By MARTA HEPLER DRAHOS

TRAVERSE CITY -- Curtis Kuttnauer's new year starts on Sept. 29 this year.

Only instead of wishing friends and family a "Happy New Year," he'll greet them with "L'Shanah Tovah Tikatevu," or "May you be inscribed (in the Book of Life) for a good year."

Instead of fireworks and parties, he'll celebrate with a meal that includes round challah and apples dipped in honey. And instead of making resolutions, he'll reflect on his past deeds and symbolically cast away his sins.

BY GRETCHEN MURRAY
Local columnist

When a famous personality like Madonna brings her superstar glitz and glamour to Traverse City, she's sure to create a conversation -- at least that's what members of Congregation Ahavat Shalom are relying on.

BY GRETCHEN MURRAY

Passover is celebrated at home

The heirloom table linens and fine dinnerware that are integral parts of the Passover celebration are cherished and passed down through generations.

More importantly, Jewish families love to pass down the story behind the holiday.

The eight-day observance that begins at sundown today and continues through the evening of April 27 traditionally starts with a Seder, a special meal symbolizing the passage of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt as told in Exodus.

By CYMBRE FOSTER
Special to the Record-Eagle

When it comes to preparing a traditional Hanukkah meal, It's all about the oil.

During the eight-day winter holiday, Jews commemorate the miracle of the oil by eating fried foods such as potato pancakes known as latkes, or sufganiyots, which are essentially deep-fried doughnuts.

Gift-giving is relatively recent tradition

By BRIAN McGILLIVARY
Record-Eagle staff writer

      TRAVERSE CITY - The Hanukkah celebration is under way and increasingly is part of the holiday tradition for several area families.
      "I love the story of Hanukkah, and I love talking about it with my kids' school groups," said Tobi Karch of Traverse City. "We've always met with a real great reception from the kids."

By Andrew Muchin.

Like Noah with his ark, Oran Hesterman and Linda Kurtz have accomplished some of their most significant work thanks to a boat.

They dock their 27-foot Pearson sailboat at Suttons Bay, Mich., a resort town 250 miles northwest of their Ann Arbor home. "We basically live aboard all summer," Kurtz said.

By PATRICK SULLIVAN
Record-Eagle staff writer

      TRAVERSE CITY - Members of Congregation Ahavat Shalom lugged books, computer equipment and office furniture to a new office Monday, driving back and forth from their old location about eight blocks away.
      One delivery, that of the congregation's Torah scroll, was made by hand, however.

By STACEY SMITH
Record-Eagle staff writer