Nancy Cutler,
Rabbi Bennett,
Rob Kalman,
Mark Grimes
and Brad Shulman
puff it to the
finish line during
a practice run.

Marathon Moment

Imagine Runners ready for Detroit long-distance runs while helping fight Israeli hunger.

ROBERT A. SKLAR
Editor

ITN

9/15
2005

22

S cote Hutten hit the jackpot when
he joined the Imagine Runners
group (hosted by Temple Israel
but open to all Jewish young adults).
He found the great combination of get-
ting connected to the Jewish communi-
ty and running long distance.
"I was able to run 10 miles with a
rabbi," said Hutten of Novi, a Temple
Shir Shalom member gearing up for his
22nd marathon. "If you don't feel con-
nected after that experience, I am not
sure what would!"
Temple Israel Rabbi Josh Bennett, an
experienced marathoner, will lead 13
Imagine runners in the Detroit
International Free Press Marathon on
Sunday, Oct. 23. Team members will
choose between the 26.2-mile
(marathon) and 13.1-mile (half-
marathon) runs.
Each Imagine runner committed to
raising $1,000 to help fight hunger and
to tackle other urgent needs in Israel's
Central Galilee, the Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit's Partnership
2000 region.
"Making this link between the young
adult members of this Jewish communi-
ty to Israel only strengthens our com-
mitment to the entire people of Israel,"
Rabbi Bennett said.

"It is very fulfilling knowing that I am
not just running to improve myself, but
I am also making a contribution to the
Jewish community that may benefit
those who are less fortunate in Israel,"
said seven-time marathoner Mark
Grimes of Waterford.
And Grimes is more comfortable
around Temple Israel thanks to
Imagine.,
"Now, when I attend other temple
events or sit in the synagogue," he said,
"there are people around me who were
once strangers but now are friends. We
have shared not just running, but also
our life experiences while conversing."
Rachel Harris of Bloomfield

Township grew up in a rural area and
felt disconnect to her Jewish roots.
"Now that I'm a young adult," said
the three-time marathoner, "I'm looking
for ways to meet Jewish people my age.
Imagine has given me the opportunity
to connect with fellow Jews who are
passionate about the same thing that I
am — running!"
Running is but one theme of the
Imagine young adult program organized
by Temple Israel in West Bloomfield
but open to all affiliated and unaffiliated
young adults ages 21-45 in the Jewish
community. Other themes include:
playgroups for parents with young chil-
dren, family adventure such as camping,

Imagine Runners

The runners with their hometown and
synagogue affiliation:
• Temple Israel — Rabbi Josh Bennett,
Bloomfield Hills; Lauren Mandel and
Nancy Cutler, both of West Bloomfield;
Brad Shulman, Royal Oak; Steve Susser,
Birmingham; Allison and Mark Nakisher,
Huntington Woods; Scott Bernstein,
Commerce; Rachel Harris, Bloomfield
Township; Mark Grimes, Waterford
• Shaarey Zedek — Rob Kalman, West
Bloomfield
• Shir Shalom — Scott Hutten, Novi
• Unaffiliated — Becky Keller, Clawson

young adult study, women's study, the
Duets young couples group, young sin-
gles, arts and culture appreciation, busi-
ness networking and tennis.
"The special advantage of the Imagine
style of programming is that we begin
with a group of like-minded individuals
working toward a common Jewish
goal," Rabbi Bennett said.
"The Imagine program provides you
an alternative and a proactive approach
to connecting with the Jewish commu-
nity before experiencing the birth of a
child or another significant event that
young people often go through before
getting active," Hutten said.

The Imagine Runners invite new
members; Temple Israel member-
ship or other synagogue affilia-
tion is not required. Training
runs along the West Bloomfield
Trail Network begin at 7 a.m.
Sundays. Weekly runs begin at
Temple Israel with a morning
prayer. To join the group or to
donate to the fund-raising cause,
contact Rabbi Bennett:
(248) 661-5700 or
josh@temple-israeLorg.

