To Life.
AROUND TOWN
Staff photos by Angie Baan
Melissa Shulman and Nicole Wagner, both of Birmingham, and Elyse Kolender
of Bloomfield Hills
Gary Gonte of West Bloomfield and Jonny Kest of Birmingham
Accent On Health
Kadima fundraiser helps pep up body and mind.
A
Michelle Rosenfeld of Franklin, Karin Sherman
and Amy Sternfeld, both of West Bloomfield
Lisa Wittenberg of West Bloomfield
and Debbie Perlman of Huntington
Woods
Janette Shallal of Beverly Hills and Shirley Obron of Franklin with
Florine Mark of Farmington Hills
Marcy Sucher and Cindy Kahn, both
Bloomfield Hills
50 March 29 2007
n inspirational talk from a local diet guru, an up-close look at a hot new fit-
ness trend and a refresher course in stretching and relaxation made for an
exhilarating afternoon. More than 150 people attended "Healthy Body, Healthy
Mind," a luncheon and fundraiser at Forte restaurant in Birmingham to benefit the
Southfield-based mental health agency Kadima.
"There was a lot of energy; it was raining outside, but it was a really exciting after-
noon:' said Maria Kaftan of Birmingham, who co-chaired the
event with Jen Lewis, also of Birmingham.
Guest speakers included Florine Mark, the largest franchise
holder of Weight Watchers International; Jonny Kest, founder
of Michigan's Jonny Kest Center for Yoga; and Gary Gonte, the
state's first Agatsu kettlebell coach. Gonte demonstrated how to
exercise with a kettlebell, which looks like a bowling ball with a
handle attached.
"Professional athletes use them; even the Israeli army uses
kettlebells for training:' Kaftan said. "Florine was so dynamic;
she talked about life, making the most of your day and having a
positive attitude. Jonny got everyone out of their seat. He had us
stretching and focusing on relaxation."
The event raised $10,000 for Kadima; the money will go
toward a new youth initiative. It's a project close to the heart of
incoming Kadima president Gail Katz of West Bloomfield.
"When my daughter, Hava Leichtman, was 11 years old, she became very ill with
anorexia, bipolar disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder:' Katz said. "I had nowhere
to go for family counseling and it was a horrible time for me. Up to this point, Kadima
has serviced clients 18 years and older and their families. My mission as incoming presi-
dent is to underscore this initiative and help families of children with mental illness!'
Spotted in the crowd at the March 21 event were: Laura Adler, Paula Ceresnie,
Phyllis Levitt, Amy Molnar and Sandi Tamaroff, all of West Bloomfield; Karen
Amber, Ronna Schwartz, Elyse Kolender, Lauren Carson, Julie Goldman, Barbara
Berry and Lila Schubiner, all of Bloomfield Hills; Shirley Obron of Franklin; Lisa
Dresner and Kathy Wilson, both of Birmingham; and Vera Schey and Miry Serlin,
both of Farmington Hills. LJ