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NEW PLACE TO TALK
BELLY UP TO THE LATKE BA R
A new website dedicated to conversa-
tions by and affecting the Jewish world
was launched recently and already
has scores of participants. MazelTalk
founders say it provides an open forum
for a wide range of political, religious,
cultural and denominational views and
affiliations. The www.MazelTalk.com
tagline, "Talk Amongst Yourselves:'
reflects that assertion.
"We want to give people the oppor-
tunity to express views, ask questions
Congregation Beth Ahm in West Bloomfield wel-
comes all to its famous latke bar dinner starting
with candlelighting at 6 p.m. on the fourth night of
Chanukah, Wednesday, Dec. 9. Bring your menorah
and a hearty appetite for traditional and sweet potato
latkes with toppings such as applesauce, sour cream,
mushrooms and wine sauce, cranberry sauce and more.
The evening will also include Chanukah games, crafts, cook-
ie decorating and strolling magic by Jeff Olds.
Cost is $5 per person; kids age 3 and under are free. Advanced registration by Monday,
Dec. 7, is required. Call (248) 851-6880 or email Alison at ablau@cbahm.org .
The Chanukah party is co-sponsored by the Beth Ahm Men's Club and Sisterhood. *
Dan Sonenberg and some
and engage with others in intelligent
discussion:' says Wayne Silverman, one
of the founders of the site. Visitors can
experience the site without register-
ing, and can anonymously register at
no cost to participate to create new
discussions and comment on existing
conversations. *
titIcAZELTALK
TALK AMONGST YOURSELV
NEW FOR CHANUKAH
BEWARE OF TOYS
Look for some new items for Chanukah at
Johnny Pomodoro's market in Farmington
Hills. Managing partner Dan Sonenberg
recently returned from the annual
Kosherfest in New Jersey with some
kosher holiday treats: nut-free chocolate
coins, candy-filled dreidels, blue and
white chocolate baking bars and more.
Plus look for dreidel and Star of David
muffin molds, reusable water-filled
dreidel ice cubes, Chanukah-themed
cookie cutters and Lapid-Or (a set of 44)
oil candles. Since Hiller's closed earlier
this year, Sonenberg says he remains com-
mitted to upping his kosher and Jewish
offerings at Johnny Pomodoro's. *
Dangerous or toxic toys can
still be found on America's
store shelves, according to
the Public Interest Research
Group Education Fund's 30th
annual Trouble in Toyland
report. The survey of poten-
tially hazardous toys found
that, despite recent progress, consumers must
still be wary when shopping this holiday season.
The report reveals the results of laboratory
testing on toys for toxic chemicals, including
chromium and phthalates, both can have seri-
ous, adverse health impacts on a child's develop-
ment. The survey also found examples of toys
that pose a choking hazard, extremely loud toys
TOXIC
MAGNETS
NOISE
CHOKING
that can threaten children's hearing and power-
ful toy magnets that can cause serious injury if
swallowed.
For 30 years, the Trouble in Toyland report
has offered safety guidelines for purchasing toys
for small children, and provided examples of
toys currently on store shelves that pose poten-
tial safety hazards. Find the report at
toysafetytips.org. *
new Chanukah items
ENJOY THROWBACK THURSDAYS AT THE BERMAN
An interesting twist to a traditional night out
is now available with Throwback Thursday at
the Berman Center for the Performing Arts
at the West Bloomfield Jewish Community
Center.
Each Throwback Thursday event features
a well-renowned, classic movie that is sure to
have you reliving great memories from your
youth. It is the perfect setting for a couple's
night out or a gathering of friends.
Here is the movie lineup:
The Goonies: Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015 at
7:30 p.m.
RICHAII0 0061IR
NO, NOT THERE!
5tiCK stiCKs
UP your Nose!
Don't Stuff 5- tuff In Your Ears!
Don't
Following a five-year residency in otolar-
yngology at Detroit's Henry Ford Hospital
and 17 years in practice, Dr. Jerald
Altman of Phoenix is never amazed by
what he has to remove from the noses
and ears of his child patients — beads,
candy, nuts, buttons and more.
So, in an effort to teach kids not
to put dangerous objects where they
don't belong, he wrote a book, Don't
Stick Sticks Up Your Nose! Don't Stuff
Janie S. Altman, M. and Rchand Jacobson
28 December 3 2015
E.T. The Extra Terrestrial: Thursday, Feb.
4, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
The Wizard of Oz: Thursday, Mar. 3 at
7:30 p.m.
For a few extra dollars, you can order a
VIP Table for you and your friends (mini-
mum size two people) to sit at a table by the
bar with snacks provided by the JCC.
General admission tickets are $12,
VIP Tables are $15/person (minimum two
people). Tickets are available online at
theberman.org or by calling (248) 661-
1900. *
JN
Stuff In Your Ears. He recently updated
the book, co-authored with Richard
Jacobson, to include cultural references
for Jewish children, such as "No dreidel
up your nose! No shofar in your ear!"
Through cute illustration and rhyming
schemes, Altman provides a fun, engag-
ing way to get his point across. The
book is published by ZonaBooks LLC
and available at dontstickdontstuff.com
and through Amazon ($12.50). *
LEARN TO TEACH READING
Designed to inform and energize new and
veteran literacy volunteers, "Using Phonics
to Teach Your Students to Love Reading" is
the focus of the Detroit Jewish Coalition for
Literacy's (DJCL) winter workshop from 1-3
p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, at the Max M. Fisher
Federation Building in Bloomfield Township.
Yellow Gandhi, a phonics methodology
trainer and longtime Montessori teacher, will
instruct participants in the use of the phonics
method to improve reading fluency.
Founded and facilitated by the Jewish
Community Relations Council, the DJCL
engages volunteers from local Jewish orga-
nizations to impact students in grades K-3
in schools in Detroit and Oakland County
through tutoring and enrichment programs
and book drives.
To register for the workshop or learn
more about volunteer opportunities,
contact Sandy Lippitt at (248) 642-2649
of email slippitt@jfmd.org. *