I

Health & Fitness

Love Of Outdoors

Foundation to be honored for sending kids
with Crohn's or colitis to camp.

Robyn Gorell

Special to the Jewish News

S

ummer camp is a rite of pas-
sage for many youngsters.
From "bug juice" and bar-
beques to impromptu musicals, hik-
ing and field trips, the memories last
for years. But, for some children and
teens with chronic illness and disease,
"sleep-away" camp is merely a dream.
On Dec. 1, a foundation set up in
memory of a local Jewish man who
loved kids, camping
and the outdoors
will be honored for
helping youngsters
with Crohn's dis-
ease or ulcerative
colitis enjoy a sum-
mer camp just for
them. The Michael
Michael
Yendick Foundation
Yendick
for Children is
being recognized at the 31st Annual
Gala Evening at the Movies hosted by
the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of
America, Michigan Chapter (CCFA).
Michael Yendick died in late 2000
at age 37 from colon cancer, after hav-
ing lived for many years with Crohn's
disease. Before his death, he talked
with his family members about want-
ing to do something that would benefit
children. A foundation was set up in
his name in 2001 to raise and donate
money to worthwhile children's causes.
His widow, now Debbie Silverman,
and her family learned about CCFA
and the summer camp being planned
for children with Crohn's or colitis.
The Yendick Foundation has been
the major supporter of the Michigan
Chapter's Camp Oasis ever since.
Many of Michael's extended fam-
ily, including his daughter Taylor,
now age 11, are active in the Yendick
Foundation, which conducts a major
golf fundraiser annually. Over the
past seven years, the foundation has
donated more than $450,000, enabling
nearly 700 children with Crohn's
disease or ulcerative colitis to attend
Camp Oasis.
Crohn's disease and ulcerative coli-
tis are collectively referred to as IBD

or inflammatory
bowel disease. IBD
interferes with
normal day-to-
day activities and
means pain, illness,
embarrassment,
discomfort, multi-
ple hospitalizations
and, for many, sur-
gery. A higher per-
centage of Jewish
individuals suffer
from IBD than the
Campers enjoy water activities at Camp Oasis.
non-Jewish popula-
tion.
Each summer more
than 100 youngsters
late Michael Yendick, notes, "Michael
attend the Michigan camp, now in
was a camper his whole life and a kid
Fenton, knowing there is round-the-
at heart. This involvement with Camp
clock specialist medical care available
Oasis honors Michael's memory and is
if they don't feel well. Just as at any
a real legacy to
summer camp, they swim, participate
Added CCFA Executive Director
in outdoor activities, go on field trips,
Bernie Riker, "The Yendick Foundation
do arts and crafts, enjoy campfires and provides an amazing opportunity for
make long-lasting friendships.
youngsters with Crohn's disease or
Fourteen-year old Rachel Sabbath
ulcerative colitis to experience summer
of Huntington Woods, a freshman at
camp. They return year after year. The
Berkley High School, was diagnosed
Yendick family and friends deserve
at age 11 with Crohn's disease. She
this recognition and our ongoing grati-
attended her first Camp Oasis, when
tude for their generosity and involve-
she was 12.
ment."
"It turned out to be a truly unique
The Gala Evening at the Movies is
experience," she said. "I am so comfort- a key source of revenue to support
able there. I don't have to worry if I get CCFAs mission to find a cause and
sick because everyone there is like me,
cure for Crohn's disease and ulcerative
and we have so much in common. We
colitis. The Dec. 1 event will feature a
talk about what it's like living with IBD. hors d'oeuvres-and-dessert pre-glow
The environment is so welcoming and
reception, the honoree presentation
everyone wants to help. I never have to
and the premiere of a new film. ❑
wonder if I can meet a challenge."
Sabbath speaks highly of the staff,
the volunteer counselors — many of
whom have IBD themselves, or know
someone who does
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation
— and medical per-
of America, Michigan Chapter
sonnel. The beach
(CCFA), 31st Annual Gala Evening
and other water
at the Movies, 6 p.m. pre-glow
activities are proba-
reception and honoree presen-
bly her favorites. She
tation, 8 p.m. movie premiere,
maintains friend-
Monday, Dec. 1, at the Uptown
ships with fellow
Palladium, 250 N. Old Woodward,
campers and attends
Birmingham. $75 per person. For
Rachel
reunions.
She
hopes
reservations,
(248) 737-0900 or
Sabbath
to attend camp again
e-mail Michigan@ccfa.org .
in 2009.
Harry Glantz, brother-in-law of the

Soul Music
Jewish songs,
yoga, join forces
at Temple Israel
class.

T

he lights dim, musicians
tune instruments and
Cantor Michael Smolash
steps to the microphone. At the
same time, Steve Feldman, co-
founder of Yoga Shelter, in quiet
voice leads participants through
poses.
Welcome to Musical Yoga.
"The music of the Jewish tradi-
tion flows and buoys up movement
and breathing:' says Cantor Michael
Smolash. "Both Jewish song and
yoga stem from n'shamah, or breath.
That is where they meet, and that is
what we celebrate in this remark-
able class."
Set for 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 2,
at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield,
this class is free of charge and open
to the public. The yoga class is
appropriate for all ages and levels,
from beginner to advanced.
Feldman will offer ways for mod-
ifying poses as needed throughout
the session.
"The purpose and goal of the
Yoga Shelter is to make yoga acces-
sible to everyone says Feldman.
"Yoga is not a religion but rather
a philosophy encouraging the
merging of mind, body and spirit
— which is really what Judaism is
all about as well. It's a natural pair-
ing: ,

This is the second in an ongoing
collaboration between Temple Israel
and Yoga Shelter. A first musical
yoga class took place at Temple
Israel in September with more than
20 people participating.
Sanga Yoga, the driving philoso-
phy behind the Yoga Shelter, strives
for oneness or wholeness — the
unification of mind, body and
spirit. Physical poses, music, philo-
sophical works and even conscious
approaches to nutrition are paths
toward this goal of completeness.
Founded in 2004, Yoga Shelter
operates four studios in Metro
Detroit and serves more than
11,000 students monthly among its
classes and special events. ❑

November 20 • 2008

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