To Life!

AROUND TOWN

Imagine!

Young adults mingle after Shabbat services
to build common programming.

T

hey call it
a "rocking,
jumping,
moving, grooving
Shabbat worship
service" and Temple
Israel's Shabbat
Unplugged certainly
lived up to its reputa-
tion. More than 1,000
people, including many
families with young
children, gathered on
the temple grounds in West
Bloomfield for an outdoor
version of the lively, musical
service on Aug. 18. The group
joined together in song and in
prayer under the setting sun,
occasionally swatting away a
few mosquitoes.
The service was all part of.a
special evening of "free fuel for
the young 'adult Jewish soul."
A Shabbat picnic and a young
adult oneg were also held to
promote the temple's Imagine
program for people aged 21-40.
"We did this a few years ago
to showcase what Temple Israel
has to offer young adults, and
it was wildly successful:' said
Rabbi Jennifer Tisdale.
"The turnout is phenomenal:'
added Rabbi Josh Bennett.
"We're always so lucky to have a

beautiful outdoor,
natural setting
and a congrega-
tion that loves this
service?"
About 100
young adults min-
gled and enjoyed
hors d'oeuvres
and dessert
inside the temple
after the service.
Several tables
were set up with information
on different Imagine programs.
Shayna and Josh Levine of
Huntington Woods stood at
one booth answering questions
about a Shabbat dinner club.
The Imagine group also has
clubs that focus on cooking,
business and networking, arts
and culture and family fun.
Everyone in the Jewish commu-
nity is invited to participate in
Imagine programs, regardless
of synagogue affiliation.
'I think it's a great way to
get young people together:' said
Shayna Levine.
"You have a big disconnect
after people graduate from col-
lege and get into the working
world;' added Josh. "The idea .
is to get them all together, have
everyone meet each other and

get to know each other on a
personal level. Then, as a group,
you foster the idea of getting
involved with Judaism and
synagogue and doing things
together?'
Angela and Dan
Rosenberg of Novi manned
a table called "under con-
struction" where people were
encouraged to submit new
ideas for future programs and
events.
"We're trying to get even
more younger people involved:'
Angela said.
"We're constantly trying
to reinvent ourselves:' added
Rabbi Tisdale. "We're showing
off what we've done and look-
ing for new ideas as we look to
the future."
Also spotted in the Imagine
crowd were: Amy and Marc
Wander of Farmington Hills;
Alaina Kronenberg, Rachel
and Ron Radner, Michelle
and Drew Millman, Julie
Rioux and Lauren Friedman,
all of West Bloomfield; Phil
Okun. of Huntington Woods;
Ben Konstantin of Royal Oak;
and Jeremy Freedenberg of
Southfield. Fl

Marc and Amy Wander of Farmington Hills and Shayna and Josh
Levine of Huntington Woods

Steve Rochen of West

Bloomfield, Todd Wolfe

of Farmington Hills

and Kathy Khalihpari

of Beverly Hills, Calif.

.

Alairia and Sandy

Kronenberq of West

Bloomfield are flanked

by Francine and Greg

Hirsh of Commerce

Township.

Dr. Phil Arbit of

Farmington Hills with

Francine Krasner of

West Bloomfield and

her daughter, Rachel, 7

Lisa Millman and Jason Levine of Chicago,

Marty and Melissa Hortick, and their son Max, 1,

Erika London and Andy Bocknek,

Ben Konstantin of Royal Oak

center, and their son, Joshua, 1, are flanked

with Rabbi Jennifer Tisdale

both of Walled Lake

and Lauren Friedman of West

by Andrew and Michelle Millman of West

Bloomfield.

46

August 31 • 2006

Bloomfield