Metro
AROUND TOWN
O
O
Camping In
Temple Israel campers make
the best of wet weather.
Franci Hirsch of Commerce Township plays tug of war. Behind her is husband, Greg.
Dana Cohen of Farmington Hills in a race
A
sum-
mer rain
storm
quickly turned a
planned campout
on the lawn of
Temple Israel in
West Bloomfield
into an indoor
slumber party.
About 30 families
set up their gear
inside the social
hall July 19 for the
fourth-annual Camp Imagine, an overnight
program sponsored by the temple's young
E
Brayden Hirsch, 7, of Commerce
Township colors a pillowcase.
Howard Blank of Royal Oak with his daughter Ella, 2
Brad Warren of West Bloomfield sets up camp with his
son Devin, 2.
adult group. It was the first year the weather
didn't cooperate, but the change of scenery
didn't dampen anyone's spirits.
"The kids actually thought it was pretty
cool to sleep inside their tents in the tem-
ple,' said Tracie Fineman, the synagogue's
director of programming. "It was humid
outside so it worked out well because it was
nice and cool inside'
The group made beaded flashlights,
Camp Imagine pillowcases and sun visors
(for a less rainy day). They also broke up
into teams and took part in traditional field
games like a three-legged race, a potato
sack race and tug o' war. Then there was a
cookout followed by a birthday party for
Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny
welcomes campers.
Mikki and Ivan Frank of Bloomfield Township with
their daughters Mia, 4, and Ellie, 2
Israel's 60th with cake and Israeli dancing.
"It was a blast!" said Ray Kantor of
Novi, who co-chaired the event with his
wife, Elise, and their children Naomi, 8,
Alexis, 5, and Sarah, 2. "There were no
other events scheduled so we had the whole
building to ourselves and plenty of space."
The Temple Israel clergy joined in the
fun, leading a Havdalah service and sing-
along with Hebrew and campfire songs
before the group made s'mores. Once the
children were asleep, the weather cleared
up enough for some of the parents to relax
around a campfire outside.
"This program has been a success every
year and we have a lot of returning fami-
lies:' said Fineman. "I think the novelty of
sleeping overnight at the temple is part of
what makes it so unique'
Spotted in the crowd "camping in" were:
Cheryl, Jason, Madison and Jack Copley
and Hayley, Brad, Ricki, Aiden and Devin
Warren, all of West Bloomfield; Mikki,
Ivan, Mia and Ellie Frank of Bloomfield
Hills; Noah, Jesse and Adam Krugel of
Novi; Franci, Greg, Brayden, Miles and
Mia Hirsch of Commerce Township;
and Amy, Marc, Jack, Sam and Hattie
Wander, Tracy, Allan, Abbey and Jacob
Weitzman, and Sarah, Todd and Micole
Wolfe, all of Farmington Hills. ❑
July 24 • 2008
All