I I k
Four years later, Sergey attended
Vladimir's wedding in Metro Detroit,
finally completing the promise the two
made to each other on that park bench
so long ago.
Sergey and Vladimir continued to
maintain contact and began to visit
one another more often. Both families
vacationed in Europe together, and the
two also saw one another in Israel and
New York.
After Vladimir and Sergey each
became the father of two children, trav-
el became more and more complicated.
Yet when Sergey invited him to his first-
born son Daniel's bar mitzvah in Haifa,
Vladimir was determined to be there.
Last November, at a synagogue in
Israel, Vladimir had the honor of car-
rying the Torah during Daniel's bar
mitzvah ceremony.
"I feel so fortunate that I was able
to be there for Sergey and his son:'
Vladimir said. "I think it's very fit-
ting that Daniel is so close to the age
that Sergey and I were when we left
Ukraine. In a way, I feel like the friend-
ship has finally come full circle."
Today, Vladimir Gendelman lives
in West Bloomfield and is the founder
and CEO of Company Folders Inc., a
respected online folder printer. Sergey
Polyachok is an accomplished tour
guide specializing in personalized tours
of Israel, offered in English, Russian or
Hebrew.
❑
All the while, Zwiren had the sup-
port of her students. Before each
surgery, they helped her decorate her
crutches.
"I was on crutches for two years.
My students and I thought I might as
well make the best out of the situa-
tion so they helped me decorate them
with paint, duct tape and ribbons."
Zwiren's first surgery required her
to make the "heart-wrenching" deci-
sion to resign her summer staff posi-
tion at Tamarack Camps.
That fall, Zwiren asked to join the
staff of Tamarack's Family Camp.
Since then, her family camp clients
have become some of her biggest
supporters by visiting her or sending
cards after surgeries.
The end of her recovery is finally
here. This spring, Zwiren joined a
co-ed kickball league. She plans to
return to Tamarack this summer.
And, she is finally ready for her first
ballet lesson.
"I've dreamed of taking ballet my
entire life. Yes, it will be painful, but it
will be totally worth it."
❑
Congratulations to the
2014
recipients of the
B'nai B'rith
College Scholarship Program.
Danielle Keith
Marisa Meyerson
Mara Cranis
Alex Sitner
Scholarships will be awarded
at the 32nd Annual
B'nai B'rith Golf Outing
June 2, 2014
at Tam O'Shanter Country Club.
For more information or to donate,
visit www.bnaibrith.org/scholarship
or contact us at 248.646.3100.
WE'RE BUILDING COMMUNITY
THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS!
B'NAI B'RITH
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1918620
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KIDS — TEENS — ADULTS — GROUPS
Discover Michigan's TWO Adventure Parks —
in West Bloomfield and Frankenmuth! Choose
from different "treetop trails" all featuring zip
lines and climbing fun ranging from beginner
through advanced levels. Frankenmuth offers
five different trails, West Bloomfield offers 10
trails. Both parks are fun on your own or with
family and friends. We guarantee you'll bring
home some memories!
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FRANKENMUTH - 1375 Weiss Street - PH: (248) 429-7177
WEST BLOOMFIELD 6600 West Maple Road — PH: (248) 419-1550
—
JN
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