Arts & Life

Passover Pastime

A model seder proves to be the place for mingling, singing
and learning something new.

SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN

Staff Writer

T

wo social groups spent time together combining
fun with learning at the annual Passover seder for
adults with developmental disabilities held at the
Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield.
More than 100 participants and caregivers joined togeth-
er in the seder, conducted by Rabbi Eric
Yanoff of Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
"The two groups — the Tuesday
Friends Group and the Thursday Night
Social Group — meet year round," said
Ann Patronik, director of the Special
Needs Department at the JCC in West
Bloomfield.
"The Tuesday group does activities out
in the community, like going out to eat
or to the movies or having barbecues.
The Thursday group meets at
the JCC in West Bloomfield for
activities like playing bingo or
having a coffeehouse or a dance.
The seder is something the two
groups do together each year."
"Rabbi Yanoff was able to
include everyone," Patronik
said. "He captivated everyone's
attention with his stories and

musical instruments and had them singing and dancing."
Several non-Jewish men from an area group home also
attended the April 21 seder. "They had never been to a
seder before," Patronik said. "They definitely learned from
it and were so happy to have had the experience." And like
everyone else who attended, Patronik said, "They had a
great time socializing and being with friends."
All West Bloomfield JCC programs for adults with spe-
cial needs are funded by the Northwest Child Rescue
Women. In addition, the Pernick Community Fund pro-
vided a gift to allow for the seder.

To learn about upcoming programs of the Special
Needs Department of the Jewish Community
Center, contact Ann Patronik at: (248) 432-5585.

Above: Stuart Trosch
of Auburn Hills,
coordinator of the
Thursday Night Social
Group, watches as Joel
Frank of Farmington
Hills participates in
the seder.

Right: Jenny Baldwin
of Southfield claps
along with the music.'

Above right: Volunteer coordinator for West Bloomfield Fame
Games, Joyce Weckstein of Southfield fills up a few plates for
Rabbi Eric Yanoff to deliver to the tables.

Right: Ann Patronik, director of the Special Needs Department
at the JCC in West Bloomfield, right, chats with Audrey
Yarrow of Huntington Woods.

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2005

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