IF YOU HAVE RELAPSING MS, YOU'RE INVITED. Seder from page 34 tance. People who used to be friends may not be anymore, through no one's fault, really. When you end a marriage, you change, and sometimes that means friendships change, too. In the past two years, I've gone from being married to being single, my daughters have left for college and adulthood, and my two sis- ters, both of whom live in different states, lost their husbands, suddenly, far before their time. It's been tough. Last fall, we couldn't be together for the High Holidays because of an upcoming bat mitzvah celebration. So my sisters and I were each alone in our home states. Surprisingly, none of us, each in our own com- munity, were being invited to join other families or friends. It surprised me, as someone who has always been involved in and fond of my Jewish community, to have to ask to spend a holiday meal at friends' houses. I did, and they said, of course, and all was well. It is just sometimes uncomfortable hav- ing to ask. munity in this stage of my life, so be it. A dear friend shared a story of how, when she divorced, people stopped inviting her for Shabbat meals. So she decided to make new friends and invite them for Shabbat. At first, it hurt. But eventually, she shifted into her new life, embracing the new person she was becoming and accepting that some friendships last a lifetime, and some only last a while. I hope people in our community recognize that there are all different kinds of Jews living here in Detroit. It's easy to be friends when life goes easily by. But it's when things get tough, when we change, when we make hard decisions that we need our community the most. Even if you don't know what to say, it's bet- ter to simply sit together and be there, showing your unspoken sup- port. Inclusive Feeling This Passover, I took a chance and asked individuals if they had any place to go. If they didn't, I invited them to my seder table. I am creat- Spring Into Community ing my own community. So this spring, with another holiday In theory, minyan is our daily upon us to observe and celebrate ritual to create community, but with with community, I decided to host diminishing numbers of attendance, two of my own seders, inviting dif- we all know that's not holding us ferent people each night so not only together. It's time for a new ritual would I not celebrate alone, but I for day-to-day life that creates com- also would do my best to make sure munity and makes everybody feel no one else would either. included. It's important to me to have I love the story of Abraham's tent a sense of community. And if it being open on all four sides, all the means I have to make a new com- time — not just during crises. It's a lesson to be open to welcoming the stranger, to mak- THE WISE ing sure every- one has a place SOLOMON MY KING, to be. For we THE UPLIFTING NEWS THERE'S UPLIFTING IS THAT IN ISRAEL were all strang- NEWS AND THERE'S NO ONE IS ABOVE ers in a foreign DEPRESSING NEWS. THE LAW! land, which we remember at this time of year. It doesn't take much to be that stranger among your own people yet again. POLITICALCARTOONS.COM DRYBONES.COM ONE DIFFERENCE. The One Day for Every Day event for people with relapsing MS and their care partners. - SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014 - Get information from MS experts, learn about an oral treatment option, and connect with the community. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Free parking is available. We hope you'll join us. • • • MS EXPERT PANEL: A neurologist, people living with MS, and others will discuss MS and a treatment option, and answer questions - so bring yours. Featuring: Howard S. Rossman, D.o., FACN, Medical Director, M.I.N.D, Multiple Sclerosis Center, Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders Daniel S. Bandari, MD, MS, Director, Multiple Sclerosis Center of California & Research Group, Hoag Neurosciences Institute WORKSHOPS: Join 1 of 3 different sessions led by experts: Effectively Communicate Your MS Story Make Technology Work for You MS and Your Relationships MS HEALTH FAIR: Organizations, companies, and support groups devoted to people living with MS will be on hand to talk, share, and help. Adoba Hotel 600 Town Center Drive, Dearborn, MI 48126 SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM (Registration and MS Health Fair open at 10:00 AM) FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER, GO TO 1day4everyday.com OR CALL 1-866-703-6923 TODAY! 1910580 Dry Bones SOLOMON ❑ A FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF OURS HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF TAKING BRIBES. ow will you show dour love this Nother's Da0 Donate to The Joy Project at Jewish Family Service, and we'll send a beautiful card acknowledging your gift to the special women in your life. You can show your love to the mothers, daughters, family and friends in your life. You'll also help support women in need in our community! Alisa Peskin- Shepherd is a family law attorney and principal at Share the Love. Visit jfsjoyproject.org , call 248-592-2673, or email joyproject@jfsdetroit.org to give! Bloomfield Hills- based Transitions Legal (www. transitionslegal. Jewish Family Se of Metropolitan Detro com). She lives in Birmingham. PROJE Share the Love JN April 17 • 2014 35