14 | MARCH 3 • 2022 

grandkids,” she says. “
And 
so, if there’s something they 
can bring their grandkids to, 
they’re going to be happy to 
participate.”
Plans have been fluctuating 
with COVID-19 guidance, as 
many indoor activities have 
been put on hold. 
“We had great plans to do a 
lot of programs, but we can’t 
really do them because peo-
ple don’t want to be inside,” 
Pappas explains. “So, hope-
fully, that will change as the 
weather gets nicer and we can 
do more things outside. Then 
we will be able to have more 
grandparenting programs with 
our grandkids.” 
For Debbie Landau, a West 
Bloomfield grandmother of 
two, the chance to meet a 
diversity of grandparents is 
part of the draw. “You’re going 
to get grandparents from 
all over, you’re going to get 
grandparents from all kinds of 
denominations of Judaism to 

participate,” she says. “That’s a 
nice thing.”
She’s eager to find out what 
activities JGrand might offer 
her, her husband, Mark, and 
their 2-year-old granddaugh-
ter Emma and 10-month-old 
grandson Nolan. While she’s 
been to kid-focused classes at 
area synagogues as well as area 
farms, zoos and gyms, she says 
she’s looking forward to being 
at a JCC-sponsored program 
that isn’t just for parents and 
their children. 
“I think this is pretty unique 
in that this is a Jewish grand-
parenting group — I think 
that’s fabulous,” she says. 

TIME TOGETHER 
During years of library runs, 
zoo trips, park adventures 
and children’s classes, grand-
parent Patti Phillips says she’s 
often been the only grand-
parent in the room. The West 
Bloomfield grandmother of 
Liam, 8, and Ellery, 2, says 

“I SEE THE PROGRAM AS A WAY 
FOR GRANDPARENTS AND 
GRANDCHILDREN TO CONNECT IN 

PERSON AND ONLINE.”

— JUDY LOEBL

Renee Unger 
with five 
of her nine 
grandchildren

ON THE COVER

continued from page 13

Eitan Willner, 2, with his savta 
(grandmother) Char Gordon at 
a JFamily event last fall.

COURTESY RENEE UNGER
COURTESY JCC

