Spotlight
Dressing The Part
Beth Shalom ballgoers masquerade for Purim.
E
xtraordinary guise was the
order of the night as
Congregation Beth Shalom
played host to a
Masquerade Ball to
celebrate Purim.
The March 26 party
at the Oak Park
synagogue featured
music, dancing,
food and fun.
"I'm pleased
everybody
got in
RONIT
the
spirit
and
into
PINTO
costume," said
Columnist
Bobbie Lewis of
Oak Park. Her hus-
band, Joe, in bumblebee attire, com-
plemented her black and yellow sun-
flower get-up.
Ritual Director Sammy Semp,
dressed as a wizard, his wife, Harriet,
dressed as Haman, and Rabbi David
and Alicia Nelson, all of Southfield,
strolled around the wine, pasta, deli
and Chinese dinner stations greeting
the 75 guests. Later, they danced to
the Avraham Ben Ze'ev klezmer
orchestra.
Ilana Wolfson of Oak Park walked
by with a suitcase on top of her head.
Her husband, back from a South
--Africa trip, had seen African native
women carrying loads that way. "And I
can't have my husband looking at
other women!" she joked.
Also spotted at the masquerade
were: Johnie Galens and past presi-
dents Gail and Art Langer, all of
Farmington Hills; President Nancy
Glenn, Elaine Webber and Barry
Chesterman, all of Huntington
Woods; and Executive Director Steven
and Linda Weiss of Southfield.
The ball was Beth Shalom's first syn-
agogue-sponsored, adult-only Purim
party.
"This kind of event puts Beth
Shalom on the map for creating fun,
social programs," said Director of
Education Danny Kochavi. "It's not
only a religious experience, it's about
building community."
He and his wife, Julie, of Waterford,
were dressed as replacement hockey
players in tribute to the cancelled
National Hockey League season. Julie
was a New York Ranger and Danny a•
Detroit Red Wing.
"It's a great way to spend Purim,"
Julie said. "It's festive and fun." El
Arlene Gorelick and„,,
jerg Lapides of
Southfield
4,1E, ,,,,
q.e. •
Gretche Weiner of Livonia and
Rabb
'vid Nelson of ' Sotithli#1.
17.4.4
oe and. Bobbie
Lewis of
Oak Park
Staff
photos
by
Angie Baan
Harriet and Revere C,
Sammy Semp of
Southfield
Mose Lixon and
Ilana Wolfson of
Oak Park
Art and Gail Langer of
Faimington Hills
Mike Steingold of
Huntington Woods
Pearl Foreman of Southfield and Alfred
Goldstei =
ak Park
Mich'
e an 7.:zsa
with Barry be:stenn,cin and 1;klin
ulie and Dann
-Water
4/14
2005
63