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

