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Trip Of A Lifetime
Family encourages celebrations in Israel.
LEONARD PO GER
Copy Editor
T
he Fershtmans may be the best promoters
of why Jewish families should have their
children's bar/bat mitzvahs celebrated in
Israel.
The Southfield family of five recently returned
from such a journey with memories and images of
Israel's society, land and history.
Sue Fershtman was simply bubbling in recalling
the family's two-week trip to celebrate son Daniel's
bar mitzvah atop Masada, the historic stronghold
that Jews held for about three years before falling to
the Romans in 70 C.E.
"It was a trip of a lifetime," Mrs. Fershtman said.
Mrs. Fershtman wants the entire family to return
to Israel in seven years when her daughter reaches
bat mitzvah age. On the trip with other families in
late December were husband Bruce, son Jordan, 15,
and daughter Leah, 6.
Adding to the excitement was a reunion with
Mrs. Fershtman's brother, Steve Dunn, who lives in
Israel with his wife, Shelley, and daughter, Chava,
10.
Feb. 16
Heidi Brode and Joel Krugel welcome
with love the birth of their daughter,
Cami Jordan (Rivka Devorah). Cami
was welcomed into the family by her
2-year-old big sister Darby Morgan.
Sharing in their joy are ecstatic gram-
my Penny and papa Harvey Brode
and safta Sally and saba Richard
Krugel. Cami is named in memory of
her dear paternal great-grandmother
Jennie Krugel. Her Hebrew name was
given in loving memory of her mater-
nal great-great-grandmother Ruth
Fishman, adored maternal great-
grandmother Dorothy Fishman and
beloved maternal great-aunt Dora
Shapiro.
Feb. 15
Nicole and Paul Schapira of West
Bloomfield welcome with love, joy
and gratitude the birth of their
daughter, Rachel Halley. Welcoming
Rachel home are big sister Rebecca
and big brother Daniel. Sharing in
their happiness are grandparents
Elaine and Harvey Minkin of
Bloomfield Hills, Ruth Schapira of
Riverdale, N.Y., and great-grand-
mother Rae Bednarsh of West
During the initial planning for
Danny Fershtman's bar mitzvah, his
parents suggested the family trip to
Israel in lieu of the traditional party.
Danny at first preferred the party but
was convinced by his parents that the
Israel ceremony and trip would be
more meaningful.
At the conclusion of the ceremony at
Masada, Danny took the microphone
and thanked his parents for insisting
on the Israel location. "I love it in
Israel," he said, "and I want to come
back some day."
Daniel Fershtman celebrated his bar mitzvah at Masada. With him
Mrs. Fershtman said, "At that
are, from left, his parents, Sue and Bruce Fershtman, sister Leah, uncle
moment, Bruce and I knew that we
Steve Dunn, brother Jordan, aunt Shelley and cousin Chava.
had accomplished what we had set out
to do. We gave our children a trip of a lifetime. It
Israel and, as a family, experience the rich Jewish
wasn't a film trip, like a trip to Disney World. It was
history of our people."
a trip that was educational, emotional and thought-
She said the family always felt safe during their
provoking."
trip and were not the "least bit uncomfortable,
But she admitted that one highlight was a jeep
scared or uneasy in any way. Israel is a beautiful,
ride near the Golan Heights.
growing, thriving country with much to offer and it
Mrs. Fershtman is urging other families to make
needs the support of every Jewish person in the
the same journey. "My advice is to take them to
world to stand behind it." ❑
Bloomfield. Rachel Hailey is named
in loving memory of her maternal
great-grandmother Evelyn Minkin.
Feb. 12
Danielle (Zacks) and Brian Dale of
Deerfield, Ill., welcome with love the
birth of their daughter, Stella Blythe.
Sharing in their joy
are grandparents Dr.
Robert and Marilyn
Dale of Tifton, Ga.,
formerly of
Bloomfield Hills, and
Leonard and Francine
Zacks of Glencoe, Ill.
Delighted great-
grandmothers are Sheila Schussler
and Evelyn Dale of Farmington Hills.
Stella Blythe is named in loving
memory of her maternal great-grand-
mother Beulah Austin.
Jan. 20
Sharon (Reifler) and Barry Rosenberg
of Ann Arbor announce with much
love the birth of their son, Andrew
Herman (Tzvi). Sharing in their joy
are proud grandparents Faye and Don
Reifler and Ann and David
Rosenberg, all of West Bloomfield.
Thrilled great-grandmothers are Dina
Brodsky and Lillian Marrich. Drew is
named in loving memory of his
paternal great-grandfather Herman
Brodsky.
Jan. 15
Jennifer (Franklin) and Gregg
Paradise of Berkeley Heights, N.J.,
announce with love the birth of their
son, Noah Seth (Aveehud). Sharing
in their happiness are grandparents
Margie and Bob Franklin of West
Bloomfield and first-
time grandparents
Jane and Steve
Paradise of Merrick,
N.Y. Very proud
great-grandparents
are Rae Peltz of
Southfield, Manny
Franklin of West
Bloomfield, Lionel
Paradise of East Meadow, N.Y., and
Sidney Klein of Pompano Beach, Fla.
Noah Seth is named in loving memo-
ry of his paternal great-grandmother
Sonia Klein.
Dec. 16
Jolie (Agin) and Ryan Goodman of
Birmingham are
thrilled to announce
the birth of their son,
Austin Jace. Proud
grandparents are
Margo and Steve
Goodman of
Bloomfield Hills and
Denise and Herb Agin of Long
Island, N.Y. First-time great-grand-
parents are Annie and Leonard
Goodman of Bloomfield Hills and
Ellie Rappaport of Long Island.
Dec. 7
Ilyse (Broder) and Lonny Goldsmith
of Plymouth, Minn., announce with
much love and excitement the birth
of their daughter, Hannah Grace
(Channa Bina). Very
proud grandparents
are Elanna and
Rodney Broder of
Farmington Hills,
Rena Harold and
Linda Loewenstein of
Ann Arbor and
Donna and Alan
Goldsmith of Northville. Thrilled
great-grandparents are Frances and
BIRTHS
on page 105
JN
3/10
2005
103