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Staff photos by Armando Rios

Sima Smapir and Yael Ganet, both of Ann Arbor, dance at the Purim Party.

Ari Leibovitz of West Bloomfield with his wife, Carolyn

Into The Spirit

Yossi's does Purim in high Israeli style.

T

he food, music and revelry
associated with Purim were the
main ingredients in a big bash at
Yossi's Famous Falafel in West Bloomfield;
an event so festive, it would have made
Haman cringe. Yossi Benjamin of
Farmington Hills, the restaurant's owner,
served up his famous Israeli dishes, while
partygoers danced to Israeli and techno
music and enjoyed drinks and desserts.
"Our tradition tells us this is a time to
celebrate," said Benjamin. "We drink, we
get dressed up; it's just a happy holiday."

Several of the more than 50 people in
attendance came dressed in costumes.
Sima and Mike Smapir of Ann Arbor
won a PlayStation 2 for being voted the
best dressed. The restaurant itself was
appropriately adorned for the occasion,
decorated with masks, disco lights and
other accessories. There also were plenty
of hamentashen to go around. Yossi, who
grew up in Haifa, says the event was simi-
lar to Purim celebrations held in Israel.
"It was the first Purim party we've had
at the restaurant," Benjamin said. "Purim

is often enjoyed by
the children, but
this celebration
was for the big
kids."
Spotted at the
March 10 event
were: Carolyn
and Ari Liebovitz of West Bloomfield;
Sigal and Jimmy Levine of West
Bloomfield; John and Margie Lavelanet
of Rochestor Hills and Manny Levinson
of Farmington Hills. I I

4 ,

Top: Jessica Kernen, 18, of Walled Lake,

Tatiana Parfenova, 24, of Flint, Rosa

Bottom Left: Costume winner Mike

Perevenzev, 17, of 'Farmington Hills

Snapir of Ann Arbor

Bottom: Ben Meyer of Oak Park with

Bottom Right: Sigal and Jimmy Levine

Tobi Kaplan of Ferndale

of West Bloomfield

March 15 2007

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