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MfIZVAH
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MA KE IT A MITZVAH DAY

The Maccabeats in the kitchen making latkes — and singing

CHANUKAH VIDEOS!

Ruth Handler with Barbies

BARBIE'S STORY
GOES TO FILM

Actress Reese Witherspoon is co-produc-
ing and may star in a film about Ruth
Mosko Handler, the Barbie doll's Jewish
creator.
Variety reported that Witherspoon is
pairing with Bold Films on an adaptation
of the 2010 book "Barbie and Ruth: The
Story of the World's Most Famous Doll and
the Woman Who Created Her:'
Handler founded Mattel with her hus-
band, Elliot. She came up with idea for
Barbie; the doll came on the market in
1959. According to the Jewish Women's
Archive, Handler, who died in 2002, was
the youngest of 10 children born to Polish
Jewish immigrants. In addition to creat-
ing Mattel and Barbie, Handler, who had
breast cancer, created Nearly Me, a pro-
ducer of breast prostheses. *

SEGALS GIFT TO DIA

The Detroit Institute of Arts has named
an area of its gallery of ancient Greek and
Roman art in honor of the Merton J. and
Beverly Segal family's generous donation
to the museum's operating endowment. In
addition to Merton Segal and his late wife,
Beverly, the Segal's three daughters and
their spouses — Carol and Michael Ziecik,
Laura Segal, and Dana and Dr. Steven
Weinstein — will also be recognized.

▪

Every year at Chanukah, various groups come out with new holiday
videos for us to enjoy. So, while the holiday candles still burn brightly,
here are some more videos for your holiday pleasure. Check out:
• Singer Julie Geller offers an uplifting original song: bit.ly/lPzSisr.
• The Maccabeats — classic a cappella: bit.ly/1SWXfJu
• A One Direction Chanukah parody: bit.ly/llboFkn
• Six13 offers "Watch Me": bit.ly/1XEjrcM
• A Chanukah version of Adele's "Hello": bit.ly/lIriLWw
• Even the Muppets sing Chanukah songs: bit.ly/lIG1kMA
• PBS' Peg er Cat celebrate with Albert Einstein: bit.ly/lTnjyYP
• New Israelis taste their first sufganiyot: bit.ly/1MZcEaD
• And, of course, Adam Sandler's latest version: bitly/1Q00P6i
With thanks to Jacob Richman in Israel. To see his annual list of
videos, go to bit.ly/1LRcA91. *

Select your mitzvah and share your day on Friday,
Dec. 25, when the Jewish Community Relations
Council and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit once again present Mitzvah Day.
Volunteers of all ages can participate in dozens
of social service projects and activities throughout
Metro Detroit, including visits to older adults in
nursing care facilities, preparing and serving holiday
meals, and delivering toys and gifts to families in
need. Interfaith volunteer sites to work with Muslim
community volunteers will again be available.
Mitzvah Day event chairs are Janet Berman, Seth
Fisher, Micki Grossman and Milt Neuman.
More than 800 volunteers are anticipated to take
part. Sign up by Wednesday, Dec. 18, at detroitjcrc.
org/mitzvanday2015 . Volunteer spots are filled on a
first come, first-served basis. For details, call (248)
642-2656 or email nlevine@jfmd.org . *

DON WAS JOINS DIME

Detroit music producer and president of Blue Note Records Don Was, born Donald
Fagenson, has been named to the board of the Detroit Institute of Music Education
(DIME) in Downtown Detroit, according to Crain's Detroit.
Other board members include DIME founders Kevin Nixon and Sarah Clayman
as well as Charlie Rothstein, senior managing director of Beringea LLS, a venture
capital firm in Farmington Hills.
"Detroit artists have made a mind-boggling contribution to the world's musical
culture Was said in a news release. "DIME is a world-class facility that will play a
big role in attracting musicians from all over the country and developing the next
generation of musicians right here in Detroit. I'm thrilled to contribute in any way I
can to this exciting new effort in our city:' *

The late Beverly Segal was an artist, an
art historian and a passionate collector.
She was the guiding force in encouraging
the family's interest in various art forms,
including glass, music and design.
In addition to making his gift in honor
of his family, Merton Segal, a past president
of Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Township,
also wanted to recognize the DL6t's new
director, Salvador Salort-Pons, and the
ongoing leadership of Eugene Gargaro Jr.,
DIA chairman of the board, who helped

Grammy-Award winner Don Was

ADAT SHALOM BOOK DRIVE

the DIA raise money for the city of Detroit's
pensioners as part of the museum's com-
mitment to the Grand Bargain. *

Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills
is collecting new books to donate to children
at Bennett Elementary School and pre-
school programming in Southwest Detroit.
Collection boxes are in the synagogue's main
office and near the school office in the lower
level through Dec. 18. This new "partner
school" is working very hard to ensure the
success of its students, so donations will be
most appreciated. *

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WATCH THE MENORAH

Every year, Ben Forta and his family
create an outdoor Chanukah display
at their Oak Park home — but this
year they outdid themselves.
They built a giant animated elec-
tric menorah over their garage for all
to enjoy. A glowing shamash candle
glides across the menorah to light

18 December 10 2015

JN

the correct number of candles each
night.
The menorah has been in the plan-
ning stage since last Chanukah, and
Ben estimates that more than 100
hours of effort have gone into the
project.
Actual assembly began two months
ago by Ben and wife Marcy's sons,
Shmuel, 19, Eli, 17, Daniel, 15, and

Ezra, 12.
A video is online showing the
menorah in all its glory as well as
the behind-the-scenes electronic cir-
cuitry that makes it run. Visit
bit.ly/lXQ3ohr.
For those who want to view the
actual display, go to 25514 Gardner
in Oak Park each night of Chanukah
between 4:30 and 11 p.m.

