WE WE KNOW Jewish On Ice? SUZANNE CHESSLER Special to the Jewish News hree top figure skating con- tenders at the Salt Lake City Olympics, all apparently with Jewish heritage, are starring in the John Hancock Champions on Ice 2002 Olympic Tour stopping Saturday, April 27, at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Sarah Hughes, Sasha Cohen and Irina Slutskaya, whose Jewish backgrounds were reported by newspaper journalist Ami Eden in the New York-based READ being Jewish, and that her mother, a breast cancer survivor, has said the fami- ly doesn't practice religion but leans toward Judaism. Cohen, 17, whose given name is Alexandra Pauline, began in sports as a gymnast picking up on the interest of her mother and maternal grandfather, both from Ukraine. She switched to skating when she was 7, also training with ballet classes. Based in California, she is said to be included in a family membership in a Reform congregation although, report- edly, she never had a bat mitzvah. EXACTLY BETWEEN WHAT THE YOU LINES WANT Sarah Hughes Sasha Cohen Forward, will perform in numbers cho- sen by the Olympians themselves. Hughes, this year's Olympic gold medalist, will skate to "I'll Never Say Goodbye," sung by Maureen McGovern. Slutskaya, a silver medal- ist, will take the ice to "Cotton Eyed Joe," recorded by Rednex. Cohen, who ended the winter competition in fourth place, chose "Hernando's Hideaway," as sung by Ella Fitzgerald. Hughes, 16, whose Jewish heritage is traced to her mother, Amy Pasternack Hughes, began skating when she was 3, following the interests of her older brothers and sisters as the fourth of six children. She balances training with honors courses at Great Neck High School in New York State and plays the violin in the school orchestra. Although Hughes, whose father is not Jewish, has been quoted as saying her favorite holiday is Christmas, it is reported that her two older brothers cel- ebrated their bar mitzvah. It also is reported that her mother and maternal grandparents talk freely about Irina Slutskaya Slutskaya, 23, began skating in Moscow when she was 5 and reached many competitive firsts, including a performance of a triple Salchow-triple toe combination. Although she was married in a Catholic chapel, she is said not to prac- tice religion. While she crossed herself after each Olympic routine, she report- edly sometimes wears a Jewish star, traces her Jewish heritage to her father's side of the family and travels to Israel to visit aunts and uncles. Also appearing in the Detroit show are Jewish skater and Huntington Woods native Dan Hollander, U.S. bronze medalists Timothy Goebel and Michelle Kwan, Michael Weiss, Nicole Bobek, Elvis Stojko and many more. O The John Hancock Champions on Ice 2002 Olympic Tour appears 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 27, at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. $30- $65. (313) 983-6606. GREAT FIRST DATES FOR OVER 10 YEARS! Pamela lankr Director Brennan Adams Director Heather Hill Director ofilt Nancy Kirsch Director T LUNCH r life, love & dessert!' Dating for Busy Professionals ® 35 Locations Nationwide Detroit 248.273.1000 For a fun, unique franchise opportunity: 619.234.7200 TwT 4/26 2002 67