The Beth Ahm
family lights the
fourth holiday
candle together.
_dad
Fifth Night Festivities In
Birmingham
Adat Shalom preschoolers
share the holiday brightness.
The Five Senses Of
Chanukah At Beth Ahm
lutching hand-
made Chanukah
cards, the
youngsters walked the
short distance from their
preschool classrooms
to the senior residence
just across the parking
lot. Rabbi Rachel Shere
accompanied Hazzan
Max Upfall, 4, of West
Dan Gross and the chil-
dren and staff of the Adat Bloomfield, Mallory
Columbux, 3, of Keego
Shalom Early Childhood
Harbor, and Alexis Migliore,
Center to the Sunrise
3, of West Bloomfield
Assisted Living facility,
both in Farmington Hills.
With Gross on the keyboard, the children shared the
light of Chanukah by entertaining the seniors with a spir-
ited holiday songfest. Then they personally gave holiday
cards to their older friends.
Jewish law specifies that
the Chanukah menorah is
supposed to be lit in front of
a window that faces a street,
said Shere. The reason for
this is that the true mitzvah
of lighting the candles is pir-
sumah nisah or "publicizing
the miracle:' According to
the Sages, the purpose of the
Chanukah candles is to shine
our light out into the streets
Hazzan Gross with
— to brighten the world with our
the preschoolers
people's unique message of resilience
and ECC staff
and hope. The light of Chanukah is
at the senior
meant to be shared, and this year, Adat residence
he smell of oil and the taste of latkes, the spin
of the dreidel and the light of the menorah,
and the sound of more than 200 people recit-
ing the Chanukah blessings in unison allowed everyone
who attended Beth Ahm's Chanukah party to experi-
ence the holiday with all of their senses.
The tastes were abundant with a meal provided by
Dish Kosher Cuisine, whose creative approach to tra-
ditional and sweet potato latkes was the highlight of
"latke bar" Unique latke toppings like mushrooms in
wine sauce, salmon mousse and cranberry sauce were
enjoyed by all.
Youth activities also involved the senses and creativ-
ity, including the making of "Judah" and "Judith" bears.
Decorated with bright colors and Maccabee acces-
sories, each bear was a reflection of its child creator.
Handcrafted greeting cards, made by the Beth Ahm
Mitzvah Kids, will accompany donated toys and bring
light into the lives of children at local hospitals.
C
T
❑
Arthur Lebedinski proudly
displays his "Judah bear."
bout 120 peo-
ple enjoyed
the annual
Birmingham Chanukah
celebration on the fifth
night of the holiday
with a menorah lighting
in Shain Park, followed
by an After-Glow gath-
Hannah and Aviva Fridman
ering across the street in of Birmingham work at the
the Community House. crafts table.
On a crisp, clear
night, the crowd out-
side was welcomed by
Birmingham Mayor Pro
Tem Scott Moore, then
treated to a set of classic
Chanukah songs by the
singing ensemble Pella.
The After-Glow
included latices, hot soup
and doughnuts, along
with games and arts and Darren Skolnik of Birmingham
crafts. Soulful music
spins for first place while his
was provided by Shlomo mother, Suzanne, looks on.
and the Chutzpanyaks,
Jewish gospel from the heart of Detroit.
Birthday cake also was served in celebration of the
birthday of Rabbi Boruch Cohen, spiritual leader of the
Birmingham-Bloomfield Chai Center, which sponsored
the events.
For more information about the Chai Center, go to
www.bbchai.org, or call (248) 203-6721.
❑
•
A
Ethan Pavey, 3, of Franklin says "Happy Chanukah."
14
December 20 • 2012
Marni Foster Lupovitch and Dahvi Lupovitch enjoy
the latke bar.
Birmingham Mayor Pro Tem Scott Moore welcomes the
crowd at this year's Shain Park menorah lighting.