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Metro

AROUND TOWN

Auction Oasis

Yeshivat Akiva holds "tropical" fundraiser.

Michal and Howard Korman, president of Akiva, of Southfield

t was a mid-December getaway, if only for an evening. Congregation Shaarey Zedek
in Southfield was transformed into an ocean retreat for Yeshivat Akiva's 18th annual
Chinese auction.
The Dec. 14 fundraiser for the modern Orthodox Zionist day
school included a buffet dinner, bar and auction of fabulous
prizes, including flat-screen TVs, laptop computers, jewelry,
shopping-spree gift certificates, trips to Israel, New York and Las
Vegas, and a freezer stocked with food. Participants purchased
coupons for $10, $20, $35, $50, $75 and $100 and placed them in
different boxes for the chance to win the prize of their choice.
"They had a beach scene everywhere; it just felt very tropical,"
said Michal Korman of Southfield. Her four sons, Jacob, 15,
Jonny, 12, Andrew, 11, and Joseph, 6, attend Akiva.
"There were palm trees and light blue tablecloths," Korman
continued. "It was just beautifully decorated!'

Micha and Lesley Zwick of Huntington Woods

Henry Kleid of Oak Park and Jonathan Lowe of West Bloomfield

Some 400-500 people took part in the event, even in this difficult economy. Korman
says that's a testament to the wonderful work Akiva is doing and the day school's impor-
tance to the community.
"It's a small school and it's very heimish; everybody knows each other; everybody
helps each other in their time of need," she said. "Parents also get very involved with
running the programs."
In addition to the auction event, this year an eBay-style online auction was held for
four seats in the owner's box at a Cleveland Cavaliers basketball game and a LeBron
James autographed jersey. Those items alone brought in several thousand dollars. This
year's master of ceremonies was Micky Zuroff of Southfield. Brothers Sandy and Barry
Eisenberg of Southfield, who've handled MC duties over the last 17 years, were pre-
sented with an award for their service. Also spotted in the auction crowd were: Rifka
and Brian Jacobs, Ariella and Mark Nadel, Randi and Mark Zwick, Elana and Andy
Lofman, and Sarah and Marty Kornblum, all of Southfield.

Aviva and Dovid Gardin of Southfield

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Andy and Alana Lofman of Southfield

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December 18 • 2008

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