Let The Games Begin! JCC kicks off the 2014 Maccabi Games and ArtsFest with a gala featuring the Maccabeats. T he Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit recently hosted its annual gala, "Celebrating 30 Years of Champions:' which honored JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest participants and marked three decades since Detroit first hosted the games. Following a healthy dinner designed with athletes in mind, guests went to the Berman Center for Performing Arts for a dazzling dance/ gymnastic performance by the United Rhythmic Gymnastics Inc., followed by a concert by the Maccabeats, an a capella group of students from Yeshiva University that has performed at the White House for President Barack Obama and is much-loved on YouTube. Their Detroit audience comprised everyone from athletes to day school teachers, who were singing along and dancing to the Maccabeats' versions of popular tunes. The event also honored five longtime JCC Maccabi Games supporters — Harold Friedman, Hugh Greenberg, Alan Horowitz, Mort Plotnick and Jay Robinson — as "Keepers of the Flame Their names were inscribed on a commemora- tive banner that will hang in the JCC gym in West Bloomfield. Detroit will host the 2014 JCC Maccabi Games & ArtsFest, Aug. 17-22. Game chairs are Rick Zussman and Karen Gordon; honorary chairs are Joel Jacob and Florine Mark. ❑ Spring Elation D The Maccabeats perform on stage at the Berman Center. JCC Executive Director Mark A. Lit and President Brian D. Siegel served as hosts of the gala. 6111 i Past, present and future JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest players also attended the event. Annual JARC fundraiser draws 2,000 for an evening at the zoo. espite the rain, the evening turned out to be perfect for the 15th annual JARC SpringElation event on May 22 at the Detroit Zoo. Nearly 2,000 partygoers and 180 volunteers joined event chairs Dani Gillman of West Bloomfield and Julie Hertzberg of Bloomfield Hills for a picnic dinner, arts and crafts activities, games, live entertainment and dancing — and, of course, a romp around the zoo. New to this year's event was a golf exhibit for all from the Simple World of Golf and the Millman N.R.G. Foundation, No Restrictions Golf. The event also recognized winners of JARC's first annual SpringElation art contest for students in pre-school through sixth grade. SpringElation is the major source of private funding for JARC's services for children and their families. This family community event raised more than $250,000 for JARC. All proceeds benefit children with disabilities receiving services through the organization's Merle and Shirley Harris Children and Family Division. Quicken Loans, Title Source, Gilbert Films and Bienenstock Nationwide Court Reporting & Video were official presenting spon- sors of the 2013 SpringElation. ❑ ow , Debra Nelson of Oak Park and her mother, Alicia Nelson of Southfield r Et Anne and Emilie Weiner of Bloomfield Hills Dalya Apap of Southfield with her art entry displayed at the zoo. Noa Fineberg and Sandy Danto of Rusi, Malkie and Leah Kohn of Oak Park Huntington Woods JN June 20 • 2013 27