community

Star-filled Happening

Seniors are honored at JSL's annual Oldest Jewish Americans Brunch.

Shelli Liebman Dorfman

I Contributing Writer

T

o the piano stylings of Ben Opengeym and the tunes
of the vocal trio, the Satin Dolls, nearly 150 mem-
bers of our Jewish community who are 95 years and
older were honored at the May 3 Bessie Spector Oldest Jewish
Americans Brunch.
The annual event, which took place at Congregation Shaarey
Zedek in Southfield, was themed "The Greatest Generation:
We Honor Our Stars:' and paid tribute to the value that senior
members bring to our lives and community.
With valet service and other star treatment, honorees were
welcomed at the door by volunteers and led to a room filled
with floral plants, large, glittery stars and movie-themed cen-
terpieces.
Co-chaired by Hannah Moss and Phyllis Schwartz, the event
included a shared meal, with guests enjoying the swing and big
band music of Linda, Patty and Eleonore, aka, the Satin Dolls.
Honorees received a certificate signed by Gov. Rick Snyder.
As in the past, the event was emceed by Jewish Senior Life
of Metropolitan Detroit (JSL) Foundation Director Carol
Rosenberg, always dressed for the occasion; this year donning
tux and tails, top hat and glitz.

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Belle Siegel, 106, and Kim Chesbrough at the
Bessie Spector Oldest Jewish Americans Brunch

The Satin Dolls provide musical entertainment for
the crowd.

The Chernoff family recites HaMotzi.

Maccabi Gala May 28 To Kick Off Games In Detroit In 2014

T

he Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan
Detroit will hold its annual Gala and Reunion,
"Celebrating 30 Years of Champions," at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, May 28, at the Berman Center for the Performing
Arts in West Bloomfield.
The event will mark the three decades since Detroit first
hosted the JCC Maccabi Games, and it will kick off the JCC
Maccabi Games and ArtsFest to be held here in 2014.
Joel Jacob and Florine Mark will be honorary chairs of the
event; game chairs are Rick Zussman and Karen Gordon.

114 May 23 • 2013

More than 6,000 boys and girls, ages 13-16, participate
every summer in the JCC Maccabi Games. The JCC Maccabi
ArtsFest features workshops, performances, exhibits, com-
munity services and social activities.
All gala guests are invited to wear medals and pins from
past games and appear in photos with fellow JCC Maccabi
athletes, artists, coaches, volunteers and friends.
The cost of this year's Gala is $36 (Supporter), $125
(Sponsor, includes two tickets) and $360 (Patron, includes
two tickets), with all proceeds benefiting youth program-

Carol Rosenberg emcees the event.

••••-•
.14
Sam Borak, 100, and his granddaughter, Caryn
Zeitlin

ming at the JCC.
The Gala and Reunion will include dinner, a dessert
reception, photo opportunities and entertainment by the
Maccabeats, a New York-based a cappella group famous for
its clever lyrics about Jewish life.
The Gala meal will be a healthy dinner created with
athletes in mind. Inspired by Weight Watchers Group
President/CEO Florine Mark and Weight Watchers
Group Chef Isabella Nicoletti, it will be prepared by the
Epicurean Group's Chef Frank Turner.
For information about the JCC Gala and Reunion, contact
Paul Barker at (248) 432-5538.

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