41677 Sleepy
massages offered for $20 donations.
Hollow Dr., Novi, MI 48377.
For Matt, who continues to work
out and attend classes throughout his

❑

Spirituality Forum:
Forum Focuses
Personal Connection On Disabilities

The Jewish Women's Foundation of
Metropolitan Detroit is sponsoring a
forum, Wednesday, April 24, on "What
Does Judaism Mean to You: The Power
of Personal Connection."
It will be held 8:45 a.m. to noon at
the Fleischman Residence/Blumberg
Plan, 6710 W. Maple Road, West
Bloomfield.
Guest speakers include Rabbi Lauren
Berkun, Jewish Theological Seminary of
America Midwest Rabbinic Fellow,
speaking on Conservative Judaism and
the topic of mikvah; Karen Greenberg,
who with her husband Sid, has put
together a Kabbalah course, will discuss
"Mysticism and Kabbalah"; Rabbi
Marla Hornsten of Temple Israel will
speak on Reform Judaism; Rabbi
Tamara Kolton of the Birmingham
Temple will speak on Secular
Humanism; and artist Deana Sperka
will speak on Orthodox Judaism.
Tickets are $15 per person and
include a kosher continental breakfast.
Registration by April 14 is required.
For information, call. Rosann Barak,
(248) 642-4260.

A program titled "Securing the
Future: Financial and Estate
Planning for Families of Individuals
with Disabilities," will take place 7 -
9:30 p.m. Thursday, April 18, at the
Max M. Fisher Federation Building,
Bloomfield Township.
The program will teach how to
maximize resources for individuals
with disabilities. Financial planning
experts will discuss government ben-
efits, estate planning and pooled
account trusts.
Sponsored by the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit,
in partnership with JARC, Kadima,
JVS and Jewish Family Service, this
program is made possible by a gift
from the Jewish Fund.
Representatives from the sponsoring
agencies will answer questions about
services for individuals with disabili-
ties.
Admission is free and refresh-
ments will be served. Registration is
required by Monday, April 15. Call
Pat Mayer, (248) 203-1519.