To Do! CALENDAR E-mail items to calendar@thejewishnews.com Mail items to Calendar, the Jewish News, 29200 Northwestern Highway, Suite 110, Southfield, MI 48034 Fax items to (248) 304-8885 New deadline: noon, Tuesday, nine days prior to publication. Check It Out! ARTS & CULTURE EVENT HOTLINE Attend a book-signing with Mitch Albom, author of Have a Little Faith, 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, at Borders Birmingham, 34300 Woodward. His book focuses on an inspiring eight-year journey between two worlds — two men, two faiths, two communities. (248) 203- 0005. Don't delay registering for Shaarey Zedek Sisterhood's Mahj Madness Tournament 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, at the synagogue, 27375 Bell Road, Southfield. First place: $100. Bring 2009 Mahj cards. $15 for a reserved seat at a competitive table, $10 at a non-competi- tive table. Contact Saraphoena: sbkof- fron@comcast.net . CINEMA & STAGE Hear experts discuss "identity Theft: Prevention, Prosecution, Repair," 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27, at the Oak Park JCC. Ron Savage of FOX 2 News moder- ates. Sponsors: BBI Center for Senior Services, B'nai B'rith Great Lakes Region, Bloch-Israel unit, JCC and Credit Union One. Free. (248) 646-3100. Watch the movie, Harmonist, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, at the Northville District Library, 212 W. Cady, Northville 48161. The German film with English subtitles is based on the true story of an internationally renowned comedic German barbershop sextet before World War II. When Hitler comes to power, what will happen to the three members of the group who are Jewish? Free. (248) 349-3020. See the world premiere stage adaptation of The Hebrew Hammer by Jonathan Kesselman, adapted and directed by Frannie Shepherd-Bates, through Dec. 26, at Planet Ant Theatre, 2357 Caniff, Hamtramck. $15; $10 Fridays for students and age 60 and over. (313) 365-4948. See The Last Five Years, directed by Frannie Shepherd-Bates with musical direction by Michael Fiedler, weekends of Jan. 1-23, at the Furniture Factory, 4126 Third, Detroit 48201. Presented by Magenta Giraffe Theatre, the play portrays the life, love and demise of a relationship between actress Cathy and writer Jamie. Opening night, 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 1, is pay-what-you-can. Tickets/schedule: (313) 408-7269, www. magentagiraffe.org . COMEDY & MUSIC Hear the Andover High School Choir and Jilts from Bloomfield Hills perform as part of the DSO's "Home for the Holidays" concerts through Dec. 20, in Orchestra Hall.10:45 a.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday, 8:30 p.m. Friday, 3 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. (313) 576- 5111. www.detroitsymphony.com . Have Brunch with Bach, featuring Aaron Berofsky and Edward Parmentier, 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, at the Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward. Admission: (313) 833-7900 or www.dia.org . Interact with senior residents while working in the Jewish Senior Life (JSL) building's stores, cafes and gift shops in Oak Park and West Bloomfield. Become a friendly visitor, help at activities, field trips or games. Contact: Michel Ram (248) 592-1104, mram@jslmi.org. HOLIDAYS / SHABBAT Join Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America for fundraiser featuring local vocalists Lindsey Brenz, Katie Lynn Fried, Katherine Hardy, Bridget Leary and Rachel Sussman 7:30-11 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, at Steinway Piano Gallery of Detroit, 2700 E. Maple Road, Commerce. Event also offers desserts and a raffle. $18; $15 in advance. Katie Fried: (248) 819-2741. Celebrate Chanukah with Sara and Morris Tugman Bais Chabad Torah Center, 5595 W. Maple, West Bloomfield, on Thursday, Dec. 17. Features children's performance at 5:30 p.m., followed by public menorah light- ing at 6, at the corner of Maple and Orchard Lake roads, West Bloomfield. Back at the center: display of children's menorahs, take pictures with Judah the Maccabee, do crafts and games, purchase food from Sara's Deli. Rabbi Shneur Silberberg:(248) 865-1541, www. baischabad.com . HEALTH/ SUPPORT JEWISH LEARNING Attend monthly support group open to caregivers of older adults through the Dorothy & Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Care Program 7-9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, at Jewish Senior Life, Fleischman Residence, 6710 W. Maple, West Bloomfield. Free: RSVP to Fran Cook: (248) 592-5032. "Chinese Food for Thought" - Friday, Dec. 25, come to Congregation Beth Ahm for a Shabbat service at 6 p.m. followed by a catered kosher Chinese dinner and a talk by author Berl Falbaum recounting