The Jewish Federation's pre-

Thanksgiving gala attracted hundreds of

young adults for a night of dancing,

schmoozing and renewing

old acquaintances.

Ruth Littmann Staff Writer

C

Glenn Triest Photography

Schmoozing: Judy Goldman, Teri Cohodes, Marla Goren, Harry
Colburn and Jeri Gallant socialize the night away. "This is the one
party where everyone comes to see friends," said Marla.

Brothers:
Jeffrey and Steve
Mendelson attend
the gala as
"comrades. It's
always nice to
share a festive
event with my
brother," said Jeff.

H

old the Turkey!
Before Thanksgiving festivities
got under way two weeks ago, more
than 450 Jewish young adults
showed up for the annual pre-feast
gala at the Birmingham Communi-
ty House.
The Young Adult Division of the
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit has
sponsored this purely social gathering for four
years. One of the event's main purposes is to re-
unite friends who have returned home for the hol-
iday.
"The popularity of the dance has been build-
ing up over the past few years," said Elizabeth
Kanter Groskind, president of the Young Adult
Division (YAD). "It's a great reunion place. On the
night before Thanksgiving, everyone knows where
to go — the YAD party."
The ballroom of the community house was
packed with a 20-something, 30-something crowd,
decked out in everything from business suits and
lacy blouses to cool Girbaud jeans and oversized
sports jackets.
Stage lights bathed the band, Intrigue, in neon
pink and orange. The ballroom reverberated with
a funky repertoire of pop, blues and oldies. The at-
mosphere was friendly and casual. Person after
person denied that the event was merely a kosher
meat market.
"I want to meet my neighbors in the Jewish com-
munity," said David Elias, 26. "These days, with
young people trying to advance in their careers,

it's not like high school and college where every-
one's together."
Mr. Elias works in Detroit. Though he teaches
aerobics at the Jewish Community Center, he says
his daily contact with other Jewish young adults
is limited.
"There can never be enough programs like this,"
he said.
Greg Davis agrees. This young adult drove from
Toledo for the pre-Thanksgiving dance.
"Detroit's young adult community events are
tremendous," he said. "They make me feel more
socially involved. I can meet friends, girls and
guys."

"There can never
be enough
programs like this."

David Elias

One of the younger YAD leaders, Dawn Faxon,
21, just graduated from the University of Michi-
gan. After returning home and embarking upon
her career as a financial planner, Ms. Faxon be-
gan scouting out social venues.
"I was searching for ways to meet Jewish peo-
ple who were out in the workforce," she said. "Now
I want to help my friends realize that there's some-
thing out here for them." ❑