BBYO advisers honored were, front, Eva
Soltan and Debbie Ornstein. Second
row, Jill Rosenfeld and Robyn Berlin.
Third row, Sara Weingarden, Heidi Hes
and Carin Rockind. Last row, David
Kelman, Josh Alpert, Jay Bassin, Andy
Gutman and Steve Lotzoff
Heidi Hes, adviser to
Genesis BBG in Oak
Park/Huntington woods, is
honored by BBYO board
members Steve Rotenberg
and Ilene Lubin.
Iledicadon
JENNIFER LOVY
Special to the Jewish News
T
he hours can be long and
there are no paychecks. Yet,
16 advisers to chapters in the
Michigan region of B'nai
B'rith Youth Organization (BBYO)
eagerly volunteer their time mentoring
large groups of spirited teenagers.
"Our advisers are the key to BBYO
operating successfully," said Tara
Kaufman, assistant director of the
Michigan Region BBYO program.
"They are the ones to help the kids
develop their leadership skills and guide
them. The advisers also serve as a role
model for some of these kids."
On March 26, BB;YOers participated
in an Adviser Recognition Night,
acknowledging the dedication and devo-
tion of their adult mentors.
Among the honored BBG chapter
advisers were: Carin Rockind, Achayot;
Eva Soltan, Ahavah; Heidi Hes, Genesis;
Jill Rosenfeld, Koach; Marni Katz,
Ruach; Robyn Berlin, Savage; Sarah
Weingarden, Shoshanna; Debbie
Ornstein, Zahav; and Danielle Spinner,
Yachad.
AZA advisers honored were: Jay
Bassin, Greenberg; Jeremy Berger, Herzl;
Steve Lotzoff, Jolson; Josh Alpert,
Kishon; David Kelman, Kitzoni; Andy
Gutman, Shapiro; Rachel Brown,
-
Wallenberg; and Heidi Hes.
Two and a half years ago, a job
brought Heidi Hes to Detroit from
Cleveland. She joined the staff of the
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit. She also left behind her job as
director of BBYO in the Ohio Northern
Region. Once she was settled in her new
Federation position as a senior staff asso-
ciate in the women's department and her
new life in Michigan, she realized she
truly missed the youthful energy and
enthusiasm of the teens she used to
come in contact with on a daily basis.
Hes, 34, filled that void by becoming
a BBYO chapter adviser.
Advising a chapter of 19 young high
school women requires a significant time
commitment, but it's a responsibility
that Hes does not mind. She sees the
girls in her chapter frequently, attending
all chapter meetings and events. They
also have her phone number and call
often.
"BBYO is a youth-led organization,"
Hes said. "I'm there to help teach the
teens how to be leaders and how to suc-
ceed in life by guiding them through sit-
uations. If I see them heading in the
wrong direction, I'm there to steer them
in the opposite direction."
Hess said the most rewarding aspect of
being a chapter adviser is watching the
girls succeed and use the knowledge they
acquired from their BBYO experiences.
BBYO advisers volunteerfor the love of kids.
When asked to discuss Hes, Genesis
Chapter President Renee Stephenson
exclaimed, "Oh, she's wonderful."
Stephenson, a junior at Berkley High
School, said before Hes came aboard,
the group was not functioning as well as
it could have been.
"She's helped with policy and she
helps keep us on track. I feel like I can
really go to her when I need to talk to
someone about my frustrations with the
chapter. She is just a really great help
and we're so lucky to have her," said
Stephenson.
No Retirement
After eight years, Andy Gutman tried to
retire from his volunteer position as a
chapter adviser with Aleph Zadik Aleph.
That was two years ago and Gutman,
who never left, now has no plans of giv-
ing it up.
"I was advising a chapter and a guy
from my first group of kids was going to
take over my adviser's role," explained
Gutman. "However, BBYO was short
advisers and they asked if I could take
over another chapter. I agreed to do it
temporarily and during that time I real-
ized that I just wasn't ready to give it
up.
Gutman, an executive vice president
with the Farbman Group real estate
company, is the longest serving adviser
of those honored last month.
The Sylvan Lake resident said volun-
teering with BBYO was well worth the
time and energy because it allows him to
make a difference in the lives of young
people. The flip side is there are times
when the guys will test the limits of
what they are supposed to be doing.
Members of Gutman's chapter, real-
ly like and respect him, according to
Shapiro President Eric Hoffman, a
sophomore at Walled Lake Western
High School. "Andy gives up so
much time for the chapter and he is
so approachable, anyone can talk to
him. He is just one of the greatest
guys."
Gutman, who was a member of AZA
in high school, enjoys working with
teens and sees it as an excellent opportu-
nity to give back to the community in a
rewarding way.
"One of the greatest things about
BBYO is that kids who may have a
tough time fitting in are nurtured in
that BBYO brings out their people
skills. So, for example, shy kids
become more vocal and outgoing. I've
see it happen hundreds of times," said
Gutman. ❑
To volunteer with BBYO, call the
office, (248) 788-0700.
, •
4/19
2002
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