r
OUND TOWN
What A Blast!
New friendships rally around
menorah made from Legos.
11 of the building
nated with electric lights. "I just
blocks were in place
feel really great helping out,"
at the Meer Family
Shira said.
Friendship Cente'r in West
"Building a menorah like this
Bloomfield for a Chanukah
— that really gives the kids
celebration that was larger
excitement for the holiday,"
than life.
added Bassie Shemtov of West
Dozens of parents, children Robin Schwartz Bloomfield, the Friendship
and volunteers came together Col umnist
Circle's programming director.
on Dec. 11 for a carnival that
The Chanukah carnival was
had a moonwalk, games,
the first holiday program held at
snacks and plenty of fun. There was also
the new $5 million Friendship Center
an eight-foot-high menorah made of
building. Most of the activities took place
Legos, which children and volunteers
in the Ferber Kaufman Life-Town, a life-
helped assemble throughout the day.
like replica of a village, which is used to
"It's teamwork," said Leah Groner, a
teach life skills to special needs children.
volunteer coordinator with the
Deanna Granitz of West Bloomfield
Friendship Circle.
had a blast with her three sons."' think
The nonprofit group provides support
the facility is fabulous," Granitz said.
services and programs for families of
"The carnival is great because they can
children with special needs.
just come here and play — they can't do
"The kids love Legos — it's kind of
anything wrong here," she said.
therapeutic," Groner said.
The program was sponsored by the
Freya Gothelf, 12, of Huntington
middle school volunteers from the Morrie
Woods and Shira Wolf, 11, of West
and Sybil Fenkell volunteer club. ❑
Bloomfield were among those helping
build the menorah, which will be illumi-
More fun photos: JNonline.us
A
18
January 5 * 2006
Clockwise from top left:
Gabriel Granitz, 5, of West Bloomfield with a Hula-Hoop.
Debbie Perlman with her children, Dani, 5, and Alex, 2,
of Huntington Woods, play in the "Gross Motor Skills"
room.
Freya Gothelf, 12, Huntington Woods with Shira Wolf and
Sara Langnas, both 11, of West Bloomfield.
Chabad Rebbetzin Bassie Shemtov with Liliya Bromberg,
15, of Oak Park.
Deni Ambrose, 13, Hayley Wasserman, 12, and Alana
Rosenblatt, 13, all of West Bloomfield, play in the "Hit
the Greeks Hard" room.
Chaya Groner, 12, of North Carolina with Chana Shemtov,
7, of West Bloomfield.