Metro
AROUND TOWN
Fifties Flair
Temple Israel hosts retro music night to assist congregants in need.
Michael Walch and Joyce Keller of Waterford
Hillary King (center) is flanked by Dr. Jeff and Miriam
Vern and Ed Royal of West Bloomfield
Forman, all of Bloomfield Hills
L
eather jackets, poodle skirts, tie-dyed shirts and even
leisure suits made a brief comeback March 14 at Temple
Israel in West Bloomfield. More than 400 people showed
up in casual, groovy attire for the temple's annual "Music of the
Night" fundraiser. This year's event came
with a twist: The entire evening, from
the food to the music, was a throwback
to the 1950s and '60s.
"It was fabulous! Our cantors put on
a show with music from the Beatles
to Elvis:' said Temple Israel's execu-
tive director David Tisdale of West
Bloomfield. "It was a real escape back to
when I was growing up."
Cantor Michael Smolash and
Cantorial Soloist Neil Michaels put
on the performance, accompanied by the Simone Vitale Band.
They energized the crowd with hits like the Fifth Dimension's
"Aquarius" and even had people dancing in the aisles. The eve-
ning included a strolling supper with sliders, Coney dogs, chick-
en potpie and pizza, followed by desserts like Sanders hot fudge
cream puffs, root beer floats, and apple pie and ice cream. The
night of nostalgia and comfort food raised money to help make
temple membership affordable for families hurt by Michigan's
weakened economy.
"We have so many families in such great distress with so
many people out of work," said Tisdale. "We're just reach-
ing out to make sure they can stay affiliated. We're working
out payment plans with people and we want people to know
we're here to help. The same way the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit is assisting families in need, we're here
for our members." Li
Randi and Stuart Sakwa of Bloomfield
Hills
Josh and Shayna Levine of Huntington
Kari Provizer of Farmington Hills with
David and Heddy Blatt of Bloomfield
Jen Green and Andy Barbas, both of
Woods
Adam and Tracie Feinman of Bloomfield
Hills
West Bloomfield
A20
March 26 a 2009