Metro

AROUND TOWN

Fit for a Queen

Photo by Ang le Baan

"Vashti's Banquet" Purim celebration features food, music, wine and belly dancing.

Suzie Terebelo of Southfield and Karen Couf-Cohen of Franklin

M

ystery and intrigue surrounded a special women-
only Purim celebration Feb. 24 at Congregation
Shaarey Zedek Southfield. Participants arrived to
find a dimly lit room, tables covered with scarves and ancient
looking vessels, and the mesmerizing sounds of Middle
Eastern music beckoning in the background. The party,
sponsored by Shaarey Zedek's Sisterhood, was a modern-day
interpretation of Queen Vashti's banquet for women at the
royal palace described in the Purim story.
"The idea was just to have a fun ladies night out; no men
were allowed," said Nancy Goldberg of West Bloomfield.
"People took off their shoes or wore sandals in the spirit of
the evening. It was supposed to take you back to the days of
ancient Persia?'

Susie Fenster of West Bloomfield and Suzy MacDonald of West Bloomfield

About 60 women took part in the event. They enjoyed wine and a Middle Eastern-
style feast by candle light. Some got nonpermanent henna tattoos. After dinner,
belly dancer Lana Mini of Saint Clair Shores, director of Detroit Bellydance, put
on a hip shaking performance and also taught the group some traditional dance
moves.
"She explained to us that belly dancing was originally created by women for
women," said Randi Berris of West Bloomfield. "She was amazing. But, when we
tried the dance moves it was pretty hilarious."
The group also enjoyed dessert and an exotic performance by Michigan's only
all-female all-Jewish dance troupe, the Festival Dancers. Spotted in the Vashti's
Banquet crowd were: Organizers Suzie Terebelo of Southfield and Karen Couf-
Cohen of Franklin; Karen Rosenberg of West Bloomfield, Jeri Fishman and Janet
Pont, both of Southfield; Susan Klein of Huntington Woods; and Jennifer Teper of
Farmington Hills.

❑

Belly dancer Lana Mini of

Jeri Fishman of Southfield and Susan

Pamela David of Farmington Hills, Karen

Joan Brode and Raya Goldenberg,

Saint Clair Shores

Klein of Huntington Woods

Katz of West Bloomfield and Mary

both of Huntington Woods, with

Knoll of Bloomfield Hills

Miriam Goldberg of West Bloomfield

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March 4 • 2010