a four questions Rabbi Steven Rubenstein chats with Platinum. 1 He's the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Ahm in West Bloomfield; but at home, RABBI STEVEN RUBENSTEIN is simply "Daddy." The 37-year-old West Bloomfield resident and his wife, Robin, relish their roles as parents to Ari, 7 and Tali, 4. "I'm pretty sentimental when it comes to my children, and I'm already looking longingly at these early years of their lives," Rubenstein says. "They're growing up so fast!" The children, who were adopted (Tali from Guatemala and Ari from the Chicago area), are clearly the couple's pride and joy. Rubenstein grew up in Queens, N.Y., graduating from the State University of New York in Binghamton and the rabbinical school of the Jewish Theological Seminary. He joined Beth Ahm in August 2005 after serving as associate rabbi of Congregation Beth Shalom in Kansas City, Mo., and as a faculty member of the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School. As he celebrates Father's Day this year, Rabbi Rubenstein says he looks forward to the future. "I've heard from parents of teenagers and 'kids' in their 20s that while each stage is different, each stage is special and wonderful," he says. "It may be natural to think back to when our kids were young and how nice it was, but I try to focus on today and remind myself there is more good stuff yet to come." Here, we ask Rabbi Rubenstein our version of the Four Questions. — Robin Schwartz WHAT BOOK, CD OR OTHER MEDIA ARE YOU LONGING TO SHARE WITH OTHERS? I recommended the book The World To Come by Dara Horn this year for our Beth Ahm Book Club. The imagery in the book has stayed with me long after I read it [twice]. While the framework of the story is about a stolen Chagall painting, it addresses critical issues about our lives: How am I connected to the past? To what degree do I have the ability to shape my life? How can I create meaning in my life? 2 IF YOU COULD HAVE BRUNCH WITH ONE BIBLICAL OR HISTORICAL JEWISH FIGURE, WHO WOULD IT BE? Wow! That's a hard one. I guess it depends on what they're serving! I'd like to have brunch with Ezra [the high priest whose knowledge of the Torah is WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE JEWISH FOOD? 3 Anything my wife makes. She's the best cook! 4 WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? When I was 7 or 8 years old, I was on a plane from New York to Miami that was hijacked to Cuba. No one was hurt, but it was a pretty memo- rable trip! What I remember most was walking off the plane in the dark on a foggy night and getting onto a bus which took us to the terminal. We were there for eight hours — food and drink compliments of Eastern Airlines (of blessed memory) and many people lined up to buy cigars. a INTRODUCING the XEO Laser at Skin Deep Medi-Spa MAKE A SPLASH THIS considered to have been equal with Moses]. He lived at an exciting time, as the Babylonian exiles were returning, Jerusalem was being rebuilt and there was a strong sense of hope about the future. Plus, Ezra was instrumental in shaping the way we understand the role of Torah in the life of the Jewish commu- nity What can it do for you??? • fade brown spots • HAIR REMOVAL FOR ALL SKINTYPES/DARKER SKINS • rosacea and vein treatment • soften wrinkles SUMMER New XEO does it all better, faster, fresher. PLUS New . THERMAGE CELLULITE TIPS ARE HERE!! WITH THE HELP OF DR. MICHAEL W. GRAY. Be dimple-free for summer! Scarless Breast Enlargement • Scarless Breast Reduction FDA Approved Silicone Implants Now Available Smartlipo (Laser Liao) • External Ultrasonic Liposuction Tummy, Thigh, Breast and Face Lifts, Eye Lifts, Arm Tucks, Ear Pinning Cellulite Reduction • Laser Resurfacing • Skin Care • BOTOXT Cosmetic Microlift • Collagen • Restylane • Radiesse • Alloderm • JUVEDERMTM Perlane Filler • Prolite • FraxelTM • Thermage • And More. 10% Off!' Both Package Treatments at Skin Deep Medi-S (Not valid with any other offer. expires June 1, 2008. Must present coupon at time of service Now Offering Massage! New XEO Laser Hair Removal and Pearl Laser Treatments Win fillailill W. OM, D.O. 1111(111111. w. (1111V, D.O. Michigan Cosmetic Surgery Center Michigan Cosmetic Surgery Center 6635 DALY ROAD • WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI 48322 248.538.3333 www.ANEWYOU.com 6635 DALY ROAD • WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI 48322 Dr. Michael W. Gray, D.O. 248.538.3333 1382650 B 3 0 • JUNE 2008 • ji\T platinum 1382700 www.ANEWYOU.com Dr. Micha•l W. Gray, D.O.