For Openers USY Memories Revisited clut K now © 2003 9 LORI WEISS Special to the Jewish News D ozens of Metro Detroiters made their way April 4-6 to a United Synagogue Youth reunion they had dreamed about for years. Former Detroiter Karen Moss Hale coordi- nated the gathering in Cleveland that drew more than 70 people from around the world, all former members of USY's Central Region. The weekend began unofficially on Friday in the Holiday Inn-Beechwood's restaurant as a group of Detroiters gathered for dinner and waited for old friends to arrive. "The weather was so bad, we decided to just hang out at the hotel the first night," said Farmington Hills' Margi Fridson Weinhaus, still smiling as she recalls the Louis Peerless of Cincinnati and Kenny Lerner of Portland, Ore., play some of the old memories. "We were having dinner when USY favorites on guitar; while alums enjoy. Top row: Judge Susan Moiseev of Southfield this guy walks in and says, Well, I recognize Mark Davis of West Bloomfield and Margi Fridson Weinhaus of Farmington Hills. Gary Docks and Margi.' I didn't have a clue Sitting: Debbie Robbins of West Bloomfield Roberta Trattner of Indianapolis, Randee who he was. Then Debbie Robbins said, 'It's Green Lipman and Brenda Steirn Altus, both of West Bloomfield. Kenny Lerner!' I couldn't believe I didn't rec- ognize my old boyfriend. But he didn't have As Shabbat came to an end, the entire group gathered at white hair back then." Congregation Shaarey Tikvah for Havdalah services, dinner, a Before the night was through, the group gathered in the candlelighting ceremony and lots of memories. hotel's hospitality suite, catching up on memories and taking a 'Almost everyone who lit a candle said the same thing, how step back in time. USY brought us together," Mark Davis of West Bloomfield "Kenny Lerner and Louie Peerless got out their guitars and said. "It gave us a sense of Judaism, a sense of identity that so we started singing all the songs we used to sing around the many of us have maintained still today. campfire," Weinhaus recalled. As the weekend came to an end, the tears began to flow. The By Saturday, the hospitality suite was flooding out into the USY alums gathered in a peace circle, the way they had so hall, as alumni, ranging from 1955 to 1977, hugged and many times before. screamed the way they had so many times before at regional `As we began to sing 'Shalom Chaverim' (Goodbye Friends), conventions and at camp. I saw myself 40 years ago standing in this same circle outside of "We were sitting around the hospitality room and it was like a hotel," Hale said, with tears in her eyes. ❑ being at a Halloween party," Debbie Robbins of West USY alums from the classes of 1973-78 interested in Bloomfield said. "You knew that there were people on the attending a Detroit reunion should send an e-mail to inside that you knew, but you couldn't recognize them under- DetUSYreunion@aol.com neath the costumes!" Shabbat Candlelighting Lisa Aiken, librarian, Southfield Sponsored by Lubavitch Women's Organization. complimentary candlesticks and information on Shabbat Candlelighting Candlelighting Friday, April 18, 7.59 p. in. Friday, April 25, 8:07 p.m. Shabbat Ends Shabbat Ends Saturday, April 19, 9:05 p. Saturday April 26, 9:14 p. in. [ candlelighting, call Miriam Amzaktk of Oak Park at (248) 967-5056 or e - mail: marnzalak@juno.corn — by Goldfine uospuE12-1ua.i2 s‘ tfroN cgaeptis auruu nnaigaH aril Luau paidnnop - sr apytaAjo luvciaapv Q111 UT .P1DETELID )poikqs alp jo aureu at1Z :Tammy Quotables "Eventually, there will be a Palestinian state. I view things first and foremost from our perspective. I do not think that we have to rule over another peo- ple and run their lives. I do not think that we have the strength for that. It is a very heavy burden on the public and it raises ethical problems and heavy economic problems." — Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in a Ha'aretz interview on April 13. Yiddish Limericks An unemployed fella named Burk Was told by a government clerk, "Don't feel so bereft Without a gesheft.* Nishtgedeiget!** We'll find you some work." — Martha Jo Fleischmann "Lighting Shabbat candles every Friday night is a time where I feel empowered. Little me can make a difference; I am bringing my share of light into this dark and confused world." To submit a candlelighting message or to receive hat do thereat- grandson of the bibli- cal Noah and a main character in a famous Shakespearean play have in corn- mon? * business ** Don't worry! Yiddish-isms shnorrer A beggar; a panhandler; a moocher; a cheapskate; a chiseler. Source: From The New Joys of Yiddish by Leo Calvin Rosten, edited by Lawrence Bush, copyright 2001, by the Rosten Family LLC. Used by per- mission of the Rosten Family LLC. 0 4/18 2003 7