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Back To The Garden

M

ore than 200 guests attended the
June 5 dedication of the Louis
and Fay Woll Memorial Bible
Garden at Congregation Beth Ahm in
West Bloomfield. Michigan's largest Bible
garden, the Woll garden is unique because
it reflects upon various biblical stories
and is comprised of plant and tree species
noted in the Bible.
Dedication participants experienced a
series of themes including the Garden of
Eden, Abraham and Sarah's Tent, Parting
of the Red Sea and the giving of the Bible
at Mt. Sinai. They viewed many species of

Beth Ahm's Bible garden is dedicated by the Woll family.

plants, flowers and trees that are identi-
fied by both their biblical references and
botanical names. Their visit concluded
at a replica of the Western Wall, one of
Judaism's holiest sites.
Dr. Douglas Woll, visionary for the proj-
ect, noted that his parents were the inspira-
tion for the Bible garden.
"I wanted to honor the memory of my
parents by creating something of beauty, of
spirituality, of renewal and of celebration
that could be connected to the unending
living link of the Jewish people," he said.
The Louis and Fay Woll Memorial Bible

Garden is a place for inner reflection, educa-
tion and social and community gatherings.
It is a place to understand and appreciate the
beauty and continuity of nature and its con-
nection to the Jewish people and to God.
The garden is on the campus of
Congregation Beth Ahm, 5075 W. Maple
Road, in West Bloomfield. It is open in the
spring, summer and fall from sunrise to
sunset. Guided visits can be arranged by
calling (248) 851-6880; visitors may come
at their convenience for self-guided tours.
Or view the garden online at
www.wollbiblegarden.org . I

Rabbi Steven Rubenstein checks out an

Cutting the ribbon: Samantha Woll

Participants at the dedication listen to

area of the garden depicting the parting
of the Red Sea.

of Washington, D.C., Monica Woll of

Margo Woll speak about the garden.

The Bible garden flanks the Beth Ahm
building.

Madison, Wis. and Drs. Margo and Doug
Woll of West Bloomfield

It's A Mitzvah

Annual day of giving

draws 150 volunteers

to help others.

n June 5, the Women's
Department of the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit sponsored It's a Mitzvah, a family-
friendly day of hands-on service projects
throughout the community.
More than 150 volunteers spanning
three generations volunteered at 14 sites Volunteers make flowerpots with residents at Danto Health
Care Center in West Bloomfield.
throughout the day.
Volunteers participated in projects
such as decorating flower pots with the
residents of Danto Health Care Center in
West Bloomfield, playing Bingo and board
games with the residents at four Jewish
Senior Life Apartments, giving manicures 414
to at-risk women at Haven in Pontiac,
planting flowers with residents at Kadima
homes in Southfield and Farmington Hills
and helping with JARC's Flowerathon in
Farmington Hills and Beverly Hills.
Co-chairs were Leslie Berlin of
Huntington Woods and Diane Goldstein
of West Bloomfield. Associate chairs were
Jessica Kwartowitz of Huntington Woods
Diane Orley of Bloomfield Hills and daughter Amanda, third from
and Marci Shienbaum of Franklin. I

left, helped JARC residents beautify their home with flowers.

12

June 23

Rikki Newman, Lynne Newman and Sydney Newman, all of

Huntington Woods, help plant flowers at a JARC home.

The Terner family of West Bloomfield helps plant flowers
at a JARC home.

