the potential of the Detroit real estate
adult population is the goal of Pro-
market drew Andy back to the area.
Detroit, a program being started out of
"It's pretty exciting what's going on in
the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
the Detroit market itself and in the
Detroit. Margo Lazar, coordinator of
surrounding areas," he said. "I thought
the program's community connection,
it was the best
business move
for me."
Andy moved
back — and into
the Oak Park
home of child-
hood friend Ryan
Seyburn, who
had returned to
the area the year
before, after liv-
ing away for
about eight years.
And having kept
in touch with
many of their old
high school bud-
dies, the "same
core group we've
had forever" was
Adrienne Lenhoff.: "It was really weird coming back.
together again
Andy said.
"It's amazing to hang out with
explained that she hopes to get young
them, and it's great to see my family all
adults involved in the Jewish commu-
the time. The times here have definite-
nity by meeting their needs, whether
ly outweighed the amount of times I've
they be social, recreational or religious.
missed in Chicago."
"We basically want to make this
Attracting and retaining a young
community more user friendly," she
said. Among Pro-
Detroit's plans: a
resource guide, a
roommate matching
service, neighbor-
hood tours and a
welcoming commit-
tee for newcomers.
The need for the
program came out of
the realization that
the Detroit Jewish
community was los-
ing many young
leaders to other cities
after college, Margo
explained. Pro-
Detroit also has an
internship compo-
nent, with the hope

,

David Robins: "IM
establishing roots in
this community"

that a job tie in the area will be an
wants to hear: her father had been
attraction to stay here.
diagnosed with cancer. She decided to
Margo, 25, understands the need
return to help out — and never left.
for such a program — she and her hus-
At the time, Adrienne, 30, was an
band, Michael, recently relocated to
11-year veteran of the music industry,
the Ann Arbor area and are still trying
having gotten involved in the business
to find their niche. Although both
end during her freshman year at
completed their undergraduate studies
Boston University. Her work continued
at the University of Michigan, "it's dif-
as she pursued a master's degree at
ferent [living] there not being a stu-
NYU, jetting across the world and
dent," Margo said.
keeping apartments in both New York
East Lansing-native David Robins
and San Francisco.
was just becoming acclimated to his
But as her father recovered, Adri-
new home in
enne said she
Buffalo, N.Y.,
began seeing
and starting to
how much she
think it was a
had missed cer-
"
pretty cool
tain friends and
place," when
family and how
he received a
burned out she
job offer in
was in her
Michigan. The
career. After a
fact that he wa
few months of
seriously datin g
paying rent on
a girl in the
two apartments
Detroit area
she never saw,
expedited his
Adrienne decid-
decision to
ed to pack up
leave graduate
and move back
schoo l at the
for good.
State Universi-
"It was really
ty of New York
weird coming
and high-tail it
back," said
back to the
Adrienne, who
Midwest.
had grown very
Settling in
accustomed to
Southfield,
the big-city life.
David, 27, a
"It's very differ-
corporate
ent here.
recruiter at
Adrienne kept
MSX Interna-
in touch with
tional, got in
very few people,
Andy Tobias: "It's great to see my family all
touch with old
never imagining
the time."
friends, which
"in a million
he called "a
years" that she
mixed bag."
would live Michigan again. She found
"You want to make new friends, but
herself worlds apart from those who
you value your old ones too," he said.
had never left, but was able to re-estab
He did meet new friends, which was
lish some friendships with those who
"difficult but worth the effort,"
got in touch with her when they foun d
through work, Jewish social activities
out she was back.
and the Internet.
"It was great that they sought me
That was three years ago. According
out. That helped make the adjustmen t
to David, the job is now going "too
of being back a lot of easier," said Adri
well," he's close to finishing his master's
enne, who bought a house last spring
at Central Michigan University, and he
in West Bloomfield and is vice presi-
is still dating someone seriously — just
dent of marketing for Body Shop Sup-
not the same someone.
plies and Equipment in Canton.
"I'm establishing roots in this com-
She has also made many new
munity, there's no question about it,"
friends. "I have to say that I've been
he said. "I guess the reasons for me to
meeting a lot of very interesting, very
stay are pretty much the same reasons I
exciting people,"‘Adrienne said. "It's
came."
been nice to have found a kind of
Not so for Adrienne Lenhoff, who
core group of people who have simi-
was living in New York when her
lar experiences to mine."
mother phoned with news no one

❑

12/4
1998

Detroit Jewish News

103