Above: Shaarey Zedek congregants share
hands across the aisle with members of
the Metro Detroit Area Fellowship
Choir.
"I needed this, I really needed
this — I really appreciate what
they've done for us."
Left: Rev. Kenneth Flowers of Greater
New Mount Moriah Baptist Church in
Detroit gives the Kabbalat Shabbat
sermon.
Michael Robinson of New Orleans
.
to express face-to-face the depth of our
),
care and concern.
The evacuees, who are currently
staying at the Southfield Ramada Inn
free of charge, seemed to welcome the
chance to put their troubles aside and
do some spiritual healing. "I needed
this, I really needed this — I really
appreciate what they've done for us,"
said Michael Robinson of New
Orleans. He traveled to Michigan in a
van with 16 people.
Robinson and many of the other
evacuees said they've never attended
Jewish services before. "It's different
because yall speak a different lan-
,_guage, but I liked the songs and I
wanted to get up and dance," said
Keithroy Paige, 16, of New Orleans.
"It showed me that everyone in the
world really isn't the way you think
they are — and there are a lot of nice
people you can really meet in the
world," he said.
Paige plans to stay in Detroit, live
with relatives, and join the 10th grade
class at Detroit Cooley High School.
"They have to completely rebuild
their lives and that's a pretty scary
thought," said Shelly Rubenfire of
West Bloomfield.
She arrived with a large supply of
paper goods to donate. Her two sons,
Adam and Brett, helped her deliver
the products.
"It kind of gives me a sense of
pride," said Brett Rubenfire, 13. "I
feel good that we can help them.
That good feeling is shared by Sam
Yono, owner of the Southfield
Ramada. He was another special guest
at the service and dinner. The tragic
circumstances surrounding Hurricane
Katrina inspired him to open his hotel
to hurricane victims.
The Ramada is currently serving as
an indefinite shelter for 31 displaced
families — more than 150 people.
"I find that very generous, what he's
doing for the people," said evacuee
Keithroy Paige.
The evening was made possible
thanks to a contribution from Steven
and Jeri Fishman of Southfield.
,'
Donations from several synagogue
members also helped pay for the event.
Busses to transport the evacuees from
the Ramada were donated by Safeway.
The bus company also distributed
Target gift cards and phone cards to
the families.
The ritual of breaking bread together
proved to be moving for everyone
involved.
"When you see people who are
direct recipients and you're literally sit-
ting with them from an absolutely hor-
rendous situation — I haven't absorbed
it yet," said Block-Victor. "I just kept
looking at them thinking there but for
the grace of God go us." ❑
„
tbst
9/15
2005