READERS'CHOICES video recordings of happy Jewish life-cycle events, such as weddings, b'nai mitzvah, brit milah and baby-naming ceremonies. Owner David Newman and his staff also provide videography for in-house trainings, commercials, legal deposi- tions and exhibits. Their latest product is blowing up documents to make into poster-sized images, often used as party sign-in boards. Claim To Fame: Superb editing Other Choices: TONE-e Creative Video Productions PARTY PLANNER DeeDee Hoffman Party Design West Bloomfield (248) 855-6582 "DeeDee Hoffman knows her stuff. She has anything you would want for a party, and does it the most efficient- ly of anyone we've dealt with. It was a true pleasure working with her on a bar mitzvah and several parties at our home. On a 1 to 10 scale, I'd give her a 20." Marshall Blau, Bingham Farms In business for 21 years this September, DeeDee Hoffman and her staff are known for putting on memorable occasions. They can handle the plan- ning for weddings, b'nai mitzvah and other special events. As needed, Hoffman Party Design will assist with event themes, facilities, invitations, linen design, band booking and more. They will arrange hotel boxes and itineraries for out-of- town guests. Claim To Fame: Attention to detail Other Choices: Gail Ball, Andrea Solomon INVITATION Lee's Specialty Bloomfield Hills (248) 646-6700 Located across from Shain Park, the Townsend Hotel exudes European elegance and charm, while providing American comfort. Features include antique-style furnishings, marble floors, Waterford crystal chandeliers, Egyptian cotton bed sheets, deep marble tubs and suites with full kitchens. There's a 24-hour concierge and state- of-the-art exercise facility. The Rugby Grille serves Continental cuisine. Claim To Fame: Favored by visiting celebrities Other Choices: Ritz-Carlton, Hotel Baronette, DoubleTree Novi JUST JEWISH "They did the invitations for both of my daughters' bat mitzvahs, and also for their weddings. We received won- derful personal service and I love the quality of their merchandise." Shelley Wainer, West Bloomfield Lee's Specialty, owned by Solange Messelian, is known for its huge selection of invitations and stationery for weddings, showers, b'nai mitzvah, births and virtually every other occasion in a vari- ety of styles and price ranges. In addition to cus- tom and special orders, they carry a large in-store inventory of invitations and stationery. Calligraphy, both by hand and machine, is also available. Claim To Fame: Personal service — trained staff members work with each customer to find just the right merchandise to suit both taste and budget. Other Choices: Deborah's Invitations, Greetings From... HOTEL Townsend Hotel Birmingham (248) 248-642-7900 JEWISH AUTHOR Philip Roth "I love his books because they are so filled with passion and rage. There's such depth to his work that it can be read on many different levels." Dale Alpert Rubin, Huntington Woods Philip Roth is a prolific American novelist and short story writer who has won numerous awards for his work, much of which has a Jewish theme. The turning point of his career came in 1969, with the release of the movie version of his novella, Goodbye, Columbus, and the publication of one of his best-known novels, Portnoy's Complaint, which received a great deal of criticism for its negative portrayal of the Jewish mother. Claim To Fame: Philip Roth won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1997 for his novel, American Pastoral. Other Choices: Chaim Potok, Jonathan Kellerman JEWISH COOKBOOK Joan Nathan "We're lucky to have such a beautiful hotel in downtown Birmingham, where we can put up visitors. The food is marvelous. The cakes and pas- tries are outstanding." Sandra Posner, Huntington Woods 18 • sot RCHBooti 2 0 0 3 - 2 Hwang Im of Mene Sushi puts the final touches -014"AMIne Roll. 4 "I enjoy looking through cookbooks for recipes, meal planning ideas, etc. Joan Nathan's cookbooks contain deli- cious-sounding meals without a lot of complexity." Frank Hoffman, Farmington Hills Joan Nathan, a nationally acclaimed cookbook author, is host and executive producer of the tele- vision series Jewish Cooking in America With Joan Nathan. The series is based on her award- winning Jewish Cooking in America. She's also written The Jewish Holiday Baker, The Children's Jewish Holiday Kitchen, The Jewish Holiday Kitchen and The Flavor of Jerusalem. Claim To Fame: Expert in Jewish cooking Other Choices: Temple Israel cookbook, Adat Shalom Synagogue cookbook JEWISH COMEDIAN Jerry Seinfeld "Seinfeld was the best comedy show I've seen in the almost 50 years I've been watching television. Every one of the characters was great, including Newman." — Jerry Rosenthal, West Bloomfield Jerry Seinfeld, a native of Brooklyn, launched his comedy career when he became a regular guest on Late Night with David Letterman and the Tonight Show, after years of doing odd jobs and performing stand-up comedy in clubs, sometimes without pay. In 1990, he created the now-famous Emmy-winning "show about nothing," with part- ner Larry David. Seinfeld, now a husband and father, is still active as an author and stand-up comic. Claim To Fame: Seinfeld remained at the top of the ratings right up until its ninth — and final — season. Other Choices: Jackie Mason, Billy Crystal JEWISH COMMUNITY EVENT Detroit Jewish Community Center Jewish Book Fair Held annually each November at the Jewish Community Centers in Oak Park and West Bloomfield (248) 661-1000 (West Bloomfield), (248) 967-4030 (Oak Park) "I look forward to going every year because of the wonderful speakers and the great variety of books. I know if there's anything new in the Jewish book world, I'll find it there."