advocate for one another. The respect
and reverence they show for each other
is inspiring."
Support at Shir Shalom contributed
to Piontek's decision to convert to
Judaism. In Germany, she studied many
religions but was always attracted to
Jewish teachings and culture.
"I always felt I had a Jewish soul;' she
said.
The Sterns are a two-shul family. He
goes with her to the weekly tish (discus-
sion) at Shir Shalom, and he belongs
to Reconstructionist Congregation
T'Chiyah in Oak Park.
"Guy says that because of me, he's
become more Jewish," said Piontek.
Good Life Together
Piontek says the couple's age differ-
ence plays no role in their daily lives,
although she is occasionally mistaken
for Stern's daughter.
"I don't have half of his energy:' she
said. "I was always afraid that when I
turned 44, he would exchange me for
two 22-year-olds. He gets up every day
at 5 in the morning to swim."
Stern says the qualities he most
admires about his wife are her honesty,
her reliability and her sense of humor,
which is similar to his own.
"It is a constant intellectual challenge,
and it is a wonderful exchange of com-
mon emotions ranging from sadness to
absolute happiness; also we reinforce
each other's interests and hobbies and
new explorations:' said Stern.
"We are a good team:' she said. "We
laugh a lot."
Professionally, the author uses
Piontek, the name of her former hus-
band; otherwise she goes by Stern, a
name she likes because it is the German
word for "star."
Although Piontek speaks English
fluently, at home she and her husband
speak German, which is also Stern's
native language.
During a recent trip to Europe,
Piontek made arrangements for the
publication of her new book, which
is scheduled for release next year in
Germany. Stern has already translated
some of the stories for an upcoming
English version.
He said that when he is translating his
wife's work, he was surprised by the end-
ings to her stories. After he finishes trans-
lating, they review each story together.
"I'm very critical;' said Piontek, "but
all in all, he did a great job, and I'm
grateful for his help."
A worrier by nature, Piontek says she
tries not to fret about the future.
"I'm grateful for every year I have
with him:' she said. "One never knows
— I just try to enjoy what I have right
now and count my blessings. He is
my family, and I am his. We are best
friends." II
Susanna Piontek will speak about her book
"Have We Possibly Met Before? And Other
Stories" at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the
ALL-YOU-CAN-SEE
BUFFET.
Friday Night Live!
The Aerial Angels conjure up their dark side with a special Halloween
performance on the aerial hoop and silk, including acrobatics,
fire eating, and more. Performances at 7:00 and 8:30 p.m.
Family Sundays
Explore the artists whose works haunt the galleries.
Follow the trail in the printed map to spaces featuring eerie
lighting, sounds in the dark, and secret-spilling guides.
Sunday Music Bar
Mexican flutist Cuauhternoc Garcia Verdugo and
Bulgarian pianist Angelina Pashmakova perform at
1:00 and 3:00 p.m., part of a series of concerts by musicians
from Mexico. Sponsored by the Consulate of Mexico.
JCC in West Bloomfield and 7:30 p.m. at the
Now on View
JCC in Oak Park. (See Book Fair/Holocaust
Detroit Revealed: Photographs 2000-2010
on page 49.)
All events are free with museum admission.
Find info at www.dia.org .
Sh'ma! Detroit
Day of learning uses prayer's unifying power.
ore than 50 congrega-
tions and Jewish organiza-
tions have signed on to
support "Sh'ma! Detroit. Learning.
Together:' an event on Sunday, Nov. 6, at
the Jewish Community Centers in West
Bloomfield and Oak Park.
Sponsored by Federation's Alliance for
Jewish Education, FedEd Department,
the Jewish Community Center's
60th Annual Jewish Book Fair and
SAJE (Seminars for Adult Jewish
Enrichment), this is the second annual
community day of Jewish learning and
is tied into the international Global Day
of Learning.
Sh'ma is the first word of what is con-
sidered the most important of all Jewish
prayers; it is also the Hebrew word for
"listen:" The theme for this year's com-
munity day of learning is the unity of
the Jewish people through the Sh'ma
— being one people. Through speakers,
workshops and activities, participants
will explore the many meanings of Sh'ma.
Sh'ma! will kick-off at 12:45 p.m.
Nov. 6 at the JCC in West Bloomfield
with keynote speaker Rabbi Joseph
Telushkin, followed by workshops fea-
turing area rabbis, educators, commu-
nity leaders and activists.
The event then will move to the JCC
in Oak Park with additional workshops,
followed by endnote speaker Rabbi
Beryl Wein.
This year, 22 workshops offer topics
ranging from music and art to history,
Bible studies and anti-Semitism. New this
year are workshops for parents learning
new tools for getting their toddler to bed,
techniques for dealing with their child's
challenging behavior, and for developing a
model for listening to their teenager.
A special session, "Who We Are —
Listening to Our Voices," will feature
students from Frankel Jewish Academy.
Sue Birnholtz and Cheryl Guyer are
co-chairs of the event.
Cost is $6 registration fee, free for high
school and college students with a cur-
rent ID. Register by Nov. 2 and receive a
$5 coupon toward any one item at the
Jewish Book Fair. Walk-ins are welcome
and workshops are "first come, first
seat." To register, go to jewishdetroit.org/
shma or call (248) 642-1643.
DA
DETROIT
INSTITUTE
OF ARTS
5200 Woodward Ave. 1313-8ii-7900!
If yore not wearing it... sell it!...
or BORROW on it!
You can't enjoy jewelry if it's sitting in your safe
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We deal in jewelry, watches, diamonds and coins.
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Keep your company top of mind with our readers.
ADVERTISE WITH US! CALL 248.351.5107
Visit theJEWISHNEWS.com
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October 27 • 2011
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