metro >>
>> calendar
A White House Chanukah
Much To Do!
Metro Detroiters join the celebration with the first family.
SATURDAY, DEC. 26
FESTIVUS PARTY
Esther Allweiss Ingber I Contributing Writer
7:30 pm, Dec. 26. NEXTGen invites young
adults to hang out. At Fifth Avenue Sports &
Entertainment, 215 Fifth Avenue, Royal Oak.
Information: Emily, zussman@jfmd.org .
p
resident Barack and First Lady
Michelle Obama's annual celebra-
tion of Chanukah at the White
House included a significant contingent
of attendees either from Metro Detroit or
with Detroit connections on Dec. 9 — the
fourth night of the holiday.
Former Detroiter Matt Nosanchuk
of the White House Office of Public
Engagement oversaw the event. Adam
Finkel, a partner in Orfin Ventures and a
IN contributing writer, provided recom-
mendations for several local and national
Jewish representatives (see box).
Chai Notes, a Jewish-themed a cappella
group at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.,
greeted arriving guests. Escorted upstairs,
the approximately 550 representatives
from the American Jewish community
shmoozed and enjoyed kosher food,
including lamb chops, and beverages
while the U.S. Marine Chamber Orchestra
played.
Allan Gale, associate director of the
Jewish Community Relations Council of
Metropolitan Detroit, mentioned "tasty
latkes, mass quantities of lox and dreamy
desserts:'
Birmingham Temple Rabbi Jeffrey
Falick said he "especially enjoyed the
opportunity to wander in and out of so
many of the famous White House rooms
and to see the iconic paintings of presi-
dents and first ladies:'
President Obama spoke meaningfully
about the holiday of Chanukah. He noted,
too, "that when we're called out to speak
on behalf of refugees or against religious
persecution, American Jews remember
what it was like to be a stranger and are
FRIDAY, JAN. 8
ANN ARBOR SHABBAT
6:30 pm, Jan. 8. Play Jewish-themed
Jeopardy at monthly gathering of the Jewish
Cultural Society. Evening will include songs,
Shabbat candlelighting, wine, challah and
dinner. At Jewish Community Center of
Ann Arbor, 2935 Birch Hollow Drive. Dinner
charge: $10, or $25 for a family of four. RSVP:
www.jewishculturalsociety.org/observances/
shabbat.
SUNDAY, JAN. 10
BAGELS & BASICS
10:30 am-noon, Jan. 10. "The Music of Our
People."Gail Greenberg will give an overview
of history and types of Jewish music. At
Temple Kol Ami in West Bloomfield. Free, but
RSVP by Jan. 4; igilbert@tkolami.org or 248-
661-0040.
Metro Detroiters Drs. Conrad and Lynda Giles flank Marvin and Helaine Lender of
Connecticut.
leading the way:'
Maryland-based Rabbi Sid Schwarz,
whose father escaped Germany on the
last successful voyage of the ship St.
Louis in 1938, recited Chanukah bless-
ings. Kindertransport participant Manny
Lindenbaum, with his granddaughter
Lauren, lit candles on a menorah created
by Holocaust survivor Erwin Thieberger.
The three Jewish Supreme Court Justices,
Stephen Breyer, Elana Kagan and Ruth
Bader Ginsburg, were also there.
The following morning, a Jewish com-
munity policy briefing in the Eisenhower
Executive Office Building covered such
topics as the Iran nuclear deal implemen-
tation, U.S.-Israel relations and refugee
policy in light of the San Bernardino,
Calif, terror attack, reported Gale.
Congregation Shaarey Zedek Rabbi
Aaron Starr said he felt "truly blessed to
be among those celebrating Chanukah
in the White House and found davening
Maariv in its Red Room (I was the 10th
man) especially powerful; indeed, I prayed
for peace in a house from which peace
has been made and will, God willing, be
made again:' *
Guests With Detroit
Connections
o
Adam Finkel, Rabbi Jason Miller and Rabbi Aaron Starr
18 December 24 2015
Jerry and Carolyn Acker; Rabbi Jeffrey
Falick and husband, Arthur Liebhaber;
Adam Finkel; Allan Gale, son, Eric
Kahn Gale, and Eric's fiancee, Jade
Ingardona; Drs. Conrad and Lynda
Giles; Mary Ellen and Harold Gurewitz;
Rabbi Jason and Elissa Miller; Marci
Hermelin Orley and Matthew Orley;
Rabbi Aaron Starr; Julie Zuckerman
Tepperman and Noah Tepperman, and
U.S. Rep. Sander Levin (D-12th District);
Eric Feldman, Office of U.S. Sen. Gary
Peters (D-Michigan) and his wife, Dena;
and Matt Nosanchuk, Office of Public
Engagement, the White House.
TAKE BETTER PHOTOS
11:30 am, Jan. 10. Brunch followed by
"Behind the Lens" presentation with fine
art photographer Monte Nagler. Hosted
by Eleanor Roosevelt Hadassah Group. At
Hadassah House, 5030 Orchard Lake Road,
West Bloomfield. Check ($18), payable to
Hadassah, goes to Hadassah/Nagler at above
address. RSVP by Jan. 4: Marcia, mbednarsh@
yahoo.com or 248-661-2145.
IDF FILM AT AKIVA
7 pm, Jan. 10. Akiva Hebrew Day School and
StandWithUs co-sponsor fundraiser show-
ing of Beneath the Helmet: From High School
to the Home Front. Documentary film (2014)
explores the experiences of five Israeli high
school graduates recruited to serve in the
army paratrooper brigade. At Akiva, 21100 W.
12 Mile in Southfield. $10, or $18 and $36 for
priority seating with advance RSVP. All guests
will receive "Our soldiers. Our heart." bracelets.
Information: Avi, avi.greenbaum@akiva.org ..
Esther Allweiss Ingber / Contributing Writer
Send items to calendar@thejewishnews.com .
HOW TO SEND IN
LISTINGS:
Send listings by noon Tuesday,
nine days prior to publication.
E-mail listings and questions to
calendar@thejewishnews.com .
For telephone inquiries, call
David Sachs at (248) 351-5140.