Elkus said many members of his syna-
gogue, Congregation Shir Tikvah in Troy,
attended the special promotion. But, "it
was also nice to see so many members of
the Orthodox [Jewish] community here.
It's nice to have an event like this that is
just fun."
Larry Schon of Oak Park was one of the
Orthodox basketball fans. Neighbors men-
tioned two days earlier that they had an
extra ticket, and Schon happily volun-
teered to leave his family and attend the
game with them.
Elkus and several others credited the
power of e-mail for the large Jewish
turnout. E-mails began flying
Thanksgiving weekend about the
Chanukah ticket offer through the
Federation and the 850 seats were
snapped up within three weeks. "We even
started a waiting list:' said Nicole Houin,
group marketing representative for Palace
Sports and Entertainment."But we ran out
of tickets!' The game was the Pistons' 95th
consecutive sell-out at-home.
Houin said the Palace offers group pro-
motions to several Friday night games .
during the year. After the latest Friday
night offer to the Jewish community, she
received an e-mail response from Rabbi
Elliot Pachter of Congregation B'nai
Moshe in West Bloomfield. He explained
that Friday night doesn't work for the
observant Jewish community. Houin asked
Rabbi Pachter for suggestions.
Houin worked out the details for the
Palace's first Chanukah celebration with
Federation's Lisa Soble-Siegmann. She was
one of Rabbi Pachter's recommendations.

Future Piston star Joshua Miller'of Ann Arbor

Ben Lugar, 13, of West Bloomfield takes

careful aim at the basket.

The Palace offered the regular price for the
seats — $38 — even though the game
was designated "premium" — with a $12
surcharge — because of the opponent.
The Jewish community purchasers were
seated high up, but behind the Pistons'
bench. Following the victory, they were

.

invited down to courtside for a Chanukah
sing-along, led by the 8 1/2-months-preg-
nant Soble-Siegmann, and to shoot free
throws on the basketball court.
Hundreds of youngsters took a shot at
the basket while Soble-Siegmann belted
out "Maot Tzur" (Rock of Ages), "I Have A

Little Dreidel" and other holiday favorites.
And as the fans filed out to return home
to light their chanukiot, ushers gave each
one a little Chanukah present – a photo of
the Pistons' starters in a team huddle. ❑

For more photos, go to JNOnline.us.

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December 29 • 2005

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