Metro

THE SCENE

Ivan and Mikki Frank and their children, Ellie, 2, and Mia, 4, of Bloomfield Township

Brian Ziff of West Bloomfield with his son Jacob, 4

Spicing Up Shabbat

Young families share a unique Havdalah experience.

Robin Schwartz
Special to the Jewish News

I

Rebecca Russman, 5, and her brother, Josh, 2, of Bloomfield Township with Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny

n the process of rolling and braiding wax for homemade
Havdalah candles and creating one-of-a-kind spice boxes and
wine goblets to use at home, more than 30 families made some
special Shabbat memories at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. They
took part in "Spice Up Shabbat" March 1, a program sponsored by the
temple's young adult Imagine group, which also included an indoor
picnic dinner, a song session and Havdalah ceremony. You didn't need
to be a temple member to participate.
"Gathering together for Havdalah is such a unique opportunity," said
Tracie Fineman, the temple's director of programming. "We wanted to
create a program families could enjoy together on a Saturday evening."
After crafting their own Havdalah sets, the families laid out blankets
for a feast of pizza, pasta and salad. The children even decorated sugar
cookies for dessert. The program concluded with a group song session
led by the Temple Israel clergy while the families waved glow-sticks to
set the mood.
"This was our first time attending a Havdalah service as a fam-
ily," said Rachel Polakoff of West Bloomfield, who took part in the
event with her husband, Kane, and children Haylie, 4, and Gabi, 2.
"Watching the kids singing songs they've learned at school and see-
ing them enjoy the arts and crafts project was really nice. It was just a
special time!"
Spotted in the Spice Up Shabbat crowd were: Eden, Kevin, Skylar
and Zachary Elbinger of Farmington Hills; Marjie, Jordan and
Logan Field of Berkley; Shayna, Josh and Brandon Levine of
Huntington Woods; and Jodi, Josh, Marne and Allie Jacobs, Alaina,
Sandy, Ashley and Brianna Kronenberg, Margo, Michael and
Shaina Lazar and Rachel, Ron and Hannah Radner, all of West
Bloomfield.

❑

„oat

Kevin Elbinger of Farmington Hills with Skylar, 3

Jennifer Goodbinder of Birmingham with Zoe,
12 weeks

March 20 • 2008

A19