Mig

-0

JebrMilstein of
Oak Park does
a bandstand.

Shimon Pichette of Southfield
climbs through a trap door:

The group takes a
break from jumping.

Sisters Ellie and
Abbie Girds of
Farmington Hills
try the slide.

HMD gets pumped
up for Israel.

ROBIN SCHWARTZ

Special to the Jewish News

A

Hille l Prot am
Director Karen
Adelman of
Berkley takes

at

Sthnel.

Ezra Drissman
of Oak Park
climbs toward
solid ground

3/ 3

2005

50

bout three-dozen members of Hillel
of Metro Detroit got all pumped up
about supporting Israel last month.
They gathered at Pump It Up-The
Inflatable Party Zone in Wixom to help
raise money for a new ambulance for Magen
David Adorn, Israel's version of the Red
Cross.
Partygoers also had a blast — playing and
jumping on the facility's giant inflatable
cushions. Talya Drissman of Oak Park,
Lesley Zwick of Southfield and Michelle
Markzon and Jeff Glogower of West
Bloomfield were among those taking part.
"I feel it's a good cause and it helps a lot
of people in Israel," said Shimon Pichette of
Southfield. A Wayne State University stu-
dent in Detroit, he spent a year studying in
Israel. "I feel a special tie to Israel since I
lived there," he said.
Each person attending the party donated
$10 to the ambulance fund. Hillel and sev-
eral other groups have each committed to
raising $3,000 toward the purchase of a new
vehicle for emergency services.
Ezra Drissman, 24, of Oak Park coordi-
nated the event. He also studied and lived
in Jerusalem and knows how much the help
is needed. "Every two minutes, you'd hear
an ambulance go by," he said. "I've taken so
much from Israel and all the trips I've been
on, it's nice to actually give something
back."
While some in the group played basket-
ball, slid down enormous slides and boxed
with oversized boxing gloves, others snacked
on hummus and pitas and listened to Israeli
music. A few participants made "get well"
cards to send to Israeli soldiers and children
recovering in hospitals there.
The Hillel members are more energized
about the fund-raising effort because they
know exactly where their money is going.
"It's nice to actually get something concrete
at the end," said Drissman, "so you know
,,
you've accomplished something."

re

Zach Glazier of West Bloomfield
slides upside down.

and Rachel
well' rats.