to college, Dubey, a cellular and molecular biology major, is pursuing a minor
in Judaic studies.
"I wanted to learn about Judaism from a historical point of view. I wasn't
planning on it, really. I just decided to do it because I heard Jewish history was
very interesting and I wanted to learn more about it," she said.
Intensive Study
Dubey, who is living in Ann Arbor, working and taking classes for her second
consecutive summer, is also broadening her Jewish knowledge by studying in
Israel on a six-week intensive learning program where there are "no distractions
and a chance to learn at a faster pace."
"There are so many levels — it just never ends. I could keep studying forever
and never learn enough," she said. "Whenever I learn something new, I try to
think of how it applies to me personally and what it would change in my life if
I applied it."
Her parents and sister support her study plans. "Mom's 100 percent support-
ive," and her father said "he'll help me out in any way" with her Israel trip.
Judaism, she said, has taught her a lot about being herself. "I feel like I'm
more at peace. I think there was a degree of chaos before, where now I don't
feel that so much."
Dubey has started wearing long skirts to conform to traditional Jewish cus-
toms on modesty. "Judaism wants you to not focus on your physical appear-
ance so much. You're more respected if you're not looked at as a physical being.
Then people look at you as a soul in a body, that's how I look at -it."
It has also made her "more comfortable with myself and I'm less focused on
my appearance. I feel like I respect myself more."
More changes are on the way. She has moved to a new apartment, with a
kosher kitchen, "two sets of dishes and two separate places to wash dishes."
Next on her list: shomer Shabbat (being Sabbath observant).
"That's a big handful. That's enough for me for right now," she said.
When Dubey started staying in on Saturdays instead of going to the coffee
shop to study, her two-year roommate, Monika Patel, saw positive changes.
Reading religious texts with Dubey has become a popular pastime in the
apartment and Patel, from India and a Hindu, is impressed with the way her
roommate has taken Judaism to heart.
"She was really excited about learning about her history, her roots and the
Jewish community," Patel said. "She's so involved in it and passionate about
it.
The Jewish Resource Center's Rabbi Aaron Eisemann, who has been teach-
ing Dubey for more than a year, praised her desire to know more than just the
basics. "It was beautiful to see. As soon as she was aware of her Judaism, she
really took it seriously and really wanted to get every piece of it and every
angle of it and to be a very knowledgeable Jew. She wanted to do it right," he
said. "Whenever there's a class, anything, she's there."
Dubey plans to continue her Jewish studies as a central focus of her life and
hopes to share her knowledge and enthusiasm with others.
"Judaism itself is a very powerful tool if you know how to use it and if you
apply it to your life," she said. "For me, it is the ideal way to live your life, to
try to be the best person you can be." El
.
LOUNGE & GRILL
248.669.2263
1403 S.
Commerce Road in Walled Lake
Just. North of Pontiac Trail (Formerly Nifty Normans)
Ntr \VW.
affinitylounge.peachhost.com
Jewish Federation Applauds 3 Leaders
Each year, the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit recognizes three
young leaders for their involvement and
leadership skills in the Jewish communi-
ty. The 2002 awards will be given at the
Cicurel
Bernard
Giles
joint meeting of the boards of the Jewish
Federation and its finance arm, the
United Jewish Foundation, in the fall.
Honorees are: Sari Cicurel, Sylvia
Simon Greenberg Award; Dennis
Bernard, Frank A. Wetsman Award; and
Barbra Giles, Mark Family Award.
Cicurel of West Bloomfield is an inde-
pendent film producer. She won the
Mark Family Award in 1999. She is a
member of Federation's Board of
Governors, board member of the
Women's Department, member of the
Partnership 2000 Michigan Steering
Committee and a solicitor for
Federation's Annual Campaign.
She was co-chair of the Women's
Department Spring Forum Leadership
Series 2002. She served as president of
the Young Adult Division (YAD) in
1997-1998.
Bernard of Birmingham is president of
Bernard Financial Group Inc. in
Southfield, a commercial mortgage
finance company. He has been president
of JVS since 1999 and a board member
since 1997.
A long-term solicitor for Federation's
Annual Campaign, he is a former presi-
dent of YAD, and now a board member
of Federation. He served on the
Commission on Jewish Eldercare
Services, the Culture and Group Services
Division and the UJC Young Leadership
Cabinet. Bernard received the 1989
William Boesky Young Leadership
Award from the former Junior Division.
Giles is the administrator of Jewish
Home and Aging Services, where she
also serves as Federation's Annual
Campaign coordinator. She has
served on YAD's general and execu-
tive boards since 1997, and oversees
its social and volunteer committees.
She has been a member of YAD's
Couples Committee since 2000, as
well as a singles' mission to Israel
participant in 1998 and a trip leader
in 1999.
Giles -has served as the YAD board liai-
son to the Women's Department of
Federation since 2001.
HaPpenings
For college age thru 30-something.
Aug. 1 Thursday, 7-9 p.m. Young
Adult Division "MadlAbout Mosaics"
at You're Fired on Orchard Lake Road,
West Bloomfield. For people new to
Detroit within the last year. $10 plus
cost of piece.RSVP: Jonathan
Goldstein, (248 ) 203-1471.
Aug. 6 Tuesday, 6-8 p.m. Hillel Metro
Detroit Summer Schmooze, Crestview
Park, Birmingham. RSVP:
hillelpd@wayne.edu
Aug. 18 Sunday, 1-4 p.m. Hillel Metro
Detroit BBQ at Kensington
Metropark, Milford. Cost: $5. RSVP:
hillelpd@wayne.edu
Aug. 23 Friday. Young Adult Division
Shul Crawl at Congregation Shir
Tikvah. Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg, re-
newal service, dessert kiddush. RSVP:
Alaine Waldshan, (248) 203-1486.
.
GRILL
Lunch: Tuesday thru Saturday l'lam-2pm
Dinner: Tuesday thru Saturday 5pm-10pm • Sunday Brunch l Opm-2pm
LOUNGE
Wednesdays starting July 24 ROBERT KNOLL -Detroit's
Friday & Saturday: DJ or live bands
King of
the blues
7/26
638540
2002
99