I HAV SIMPLES 0 ' 11 AS 1 1 ES Gail Katz and her mother, Dorothy Mazer, both of West Bloomfield, share a moment of enjoyment at the concert. Soulful Songs Some songs brought guests to tears. "We weren't allowed to listen to Yiddish music in the former Soviet Union," said Manya Mochulsky of Oak Park, standing next to her daughter Esfir and two grandchildren, Sofiya, 26 and Ilya Nozhnik, 23, all of Oak Park. To be called a Jew in Russia was an insult. Jews were not even identified as Russians, the citizenship on their pass- ports read "Jewish." Because of this hOstility, Jewish life was either repressed or forgotten. When Russian Jews arrived in the United States, many had never been to a Passover seder. Organizers of Circle of Friends taught them about the holi- days, organized seders and invited them into their homes. The concert program was selected to represent the Jewish component of the Harvard University Pluralism Project and its successful outreach to New Americans through Circle of Friends. "We love the volunteers," said Matilda Polyak, of Southfield, a seven- year Circle of Friends participant. "We get great happiness as part of the group." The group made a quilt in gratitude for Beth Shalom's 50th anniversary last Below: The Overtime duo of key- boardist Peter Levitin of Commerce and violinist Harry Hovakimian of Southfield performed "Sunrise, Sunset." year. Each wrote a message on the dif- ferent patches. "I met the people of my tribe. Thank you," wrote Mrs. Mochulsky. "Thank you for teaching me to be Jewish," Anna Kugel wrote. "Because of Circle of Friends, my grandchildren know what it is to be Jewish," Mrs. Mochulsky added. ❑ 300 South Main St. • Rochester, MI 48307 • www.rochesterhomebakery.com (248) 651-4830 Tatyana Zut plays piano for her bal- alaika-virtuoso husband, Gennadiy, on the Beth Shalom bimah. FOR ALL THE SIMCHAS IN YOUR LIFE! Our private dining team will handle every detail of your Wedding, Rehearsal Dinner, Bar or Bat Mitzvah flawlessly — from customizing the menu to arranging such elegant extras as sweet tables, floral designs, linens and entertainment. Best of all, you and your guests will enjoy Maggiano's traditional Southern Italian cuisine. MAGGIANO'S LITTLE ITALY® Singer Lyudmila Lebedintseva, is backed up by Ernst Fastoviskiy on piano. 2089 WEST BIG BEAVER ROAD • TROY, MI 2 4. 8. 2 o5.To8o 6/ 2 947330 2005 33