22 April 18 • 2019 jn Rolling Out The Welcome Mat Host families wanted for Maccabi Games athletes. L isten closely around town this August and you’ ll likely hear the lively chatter of foreign languages and accented English as Metro Detroit welcomes 1,300 teen- agers from around the world and across the country for the JCC Maccabi Games and ArtsFest. Before the first game gets under way, there’ s the challenge to find housing for these young athletes and art- ists. And that’ s giving Shelly Rubenfire a case of the jitters. “We’ re bringing in significantly more participants than we have in previous years … This is a communi- ty-wide event and we need commu- nity-wide support,” said Rubenfire, co-chair of housing for this year’ s games, scheduled for Aug. 4-9. Rubenfire said the games’ organiz- ers still need close to 800 beds. She’ s hopeful all participants will have an assigned home by mid-May. Rubenfire is quick to point out the wonderful experience host families have by welcoming athletes and art- ists into their homes. “There are athletes who have become lifelong friends with host family siblings; elderly hosts take on the role of doting grandparents to the teens … It’ s such a remarkable expe- rience for everyone,” she said. Requirements for host families include taking in a minimum of two athletes or artists and providing them with a separate sleeping area. “They don’ t need their own rooms, but an area where they can have some pri- vacy … and we even provide air mat- tresses if needed,” she said. “All we ask is that [families] provide a home away from home for our guests.” Rubenfire added hosts don’ t need to have children participating in the event. “We have host families who don’ t have children … young couples who open their homes and empty nesters.” At least one parent in the home must be Jewish. There is no cost to be a host fami- ly, but families must attend an orien- tation session before the games begin and go through a background check (at no cost to the family). The schedule for the host families begins Sunday, Aug. 4, when ath- letes and artists arrive. Host families provide dinner and transportation to opening ceremonies that eve- ning, provide breakfast and snacks Monday-Friday, and transport and pick up participants in the mornings and evenings. Families drop off ath- letes and artists at the JCC on Friday, Aug. 9, for departure. Organizers are planning a shuttle for North Woodward communities to transport athletes and artists to the JCC campus. Rubenfire and organizers are encouraging families to host events at home during down time or partici- pate in activities planned at area syn- agogues during Host Family Night. Families interested in playing host can learn more and sign up at https://maccabidetroit2019.com/ be-a-host. On behalf of the organizers, Rubenfire offers a hearty todah, gra- cias, merci … thank you. ■ Shelly Rubenfire jews d in the The Joy Project Tributes to moms everywhere N ever doubt the power of a Mother’ s Day card … espe- cially when you send a trib- ute to Mom through the Joy Project in care of Jewish Family Service of Metro Detroit (JFS). Celebrating its 10th year at JFS, the Joy Project has raised more than $300,000 for services and programs to support the needs of women, girls and families. “The Joy Project was born because I was not only compelled to honor my mother, Joy Nachman, but also moved to help brighten Mother’ s Day for mothers in our commu- nity who may not have anyone to acknowledge or appreciate them,” said founder Elanah Hunger. “At the time, it didn’ t occur to me how much delight this seemingly simple gesture could bring to donors and recipients alike. It’ s a good reminder that no matter what we do to reach out and help, no effort is too little, no gift of love is too small.” WOMEN HELPING WOMEN “It’ s not about me,” says Joy Nachman, a psychologist in prac- tice in Birmingham. “I can’ t stress enough that we’ re in this together — women helping women take care of their families.” Hunger is quick to give credit where it’ s due. “Thinking back on that first year, we would never have gotten the project off the ground had it not been for Amy Haimann and Lindsay Leder at JFS. They imme- diately fell in love with the idea of sending small gifts of appreciation to brighten a Mother’ s Day for women in their client roster who might oth- erwise be forgotten.” When Hunger ran into her friend Marla Tapper Young and described the project, Tapper Young was thrilled with the concept. (Marla’ s middle name also happens to be Joy). She and her family stepped up with the purchase and donation of bracelets from their store. “The Tapper family has been on board as a major sponsor ever since,” Hunger said. SOMETHING SPECIAL FROM KENYA How far-reaching can one simple act of kindness go? Just ask Hunger and Nachman, who recently extended the reach of the Joy Project across the world to the Maasai Mara in Kenya. On their recent visit, they were introduced to the Maa Trust, an organization commit- ted to helping women earn livings through sales of the Maasai women’ s world-famous and extraordinary beadwork. “Maa Beadwork is a communi- ty-based organization run entirely by Maasi women — women now work- ing to take care of their families,” Hunger said. “When we saw their beautiful work, we thought why not connect with them on our project and spread the joy? Why not help them sell their bracelets to support their families in Kenya while taking care of families right here at home? “With that plan now in place, we’ re thrilled that Tapper’ s whole- heartedly has bought into the enter- prise and agreed to collaborate with Maa Beadwork by purchasing their bracelets and donating them as this year’ s special gift to the Joy Project.” Look for an upcoming event when Sidecar in Birmingham hosts Hunger and Tapper Young as guest bartenders for the night and a por- tion of proceeds will go to the Joy Project. Maa bracelets will be avail- able for purchase as well. To spread a little joy of your own this Mother’ s Day, go online at jfsjoyproject.org and purchase a tribute card for your mom, sister or best friend — any special woman in your life. ■ Vivian Henoch is editor of myjewishdetroit.org, where this story first appeared. VIVIAN HENOCH SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS Elanah Hunger and Joy Nachman JOHN HARDWICK