This Week For Openers Chanukah Surprise! n arold Rothenberg is a trouble- maker — not evil one, but the funny kind. The kind who loves to surprise people, espe- cially at his store's Chanukah celebration. "Hersh," as he is known, owns Hersh's, a contemporary women's clothing store on the Boardwalk in West Bloomfield. SHARON "Every year, his employee Chanukah LUC KERMAN party is a secret till the last minute," Staff Writer says Ellen Wolfe of Farmington Hills, who has worked for Hersh part time for 10 years, even though she has another job. "But this year, it was a real extravaganza," she says. But it didn't start out that way. Hersh hired a limo to pick up his six employees and take them to Dunkin' Donuts. The women included Arlene Weiss, Joan Shiffman, and Dore Sallen, all of Farmington Hills; Jodi Grodman of Commerce Township and Janie Weinfuss of West Bloomfield. They ranged in age from 40-70. Hersh is in his early 40s. - "We all knew this was only the beginning," Wolfe said. But they had no idea what was coming next. They were only told to clear the day, wear comfortable clQthes and meet at the store by 11 a.m. Filled with sweets and coffee, Hersh and his women were loaded back into the limo and driven to Scher Delights in Southfield, where you not only eat chocolate, but also make your own choco late fantasy. The women donned aprons and began to create. What they didn't eat off their fingers went into a box to take home. With their sugar levels rising, what better thing to do next than take in a movie called Honey. From there, to work up an appetite, the women climbed back into the limo and went downtown to the MGM Casino in Detroit. Each got $20 starter money - from their boss to gamble. Back in the limo, Hersh and his crew squeezed in one more experience before dinner — a visit to the new downtown department store called Julian Scott. Then, finally, it was time to eat, and they were driven to a new Detroit restaurant, Atlas Global Bistro on Woodward, not far from the Fox Theatre. Once they were well wined and dined, Hersh's party piled back into their car and motored down to Detroit's State Theatre to hear Brian Setzer. For those unfamiliar with the name, Wolfe told them, "He's loud, and he's a rock singer." He also fronts a 17-piece Grammy Award- winning big band. After the concert, a tired but happy crew piled into the limo for the last time and headed home. Along the way, Hersh passed out more gifts. But this year, it will be Hersh, him- self, who will get the last surprise. His crew turned the tables and decided to surprise their boss by telling their story to the Jewish News. I T he ancient Scroll of Esther tells the joyous story of the Jews being saved from the evil Haman, and it is read in the synagogue on Purim. There is anoth- er ancient scroll that tells the story of a different Jewish historical event with a joyous ending. It, however, is not read in the synagogue on the holiday commem- orating it. Can you name it? — Goldfein -XEplloq age uo peal you sr lnq ctiminurqD Jo LIO1S atp sllaa careauo-uisEH alp jp,..4-tons ap umomf oslo csntpopuy jo rips j:JaivisTry Quotables "We are too close to the Jews for anti- Semitism to develop. Greeks are gen- erally more in sympathy with the Palestinians, but they like the Jews." —George Vizos, Greek Orthodox church leader; in response to efforts to build stronger ties between the Jewish and Greek communities in South Africa; quoted by JTA Yiddish Limericks Last Chanukah, someone named Lynn Was giving her dreidel` a spin. She slipped on a knadle** And fell on the dreidel, And that's how she fractured her shin.*** — Martha Jo Fleischmann Shabbat Candlelighting "When I light the Shabbos candles with my daughter, it brings back the wonderful memories of lighting the candles with my mother and anticipating the beauty of Shabbat." — Celia Lubetsky, Jewish communal volunteer, West Bloomfield Sponsored by Lubavitch Women's Organization. To submit a candlelighting message or to receive complimentary candlesticks and irformation on Shabbat candlelighting, call Miriam Arnzalak of Oak Park at (248) 548 6771 or e-mail: mainzalakuno.com - AtArnw**- 12/26 2003 10 1 Candlelighting Friday, Dec. 26, 4:47 p.m. Shabbat Ends Saturday, Dec. 27, 5:54 p.m. Candlelighting Friday, Jan. 2, 4:53 p.m. Shabbat Ends Saturday, Jan. 3, 5:59 p.m. a four-sided top played with on Chanukah ** a matzah ball *** a Hebrew letter on dreidels (used outside of Israel) and standing for shahm, meaning "there." Yiddish-isms bulba Literally, a potato; also an error, a faux pas. 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.