frontlines End-Of-Year Musings D on't look now, but this is my last where are you going, for how long, column of 2014. Hard to believe. and why? — I just cant seem to So, here's wishing you and yours tamp down the panic in my eyes a happy and healthy New Year. By the that may suggest that I'm in posses- way, remember to take advantage of the sion of more stolen state secrets than second chance we get at mak- Edward Snowden. ing resolutions; you know, the I think we'd all agree ones you've already made and that Canadians are more broken since Rosh Hashanah. laid-back than us, but I think 2015 will be an inter- seriously, why does that have to esting year for me, especially extend to their speed limits? A because in the next few months 100 kilometer maximum speed I will be turning slum, mina on their highways might sound ... sixty. Now for some random like a nice big number, but to us thoughts as I do some year-end "Type A-mericans" it's still only mental house cleaning. 62.137 mph! On the plus side, the How is it that a few weeks nicest surprise I found traveling Alan ago, after 10 years and mil- on the 401 between Windsor and Muskovitz lions of miles of travel through Toronto was the fact that I don't Jewish News space, scientists were able to recall seeing one single billboard. Columnist land an orbiter precisely where I believe Canadian laws prevent and when they wanted to on a annoying advertising messages comet going 425,000 miles per hour, but my from saturating their highways; a nice cable company still can't narrow down their change of pace for us drivers but much to arrival time to my house? the chagrin of personal injury attorneys. Speaking of travel, I just spent a wonder- My international experiences have not ful weekend in Toronto visiting relatives. I been limited to my travels to Canada. With don't know why, but whenever I cross into a Dec. 15 deadline looming for me to make Canada, I still get shpilkus every time I pull a decision on a new 2015 health care plan, up to the border patrol officer. I liken it to I've been spending countless hours research- the white coat syndrome anxiety I experi- ing numerous plans. However, the labyrinth ence when I'm about to have my blood that are the charts outlining the gazillion pressure taken. Though the attending offi- formulas for deductibles, coinsurance, cer's questions are innocent enough — like out-of-pocket maximums, co-pays, etc. is JN CONTENTS enough to give you a pre-existing condition. I learned a lot, but I had a lot of questions, which led me to call a major "American" health insurance carrier's helpline that turns out is manned by ... phone operators in the Philippines! I kid you not. Look, I've gotten used to getting my com- puter issues straightened out by some really nice folks from overseas, but I just can't see signing off on my health care coverage to someone whose language barrier might lead to me getting pre-approved for a lobotomy instead of a colonoscopy. Even though I already had a colonoscopy last week. Wait, sorry, that wasn't a colonoscopy. I'm con- fusing that with the feeling I got just after finding out what my new monthly premium was going to be! See you next year, everybody! ❑ Alan Muskovitz is a writer, voice-over/acting tal- ent, speaker, emcee and a regular guest host on the Mitch Albom Show on WJR AM 760. Visit his website at laughwithbigaLcom and "Like" Al on Facebook. theJEWISHNEWS.com Dec.4-10, 2014 I 12-18 Kislev 5775 I Vol. CXLVI, No. 17 Around Town 22 Arts/Entertainment ...53 25 Calendar 28 Camp Guide Food 58 Gift Guide 40 Here's To 16 Israel 11-12, 38 JN Archives 6 Letters 5 61 Life Cycles Love Connection ....64 Marketplace 64 Metro 8 Obituaries 69 Out To Eat 26 Points Of View 38 Sports 52 Staff Box/Phone List... 6 Synagogue List 50 Torah Portion 49 Shabbat: Friday, Dec. 5, 4:41 p.m. Shabbat Ends: Saturday, Dec. 6, 5:47 p.m. Shabbat: Friday, Dec. 12, 4:41 p.m. Shabbat Ends: Saturday, Dec. 13, 5:48 p.m. Times are from Yeshiva Beth Yehudah calendar. Columnist Danny Raskin Shabbat Lights 60 Marla Kaminsky has walked the walk. A few years ago, when she was living in Memphis, Marla had delivered her second child and was pushing 200 pounds. "I knew I needed help to lose the weight," Marla said. "but I was a busy mom and I needed account- ability. I looked around and found success with Diet Center. Some time later, an opportunity presented itself for my husband and Ito return to Michigan and open a Diet Center franchise of our own in West Bloomfield, and we took it." The couple approached Hebrew Free Loan's Marvin I. Danto Small Business Loan Program with their business plan and requested help with funding their new venture. After approving an interest-free Danto Business Loan for Diet Center, Hebrew Free Loan Board members were present to support Marla at her ribbon-cutting in January. "HFL has been just wonderful," Marla said. "They've helped give us confidence starting a new business in our hometown. There was a tremendous opportunity in front of us, and we felt we could take this calculated risk with their advice and support, just as we advise and guide our own clients. We're now approaching the end of our first year, and the challenge has been worth it. "HFL helped us so we can help others to be well and bring their family and friends to wellness along with them." Click. Call. Give Now. www.hfldetroit.org 248.723.8184 Health. A fresh start. A good education. The next great business idea. Hebrew Free Loan gives interest- free loans to members of our community for a variety of per- sonal and small business needs. HFL loans are funded entirely through community donations which continually recycle to others, generating many times the original value to help main- tain the lives of local Jews. HEBREW Our JN Mission The Jewish News aspires to communicate news and opinion that's useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. It strives to reflect the full range of diverse viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continu- ity. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, caring, enjoyable work environment that encourages creativity and innovation. We acknowledge our role as a responsible, responsive member of the community. Being competi- tive, we must always strive to be the most respected, outstanding Jewish community publication in the nation. Our rewards are informed, educated readers, very satisfied advertisers, contented employees and profitable growth. Cover page design: Michelle Sheridan. The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275-520) is published every Thursday at 29200 Northwestern Highway, #110, Southfield, Michigan. Periodical postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send changes to: Detroit Jewish News, 29200 Northwestern Highway, #110, Southfield, MI 48034. FREE * LOAN hfldetroit.org We Provide Loans. We Promise Dignity. 6735 Telegraph Road, Suite 300. Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 O Hebrew Free Loan Detroit 1. @HFLDetroit :A2tSEE -11 VIE JN December 4 • 2014 3