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and, hopefully, globally in the very
near future.
I realized during the conference
how much power my fellow volun-
teers and I have to truly change our
society today. With so much igno-
rance towards children with special
needs out there, we found something
that needs to be done. Actually, we
are the ones with the "disability"
Hence, through the volunteer club, we
will work to change society's views
on the most amazing people we get to
work with on a weekly basis and also
get people from all over involved.
During the conference, we had
various workshop rotations to help
educate ourselves to better the orga-
nization as a whole. These included
brainstorming activities and different
ways to recruit volunteers within the
community. We heard loads upon
loads of insight from the many vol-
unteers involved; don't be surprised
to see extraordinary things happen
within our community.
Not only is there a significant rela-
tionship between a special friend and
a volunteer, but also volunteer to vol-
unteer. This is partly the reason for
the conference itself. One significant
part of the Shabbaton stands out in
my mind. It was right after Shabbas
lunch when we were lucky enough to
have a few of our families from the
Friendship Circle here in Michigan
come and join us in some very fun
and interactive activities. When the
kids got to the Shul, where these
activities were being held, we could
see the excitement on their faces. But
the excitement wasn't only coming
from the kids but more so from us,
the volunteers.
Even though most of the volun-
teers were from different parts of the
continent, we all have one thing in
common and that is to give a helping
hand to those in need. No matter how
long we knew each other or how long
most of the volunteers knew the kids
that joined us, we all were drawn to
one another. We all share a common
bond, volunteers and kids. We all
know how to be friends.
Saturday, after Shabbas, we had our
first activity together to spread the
word about Friendship Circle. This
may have not been the most conven-
tional of ways, but it sure was incred-
ibly entertaining. The Friendship
Circle coordinators organized a "scav-
enger hunt." They ordered two stretch
Hummer limos and decked them
out with Friendship Circle magnets.
Each of us got handed magnets and
we made many stops all over to hand
them out to as many random people
as possible. These stops included
Birmingham, 7-11, Drake Sports
Park, Jerusalem Pizza and many
more. The responses were mixed
— some thought we were crazy, but
most got our message.
Even though it was time to say
goodbye on Sunday, we were so
excited for what was to come. In
the morning, we had a brunch and
banquet, listening to two incred-
ible speakers. The club officers also
were introduced to many innovative
ideas from the volunteers to make
Friendship Circle's dream come alive.
Even though we were all disap-
pointed to leave one another, we
knew we were all going to see each
other again. We have much in store
for us in these coming months, and it
is our responsibility to help keep the
organization alive. II
Zoe Pinter, 15, is the daughter of Tina and
Alan Pinter of West Bloomfield.
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YIDDISH.
SUMMER.oR6:H
e Steiner Summer Internships in Yiddish Studies
National Yiddish Book Center • Amherst, MA
June 3 —
July 27, 2007
Application
deadline:
March 1, 2007
Live and learn Yiddish this summer! The National Yiddish Book Center in
Amherst, MA announces an outstanding 2007 internship opportunity for
college students. The Steiner Summer Internship Program is now
accepting applications.
Study Yiddish language, literature and culture. Work with the Center's own collection of 1.5
million Yiddish books. Interns receive a generous stipend and up to six college credits, and
apartment-style housing.
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1215293
Unable to eat what you want?
Tired of the taste and feel of
messy denture adhesives?
Trouble speaking clearly?
Call for FREE consultation or
Second Opinion
New Dental
Mini Implants
John Kazanowski, D.D.S.
Zoe Pinter, 15, of West
Bloomfield and workshop
leader Bayla Zahler, 25, of
Toronto play in Friendship
Circle's town.
31700 Telegraph Rd.
Suite 100
Bingham Farms
248-433-6000
www.drkazdds.com
February 8 e 2007
35