MARCH 31 • 2022 | 21

Township, who has autism,
had three artworks on display.
One was a ceramic clam with
a pearl inside and the others
were multimedia paintings.
“I just love animals, and
I’m very passionate,
” Somberg
said. One animal painting had
a three-dimensional look with
turtles, fishes and birds sus-
pended. His fascination with
nature and geometric shapes
combines many processes and
techniques.
Dylan’s mom, Jeannine
Somberg, praised Friendship

Circle and the Soul Studio.
“This is a special place, because
my son is safe there, and his
self-esteem soared,
” she said.
“I know they don’t see a dis-
ability; they see an ability,
” she
added.
Proud supporters Estelle and
Philip Elkus, of Bloomfield
Hills and Boca Raton, were
part of the host committee
and have been involved with
Friendship Circle since the
beginning. They introduced
others to the programs.
“My friends, Estelle and

Philip Elkus, took me on a tour
of Friendship Circle, and I was
amazed,
” said Rhoda Tobin, of
Orchard Lake.
Friendship
Circle is a family
affair for Gail
Danto and her
husband, Art
Roffey, of Palm
Beach Gardens.
“We were
involved with the
Soul Studio when it was just an
idea,
” Danto said. Her broth-
er and sister-in-law, Jim and
Sandy Danto, were also on the
host committee.
Dana and Rick Loewenstein,
of West Bloomfield, came
to support their friend Ron
Hodess, who is chairman of
the board. The Loewensteins
are longtime supporters of
people with disabilities and are
also supportive of the inclu-
sive environment of the Soul
Studio. Rick Loewenstein is the
former CEO of JARC.
With the artists, the art-
work and all the supportive
friends, it’s evident the magic
of the Soul Studio came to the
Sunshine State. Bassie Shemtov
summed up the vision:
“Miracles do happen.
”

Carla Schwartz is the former editor
of Style magazine, a former Jewish
News columnist, community rela-
tions consultant and blogger. Visit
her blog at motownsavvy.com.

Rabbi Levi
and Bassie
Shemtov

Estelle and Phillip Elkus
Gail Danto and Art Roffey
Rick and Dana Lowenstein

Rhoda
Tobin

JFamily’s
Passover Fun
Matzah Factory
is back in person
April 10.

It’s back! The commu-
nity-wide Mega Matzah
Factory event from the JCC’s
JFamily will be outdoors and
in-person after two years of
Passover pivoting because of
the pandemic.
This family celebration is
free and open to all families
in the Metro Detroit Jewish
community — bring your
kids, parents, grandparents
and friends! The fun takes
place from 2-5 p.m. Sunday,
April 10, at the JCC in West
Bloomfield.
The holiday celebration
will be full of hands-on expe-
riences, including matzah
making and baking; candy
matzah pizza decorating with
Party Sistas; splatter paint box
art with Brooke Leiberman;
petting farm with Chamberlin
Pony Rides; spring senso-
ry stations with JCC’s Pitt
Child Development Center;
inflatable bounce slide and
outdoor games with JCC Day
Camps; photomosaic art with
JCC’s Janice Charach Gallery;
LEGO building and robot-
ics with Snapology of Troy;
Passover play with Rabbi
Shneur Silberberg of Bais
Chabad and more.
The JCC building will be
open, and indoor offerings
will include kosher pizza
available for purchase at the
JCC’s new Porch Café, Quiet
Zone in Shalom Street seating
areas and restrooms.
If you plan to come, regis-
ter in advance as crowd size
is limited because of COVID
protocols and safety stan-
dards.
Register at https://jlive.app/
events/1820/tickets.

JN STAFF