The most beautiful and best and Hibachi Steak House! VALENTINE'S DAY SPECIAL $59.99 per couple FREE ROSE FOR All LADIES Lobster, Fillet & Shrimp Arts & Entertainment Free Spirit Jewish actress takes role on The L Word. Now Serving Beer, Wine & Liquor Come see our wonderful selection RJA 2 14 Mile 1-696 *All specials only good Mon-Thurs. 4:30pm-6pm. Order must be completed by 6:00. Dine in only. Exp. 2/1/07 248461-L, 1E3 01 = 3apffaese Steak House • Sushi & Hibachi www.samuraisteakhousemiscom 7390 Haggerty Rd. at 14 Mile • West Bloomfield, MI Mon-Sat Lunch 11-3 pm • Mon-Thur Dinner 4:30-10 pm • Fri & Sat Dinner 4:30-11 pm • Sunday 4-10 pm Marlee Matlin and Jennifer Beals on The L Word Come celebrate Shabbat as you tour our pre-schools in both locations. Curt Schleier Special to the Jewish News m Visit the classrooms, meet the staff, talk to parents and participate in our children's Shabbat service. At our B'nai Israel Center, visit our Kindergarten, Parent-Tot and Music Together classes. W re, To RSVP for the B'nai Israel Center, please call Dolly Simon at 248/681-4235 To RSVP for Southfield, please call Gail Goodstein at 248/357-5544 10% OFF —I RISTORANTE TOTAL FOOD BILL Fine Italian Dining in a Casual Atmosphere OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK! OUR NEW HOURS Monday-Thursday 4pm-10pm Friday 1 1 am-11 pm Saturday 4pm-11pm Sunday 3pm-9pm L (MON-THURS. ONLY) PLEASE PRESENT THIS COUPON TO RECEIVE DISCOUNT! ONE COUPON PER CUSTOMER • EXPIRES 2/2W07 (NOT VAUD ON HOLIDAYS) NEW LOWER PRICED LUNCH MENU FRIDAYS ONLY 33210 W. 14 Mite Road In Simsbury Plaza Just East of Farmington Road West Bloomfield RISTORANTE (248) 538-8954 SALE IN PROGRESS Furs *Shearlings • Clothing & Sportswear Tobert GMann GlitCs n fore boutique 248-855-9545 Telegraph at Maple In Bloomfield Plaza 54 January 25 . 2007 "He's over the moon. He gets a glimpse of something he'll never get at home." Matlin became deaf when she was arlee Matlin, 41, hasn't a year and a half old, after she suffered allowed the fact that she a series of high-grade fevers. "It hap- can't hear stop her from a pened," she says. "I really don't dwell on successful career on screens both large why. I'm deaf. It's just part of who I am." and small. She won her Oscar in her film She grew up in Chicago and attended debut as the deaf student in Children of the Jewish Temple for the Deaf B'nai a Lesser God. But since then, she's taken Shalom, in Skokie. "I was bat mitzvahed on all kinds of roles that have nothing to and grew up in a typical Jewish family. do with her being deaf. I have very fond memories growing up She had her own TV series, — of going to services every Friday Reasonable Doubt, in which she night after dinner, Sunday school and played a lawyer. She's had recurring working one-on-one with my [hearing] roles on other series, most recently rabbi on my Haftorah." The West Wing, on which she played In large measure, Matlin attributes a political analyst. And now she's a her success to her Jewish roots. "I think regular on The L Word, the spicy it was our Jewish culture and commu- Showtime series about lesbians, in nity and sensibilities that allowed me to which she plays a sculptor. become independent. Also, what we call On The L Word, Matlin plays chutzpah, to do what you have to do in Jodi Lerner, a character introduced the face of adversity on the show this Sunday. Lerner is "My mom and dad told me I could hired as artist in residence at the ficti- do whatever I wanted to. I got it from tious California University by the new my roots." dean of the Arts College, Bette Porter And the Fonz helped, too. For about (Jennifer Beals). nine years, between the ages of 7 and Lerner is a free spirit; Porter a control 16, Matlin participated in a deaf theater freak. The two clash — but only at first. troupe. Henry Winkler just happened to Their mutual attraction overcomes any be in Chicago and attended one of her personality differences and, initially at performances. He came back stage, told least, they end up in some passionate her how great she was and encouraged embraces. her to continue her quest to become a Matlin feels her character is Jewish, professional actor. judging by the name alone, though she Some at the theater criticized never discussed it with the series' creator Winkler for raising unrealistic expec- and guiding force, Ilene Chaiken, who is tations for Matlin, setting her up for Jewish. "I'm sure as the show grows, the disappointment. She and Winkler had a character will grow and [her Jewishness] good laugh about that after she won her will come into play:' says Matlin. Academy Award in 1986. ❑ The actress "did not feel uncomfort- The L Word airs 10 p.m. Sundays able when she took the role." Asked on Showtime. about her husband's feelings, she says,