D.C. Seasoned
Akiva teens become
politically engaged.
S
ix students at Yeshivat Akiva
in Southfield took part in
Panim, a political action
conference in Washington held March
9-12. Students focused on tikkun olam
(repair of the world) and their role
as future Jewish leaders and current
Jewish teens.
Akiva participants were 12th-grader
Shugmi Shumunov of Southfield and
10th-graders Avielle Movsas, Naomi
Greenbaum, Lani Levi and Molly
Goldmeier, all of Southfield; and
Ruthie Lehmann of West Bloomfield.
They studied and debated current
political topics like capital punish-
ment, the environment, Darfur,
childhood obesity. An American
Israel Public Affairs Committee-led
discussion focused on the embattled
Middle East. They also interacted with
homeless people about the Homeless
Coalition of America.
After learning about the workings
of Congress, students lobbied their
senators and representatives. The
Akiva group met with Sen. Debbie
Stabenow, D-Mich.
"I gained a new appreciation for
politics and hope to take on leadership
roles in the future," said Shumunov.
"I had a lot of fun, I learned a lot
from the speeches and activities and
had fun meeting new people said
Movsas.
Greenbaum said, "It was fabulous to
meet other Jewish kids from all over
the United States. We were able to see
first handed the truth about homeless-
ness and how many false stereotypes
we have made about those people."
Goldmeier summed up her fel-
low students' feelings. "This is such a
great experience, and I recommend
everyone to partake in this learning
opportunity" ❑
"From the day I moved to Regent Street
of West Bloomfield, it has felt like home.
The staff is kind and they are experts at
Shir Tikvah Gives Thanks
Congregation Shir Tikvah invites
the public to its 25th anniversary
Shabbat service at 7:45 p.m., Friday,
April 11, at 3900 Northfield Parkway
in Troy.
The congregation, led by Rabbi
Arnie Sleutelberg, Rabbi Aaron Starr
and invited guest Reb Eli Cohen, will
honor and remember many of those
who made the growth of the congre-
gation possible during the past 25
years.
These include founding members,
former officers and board of trustee
members, directors of education and
others who played an important part
in Congregation Shir Tikvah's exis-
tence.
The Reform/Renewal congregation
also will dedicate a cornerstone plaque
at the service.
Many dignitaries have been invited
to share in this special service, includ-
ing Troy Mayor Louise Schilling and
representatives from the four Troy
churches where CST held services
before it moved into its own religious
building in April 1998: Emerson
Unitarian Church, Lutheran Church of
the Master, Northminster Presbyterian
Church and Community of Christ Troy
Oaks Church.
An oneg, or serving of refreshments,
will follow the service.
For information about the service or
about Congregation Shir Tikvah, call
the shul, (248) 649-8286.
AJC Hosts Speaker
The American Jewish Committee
Metropolitan Detroit Chapter will
host Dr. Eran Lerman for a commu-
nity breakfast briefing on the current
situation in the Middle East 7:30
a.m. Friday, April 4, at the Max M.
Federation Building, 6735 Telegraph,
Bloomfield Township.
Lerman is the executive director
of the American Jewish Committee's
Israel Middle East office, a former
strategic analyst for the Israeli
Defense Forces and frequent op-ed
contributor to the American and
Israeli press.
His topic will be "Hamas, Iran and
the New Regional Paradigm."
The cost of the breakfast is $10.
Reservations are requested. For
information or reservations, e-mail
detroit@aic.org or call (248) 646-
7686.
what they do." - Resident Bea Paul
248.683.1010
Spring Move In Special!
Can for details.
REGENT STREET
OF WEST
L C 0 M F I t 1, D
ASSISTED LIVING
4460 Orchard Lake Rd. West Bloomfield, MI 48323
Located next to Comerica Bank
Created to care for our family, devoted to serving yours.
1376590
April 3* 2003
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