Sunday, May 4, 2014 • 2PM & 7PM LIMITED SEATING AVAILABLE "! EXHIBIT FINALE Nazi Persecution Homosexuals Of WITH KEYNOTE PRESENTATION BY (Massachusetts - D, Retired) THE HONORABLE Guests are invited to enjoy complimentary light refreshments and view the exhibit following the presentations Tickets required ($18 non-members / $10 members) by phone 248.553.2400, ext. 124 ADMISSION: ■ Sponsored in part byBetween The Lines and Affirmations American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan Anti-Defamation League Henry M. Grix and Howard W. Israel Fund JCC Jewish Gay Network of Michigan rn PN C WEALTH MANAGEMENT Jewish Studies Eastern Michigan University Ruth Ellis Center University of Michigan-Dearborn, Office for Student Engagement (LGBTQ and Inclusion Initiative) Voice/Vision Holocaust Survivor Oral History Archive HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL CENTER ZEKELMAN FAMILY CAMPUS metro Rare Mitzvah from page 8 piano. Dancing would have been appropri- ate, but the close quarters made clapping more popular. The Aftermath People soon flowed outside to the park- ing lot, which became a respectful petting zoo starring the three animals. Lori Babcock-Largo, the Ohio donkey breeder, attended the mitzvah with her granddaughter even though her donkey didn't produce a firstborn male for this mitzvah. Although she's not Jewish, she says, "It was an honor — both times. It was something I was happy to do:' As Rabbi Neustadt explained, being present at the mitzvah equates to perform- ing the mitzvah, and all the witnesses work to elevate the mitzvah even more. "This is a historic occasion, the first time we've performed this unique mitz- vah with such majesty," Neustadt told the crowd. "We were skeptical. Who will come? Is it worth the effort and the toil? Detroit proved us wrong. There are so many people here to connect to a mitz- vah rarely performed. "We are all here to find a new and exciting way to connect to God. This is a 28123 Orchard Lake Rd. • Farmington Hills, MI 48334 www.holocaustcenter.org Tapper's Appreciates Outpouring Of Support Following Robbery 1915280 0 10E ZEI 1 MICHIGAN I Splendor! Obsession! Cruelty! Desire! Drenched in the colors of the exotic East, Puccini's extraordinarily rich and melodic score features one show stopping hit after another... including "Nessun dorma", the most popular aria ever written! Featuring Conductor Valerio Galli and the Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra Performed in Italian with English translations Saturday, May10, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May14, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 16, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May17, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May18, at 2:30 p.m. FREE Opera Talk with Dr. Wallace Peace, one hour prior to curtain Giacomo Puccini May10 18, 2014 - at the Detroit Opera House TICKETS a PRE-PAID PARKING CALL 313.237.SING or visit michiganopera.org El FOUNDATION General Motors FounclatIon supports MIchgan Opera Theatre 10 May 1 • 2014 J. Ernest & Almena Gray Wilde Fund Production Sponsor coi 7 • V APTWORKS. ibis actiAly supariel by tIle MICHIGAN COUNCIL FOR ARTS At:Da:an.. AFF,...1tneKATIONAL ENDOWMENT M0.7111, nus, fresh way. If we could exude a portion of this energy to daily brachas [blessings] and ways to connect to Kadosh Barchu [the Holy One] ..." Rose says, "It was a long time in the making, with a lot of people who worked hard to make it come together:' Aside from Tawil and Neustadt, help also came from Rabbi Yisroel Meir Butrimovitz of Chicago, who researched the mitzvah; Rabbis Yosef Krupnik and Yehudah Amsel, who helped secure the sheep; and Rabbi Shloime Newman and Boruch Rothenberg, who helped plan and coordinate the event. "Having grown up in this community and seeing its growth, it is certainly an overwhelming experience to see the Orthodox community coming together in unison — every flavor of Orthodox:' says Dr. David Ungar of Oak Park. "It's something we don't get a chance to do all that often:' DeeDee Berman of Oak Park agreed. "It was an opportunity for the entire community to come together to acknowl- edge the greatness of God," she says. "When we can come together on such an occasion, it's a simchah." ❑ Ronelle Grier Contributing Writer $17,000 combined reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the men who robbed Tapper's Fine Jewelry & Diamonds in the Orchard Mall in West Bloomfield on Tuesday, April 22, at around 5 p.m. According to West Bloomfield police, three armed robbers ordered the employees and customers to lie down on the floor, and then directed Howard Tapper a staff member to open a display case, which they emp- tied. The men left the store and were seen driving away in a newer model dark-colored minivan, believed to be a Chrysler Town and Country. The suspects, who were armed with handguns and a hammer, escaped with an unspecified amount of jewelry. No shots were fired, and no one was injured. Police believe a fourth per- son, the driver of the vehicle, was also involved. Howard Tapper, who, with his brother, Steven, founded the family- owned multi-generational business, expressed his gratitude for the out- pouring of support from friends, employees and longtime customers. "We had hundreds of calls, emails and people stopping by to lend their support:' he said, "and our associates banded together fantastically to help us get things back to normal:' He also praised the West Bloomfield Police Department for their fast response and follow-up assistance. "Not only did they arrive quickly, they also have been tremendously sup- portive since the incident," he said. Police believe the Tapper's robbery may be related to a similar incident that occurred in Kent County in west- ern Michigan earlier the same day. Tapper's, which has served the Metro Detroit community since 1977, is known for outstanding customer service and ongoing philanthropic endeavors that benefit a variety of local charities. Company spokesper- son Mark Tapper joined his father, Howard, in expressing appreciation for the support the business has received. "It's nice to know that being an important part of the community has paid its dividends:' he said. Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call West Bloomfield police at (248) 975-9200 or Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 1-888- SPEAK UP or 1-800-773-2587. ❑