Plaid For Passover DOER LARISAR B City: Farmington Hills Kudos: Flair For Art An artist who creates everything from jewelry to Judaica to bath soap to wedding gowns, Larisa Rubel gave up a career as a high school chemistry teacher and laboratory technologist to pursue her true _passion — art. How did you come to create Congregation Shaarey Zedek Southfield's bayn gavrah — the covering placed atop an open Torah while it's not being read? "The sisterhood was looking for someone to make the covering, so I volunteered to design and embroi- der it with the . theme of the 12 Tribes. I made it in the shape of trian- gles, like the out- Larisa Rubel, in the sanctuary at side of the syna- Shaarey Zedek, displays the gogue. " Torah covering she created. How did you become involved in Judaic art? "Fourteen years ago, I came here from the former Soviet Union — from Uzbekistan. Making Jewish art gives me the opportunity to learn more about my religion that I couldn't learn there." HoW do you stay involved in new areas of art? "When I see things I like, I make my own versions of them. I made my daughter Marina's prom dress last year. Two years ago, I made a special kippah for my son Roman's bar mitzvah, and when I couldn't find a matching tie, I just made one. I also apply my knowledge in science to make candles and bath and body products." Where can your artwork be viewed? "At craft shows — the next one is at Temple Israel on Sunday, April 25 — or on my Web site: jevvelrybylarisa.com — Shelli Liebman Dorfman, staff writer REPORT A DOER... Know a Doer -- someone of any age doing interest- ing, meaningful things in their life outside of their job? Share suggestions with Keri Guten Cohen, story development editor, at (248) 351-5144 or e-mail: kcohen@thejewishnews.com 4/ 9 2004 10 hen 15-year- old Elliot Weingarten of Bloomfield Hills packed his bags for a school trip to Scotland this week, he included some curious items: a trombone, a cold-pack, cheese and lots of SHELLI cans of tuna. LIEBMAN Traveling on Passover, DORFMAN Elliot and six classmates Staff Writer from Andover High School's marching band and orches- tra found where there's a will, there's a way to assure being well-fed with kosher-for-Passover food while on their trip. "It just involved a little bit of planning," said Elliot's mom, Joyce Weingarten, who made the arrangements for the kids' meals. While other parents offered their help, Weingarten was confident she could take Joyce Weingarten makes sure . son Elliot and fellow band- care of things by calling the right people — members are prepared for Passover on their trip to Scotland. starting with a Scottish rabbi — Rabbi David Rose of Edinburgh. Director Robert Ambrose and Orchestra Director "He didn't know what to do first for the kids," Dave Reed. she said. "He immediately offered to feed them "Every four years, we go someplace great with himself everyday. the kids," Ambrose said. "Twice we played in Deciding that would be logistically difficult, she London's New Year's Day Parade." instead took his referral of a kosher caterer and This trip — which includes 95 students from ordered 21 frozen, kosher-for-Passover dinners. both the Andover marching band and orchestra — Making the situation more interesting, Weingarten will include participation in a parade and concert said, "In addition to keeping kosher, a couple of performances, with the symphony band premiering the kids are vegetarian — and one is a vegetarian a piece commissioned for them. who just eats fish." "It was very important to us that every student Arrangements have been made with the hotel for could be comfortable and have their dietary needs refrigeration and warming of the meals. met and still go on the trip with us," Ambrose said. "For breakfasts and lunches, the rabbi offered to When the trip was planned a year ago, the shop for groceries for the kids," Weingarten said. school's staff was certain it didn't overlap with the While the students decided instead to pack food days of the seders, but didn't realize when the kids for the two daily meals, they will at least take the left. for Scotland on Thursday, April 8, it would rabbi up on his offer for them to join him at still be Passover. "They have been bound and Friday night Shabbat dinner. determined that no one stays back because they "He told me there are only about 750-1,000 can't eat," Weingarten said. "This isn't going to be Jews in Edinburgh and was very happy to have easy for the kids, but it will be fun." them at his home," Weingarten said. And if Weingarten ever makes it to Scotland, she Once the kids' flight took off, Weingarten's mis- already has one plan set. "I'm going to take up sion ended and charge of the kids — and their Rabbi Rose's offer," she said. "I'm going to have a meals — was taken over by Andover's Band Scottish Shabbat dinner at his home." Fl " Shabbat Candlelighting "When I light the Shabbos candles, I feel free from the tyranny of the telephone." — Chaya Sora Silberberg, West Bloomfield, rebbetzin, Sara Tugman Bais Chabad Torah Center Candlelighting Friday, April 9, 7:50 p.m. Candlelighting Friday, April 16, 7:58 p.m. - Shabbat Ends Saturday, April 10, 8:53 p.m. Shabbat Ends Saturday, April 17, 9:02 p.m. TO submit a candlelighting message, call Miriam Anzzalak of the Lubavitch Women's Organization at (248) 548-6771 or e-mail: inanzzalakuno.com