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Mazel Toy!

AROUND TOWN

Spring Fling

Young ambassadors host dance at West Bloomfield JCC.

Aviv Lis, 11, of Farmington

Hills and Emily Rosberg,

10, of West Bloomfield

E

wily Rosberg, 10, of West Bloomfield knows the special needs adults she
works with at the Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield face their own
unique challenges, but that doesn't phase her one bit.
"Everybody's different no matter who they are Rosberg said. "Everyone should be
treated equally"
Twice a month, the fifth-grader at West Bloomfield's Scotch
Elementary School, her parents, Linda and Aaron Rosberg, and
brother, Jacob, 8, take part in the JCC's Thursday Night Social
Group, participating in various activities with special needs
adults ages 30 and up.
On May 1, more than 100 group members attended a "Spring
Fling" dance at Handleman Hall, hosted by Emily, her cousin Aviv
Lis, 11, of Farmington Hills, and more than a dozen other student
ambassadors with the Washington-based People to People pro-
gram. It's all part of an international learning experience for the
Robin Schwartz
10-12 year olds from Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. The experi-
Columnist
ence includes a three-week trip to Scotland and England in June.
"It was nice to have the students at the dance," said Laura Nardon
of West Bloomfield, the JCC's special-needs program coordinator.

Ten-year-olds Jaimee Stull of Commerce and Ashlee
Hauwell of Ortonville

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May 8 • 2008

"I think it brings a new energy"
The youngsters greeted people at the door, served refreshments and got everyone
moving to the music of a DJ. They also ran a canned food drive, collecting 205 pounds
of food, which was donated to Gleaner's Community Food Bank in Pontiac as part of the
community service project.
"It certainly teaches them respect for people with all abilities," said Linda Rosberg.
"These students were nominated and accepted to this program based on things they've
done in the community"
Emily has also worked hard over the past six months to raise $7,000 for her first over-
seas trip, making and selling beaded jewelry, bookmarks and crafts, tutoring, raking
leaves and working as a teacher's helper.
"I'm really excited about it:' she said. "I'm looking forward to meeting new people and
seeing new places!' ❑

To volunteer or participate in the JCC's Thursday Night Social Group, contact
Laura Nardon, (248) 432-5457, or via e-mail Lnardon®jccdet.org
For more information about the People to People program, go to the Web
site: www.peopletopeople.com .

Jessica Lee, 10, of Madison Heights and Franklin
Tester of West Bloomfield

Ty Sajan, 12, of Clarkston