IT° Life. THE May the coming year be filled with health, happiness and prosperity for all our family and friends. Dr. Jeffrey and Laurie Fischgrund Michelle, Marcy, Mark Andrew and Melanie N On A Fast Track New YAD director striving to draw young adults together. Jennifer Levine at work in the Max M. Fisher Federation Building in Bloomfield Township. Robin Schwartz Special to the Jewish News : ennifer Levine, 32, of Pleasant Ridge says she's afraid of heights — but she's certainly not afraid of a challenge. Levine stepped in as the new director of the Young Adult Division of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit amid a frenzy of activity in July. The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah was intensify- ing and so was Federation's Israel Emergency Fund campaign. It's been non-stop action since she walked in the door. "I just jumped right in — sink or swim," Levine said. "I think sometimes •that's the best way to start a new posi- tion:' Levine took over for the previous YAD director, Jonathan Goldstein of Huntington Woods. He left the position after five years for a job with an invest- ment-advising firm in Southfield. Levine is no stranger to the non- profit world. For 10 years, she served as executive director of the Bingham Farms-based Autistic Children's Treatment Network. The group raises money for an early intervention center, a clinic, a home-based program and a camp for autistic children. Levine helped build the organization from the ground up, but she was ready for a career change when she learned about the opening with Federation. "I feel to work in the non-profit world you have to work for a cause you're pas- sionate about;' Levine said. "This is defi- nitely something I'm passionate about." Levine is within the exact target age- range of people YAD is . trying to reach. She grew up in Brighton and gradu- ated with a degree in psychology from Western Michigan University. She's one of the young Jewish professionals who stayed in Metro Detroit and is making a life here. This past year, she married Matthew Levine, an attorney who grew up in Livonia. The couple belong to Beth j May the coming year be filled with health and happiness for all our family and friends. L'Shanah Tovah! May the coming year be filled with health and happiness for all our family and friends. L'Shanah Tovah! — Leo & Suzanne Knight — We wish our family & friends a very healthy, happy and sweet New Year. Sheryl & Patrick O'Keefe Evan & Cydney Seigerman 94 September 21 - 2006 Shalom Synagogue in Oak Park but they never really participated in YAD pro- grams until now "I want to make YAD more well known to the entire community at large," Levine said. "I'm a 30-something, I live in the area, we have several Jewish friends — but I always thought YAD was just for singles:' Now she's learning about the many programs the organization offers for couples and young parents. Levine recently attended her first couples corn- mittee meeting. She is also immersed in the planning for an Art Seen event in October at the Detroit Institute of Arts. The annual gathering, sponsored by YAD and the DINs Founders Junior Council, is popular with couples. Levine is well aware of the need to attract and keep Jewish young people in the area — something she hopes to focus on as she settles into her new position. "I think it's a huge concern and it's definitely something I want to work on with the leadership here Levine said. "We have friends who've left the area and have gone to New York or Seattle. • We need to find a way to keep them here." That challenge is one of the many reasons Levine is excited about her new job. She's also a fervent Israel supporter. She and her husband have family mem- bers there. One of her first goals, though, is simply to meet as many people as possible. That should be no problem with the seemingly endless string of meetings and events on her calendar. "I'm meeting a lot of people. I've never done so many coffee and break- fast meetings in my she said. "Everyone has been extremely friendly and very helpful." E Contact Jennifer Levine at (248) 2031471 or jlevine® jfmd.org . For information on upcoming YAD events, go to .www.jfmd.org/yad.