his experiences in Shanghai during World War II when the city was a refuge for European Jews seeking an escape from the Shoah. Adults $20, kids 4-10 $12, ages 3 and under free. RSVP by Wed. Dec. 23. Call (248) 851-6880 or e-mail director@cbahm.org . EVENTS THAT HELP HELPING OUT Serve dinner at the Hope Hospitality & Warming Center in Pontiac, a mitzvah opportunity offered through Congregation Beth Ahm's TOSAT Tikkun Olam / Social Action Team. Choose Explore the Kabbalah with Rabbi Elimelech Silberberg at his ongoing classes based on classical and con- EVERYTHING'S RELATIVE by Jordan B. Gorfinkel wwwjewishcartoon.com 1AK/N0 OFF RIGHf THERE VINCENZO? PETERSO N. fort CHRI57MA5, 1,41 -1H YOU, Crazy About Klezmer! Have fun at Temple Kol Ami Sisterhood and Brotherhood's "A Crazy Ninth Night of Chanukah" 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, featuring Receive initial training to be a Holocaust Memorial Center docent noon-2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, on the Zekelman Family Campus, 28123 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills. Register now with Selma Silverman: (248) 553-2400, ext.12. 02006 BY GO RFTEX T PRO DU CTI ONS IN C. ALL R IGH TS RES ERVE D. See JET's The Big Bang, through Jan. 3, at the West Bloomfield JCC. A musi- cal comedy about two hopeful writers seeking to produce a Broadway musical about the history of the world. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. $28-$36; discounts for seniors and students. Two New Year's Eve packages. Tickets: (248) 788-2900. one or more nights: Saturday-Monday, Dec. 26-28. Meals co-hosted by Beth Ahm, Temple Kol Ami and Adat Shalom Synagogue. To volunteer, contact Barbara Schechter Cohen: (248) 481- 9753, imbasha@aol.com . the Schmaltz Klezmer Ensemble. Concert, dance party and dessert buffet. All adults welcome: $18 per person. Tickets available at the door. Information: (248) 661-0040. Web site: www.tkolami.org . Kol Ami is at 5085 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield. PBS Series Special The Best of Victor Sorge Acts 1 and 2 on Wednesday, Dec. 23, at 1 p.m., at the Oak Park JCC. $3. (248) 967-4030. temporary esoteric texts 10:30 a.m. Sundays and 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, at Bais Chabad Torah Center, 5595 W. Maple, West Bloomfield. Details: (248) 855-6170 or bctc770@aol.com . The JPM/JCC Book Club will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, Dec. 24, at 1 p.m. at the Oak Park JCC. They will discuss the book Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. For information, call (248) 967-4030. Learn the "48 Steps to Wisdom," a lec- ture series developed by the late Rabbi Noah Weinberg of Aish HaTorah. Two opportunities are available: • Keter Torah Synagogue, 5480 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield: Speakers include Rabbi Alon Tolwin and Rabbi Tzvi Hochstadt of Aish HaTorah 7 p.m. Mondays. Additional co-sponsors include Fed Ed and Jewish Renaissance Project. No charge to attend. Free refreshments. (248) 565-2757, www. ketertorah.us. • Detroit Jewish News, 29200 Northwestern Hwy., Southfield: Rabbi Tolwin leads lunch-and-learn sessions noon Thursdays. Kosher lunch: $8. RSVP: (248) 948-9908, ext. 1. YOUTH Bring children with you to the Sleeping Beauty marionette ballet 2 p.m. Saturdays, through Dec. 26, at PuppetART Theater, 25 E. Grand River, Detroit. $5 children, $10 adults, plus $8 for optional puppetry workshop. (313) 961-7777, www.puppetart.org . Go Walking With Dinosaurs, the return of the popular animatronics show from Dec. 29-Jan. 3, at Cobo Arena, 300 Civic Center Drive, Detroit. Production is based on the award-winning BBC TV series of the same name. Show times: (313) 471-6611. Purchase tickets ($24- $69): (800) 745-3000. SENIORS On Monday, Dec. 21, at 1 p.m., come to Cafe Europa at the Oak Park JCC. The program will feature entertainment by Ben Opengeym. Free. Sponsored by the Holocaust Survivors and Families Support Group. (248) 967-4030. Join Bais Chabad Torah Center for "JM for KM: Jewish Music for Kids and Moms" (or grandmas) led by drama and music teacher Zeesy Silberberg Wednesdays in her home, 6231 Ramwyck Court, West Bloomfield. Schedule:10:30-11:30 a.m. for infants On Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 3 p.m., Ronnie Berman from "The Memory Club" will show how to improve your memory at the Oak Park JCC. $3. Sponsored by the Active Life. (248) 967-4030. The Active Life-Cojar will present the BECCA BETHBERNIE The Altruist The Realist The Idealist Calendar on page 52 YAEL LOUIS ZAYDS The Perplexed The Rebel The Traditionalist BU BS The Bubbe WITH ALL or U5 AWAY, WHO 15 COL/0R/N6 1-I-C Off/CO ? BORN/0. HE .605A//7" Ce-Lt-BRAI X - MA5, iN December 17 • 2009 51