Courts Define Dilemma
As part of the 350th anniversary cele-
bration of American Jewish life, the
Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic
Studies at Wayne State University in
Detroit has invited Howard Friedman,
distinguished university professor of law
at the University of Toledo College of
Law, to be its guest speaker on Tuesday,
Dec. 7, at noon.
Dr. Friedman will
discuss the court's
assumption that cer-
tain symbols are
considered secular
(for example, a drei-
del, a Santa Claus
house and a
Friedman
Christmas tree),
while others, such as a
chanukiah (Chanukah menorah) or a
creche, are deemed to be religious.
"The December Dilemma: Can
Courts Define a Religious Observance"
will take place on the Wayne State cam-
pus at the Judaica Resource Center,
2311 Faculty Administration Building,
656 W. Kirby.
The presentation is co-sponsored
by the Center for Legal Studies and the
Center for the Study of Citizenship.
Refreshments will be served. For infor-
mation and reservations, call the Cohn-
Haddow Center, (313) 577-2679.
NCJW Extends Support
The National Council of Jewish
Women Greater Detroit Section-
SPACE for Changing Families will offer
an eight-week bereavement support
group for adults grieving the death of a
spouse or partner. The group will meet
once a week on Tuesdays from Jan. 25
to March 15 from 7-9 p.m. at the
NCJW Office, 26400 Lahser Road,
Suite 100, Southfield.
A trained and caring facilitator will
lead the group, providing a safe atmos-
phere for participants to share and dis-
cuss the issues involved in grieving the
death of a spouse or partner.
This is not a drop-in group; partici-
pants must attend all eight sessions.
There is no charge; however, donations
are appreciated.
Pre-registration is required. For infor-
mation or to register, call
(248) 355-9936.
Loving Kindness Shabbat
Congregation Chaye Olam will hold its
Dec. 17 Shabbat evening service
expressing the Torah value of <emilut
hasadim (acts of loving kindness).
The 7:30 service will tell the story of
how two young local home contractors,
Adam Helfman and Adam Becker of
Fairway Construction in Southfield,
were instrumental in making renova-
tions and accessibility enhancements at
the home of the Vardon family in Oak
Park as part of ABC-TV's Extreme
Makeover-Home Edition. The segment
was broadcast nationally on Nov. 7.
The contractors helped transform the
Vardon's 980-square-foot home by out-
fitting it with communications and safe-
ty devices for people with hearing loss.
The Vardon family includes two deaf
parents and two sons, one of whom is
autistic and blind.
"Adam and Adam" and their families
have attended High Holiday services at
Chaye Olam since the congregation
opened in 2002.
The Becker, Helfman and Vardon
families have been invited to attend the
"Acts of Loving Kindness" Shabbat serv-
ice. A sign-language interpreter will
translate song lyrics, prayers and bimah
remarks into sign, to not only help
those with hearing loss participate more
fully in the service but also provide spir-
itual enrichment.
In addition to the regular Friday night
Shabbat liturgy, the service will feature
special readings and songs that focus on
the mitzvah of g'milut hasadim and how
the two Adams are exemplars of this
Torah value through the Vardon home
makeover. Chaye Olam's Acts of Loving
Kindness Shabbat is open to the com-
munity
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Gifts Go To Needy
A Small Miracle, a charity established in
2000 to provide Chanukah gifts for
low-income Jewish families with chil-
dren in the Detroit area, held its annual
distribution on Dec. 8, when gifts were
presented to 340 children.
This independent charity receives its
finding to purchase gifts from individu-
als and a local family foundation. A
Small Miracle welcomes donations to
help fund this effort. The charity appre-
ciates donated new toys that can be dis-
tributed to qualifying families.
Donations are tax deductible and can
be mailed to A Small Miracle, 4391
Forestview Drive, West Bloomfield, MI
48322.
For information about A Small
Miracle, how to obtain a response card
to receive a gift or how to make a dona-
tion, call Kathy or Paul Finkel, (248)
737-5231.
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12/10
2004
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