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Forging from page 21
Jewish and still be of the world."
The group also heard about new
approaches within the Conservative
movement to reach out to a gen-
eration that participant Jonathan
Dwoskin of Huntington Woods
dubbed "a 'microwave generation! We
want things done quickly."
Why This Program Now?
Engaging this "microwave gen-
eration" is a challenge facing
synagogues across the country. Like
many Conservative synagogues,
Congregation Shaarey Zedek is expe-
riencing an aging congregation and a
decline in new, young members.
Casey Long, an active CSZ member,
urged Rabbi Krakoff to conneawith
potential young leaders. "I think it is
critical that the clergy actively reach
out to the next generation for the
purpose of encouraging and guid-
ing their development as leaders:' he
said. "Most people my age are not
interested in simply paying dues and
listening to sermons. When looking
for a shul, I think most of us desire
activism, creative programs and a
caring community."
Two other influential and longtime
CSZ members, Pamela Applebaum
and Joel Jacob, also approached Rabbi
Krakoff about launching a young
leadership effort and offered to pro-
vide initial funding.
"I felt it was important to create
opportunities for young people to
become more involved and feel vested
in CSZ," said Applebaum.
"Being connected to your syna-
gogue enriches your life and that of
your family in so many ways and
helps to ensure Jewish continuity."
Rabbi Krakoff, who had wanted
to implement a hands-on leader-
ship development program for con-
gregants for some time, seized the
opportunity.
An experiential approach to lead-
ership development like YLI, while
commonplace among Jewish federa-
tions and other Jewish organizations,
is "the first of its kind in synagogues
across the country," according to
Rabbi Krakoff and Wexelberg-Clouser.
Forging Ahead
As participants kibitzed and shared
ideas to strengthen CSZ over a long
airline delay getting home, it was
obvious that Rabbi Krakoff's "bet"
would pay off: The group returning to
Detroit was clearly more connected to
each other, to their Jewish history and
to CSZ, its members now inspired and
22
November 23 • 2006.
„IN
ultimately more poised to make a dif-
ference in the shul.
Indeed, since arriving home, YLI
members have already spearheaded a
"Break the Fast" food drive, bringing
in $15,000 for the Los Angeles-based
MAZON: The Jewish Response to
Hunger and for hunger programs in
Israel. Upcoming plans for the group
include efforts to serve the homeless,
Jewish study and an advocacy trip to
Washington.
As Joel Jacob predicted at the onset
of their journey, the New York trip
would be "two days to experience
and a lifetime to remember!' If things
go as Rabbi Krakoff plans, YLI par-
ticipants will have a lifetime to con-
tribute to CSZ and the greater Jewish
community. ❑
About The Author
Lisa Naftaly Brown, a member
of CSZ's Young Leadership
Initiative, has developed leader-
ship and community action pro-
grams for Jewish federations,
Hadassah, National Council
for Jewish Women and Social
Ventures Partners Bay Area.
A Wexner
Heritage
Foundation
fellow, she
currently
serves on
the board of
Jewish Family
Lisa Naftaly
Service and
Bown
one of the
planning divi-
sions of the Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit and
is a Campaign vice-chair for
JFMD's Women's Department.
Her career was in children's leg-
islation, advocacy and program
implementation/administration,
first with Congress and then in
Los Angeles County.
She moved back to Michigan
from California a year ago to be
with her extended family. She
resides in Franklin with her hus-
band, Howard, and their daugh-
ter, Emily.