Metro
THE COVER
The gavel is passed to Bubba Urdan by former YAD President Gayle Gold.
Young Guardians
Federation's young adults install new president, invest in the future.
Robin Schwartz
Special to the Jewish News
H
e's the guy in the room whose
voice you can hear over every-
one else's, the guy who can quiet
a crowd and make people sit up and take
notice.
Simply put, Brad "Bubba" Urdan, the
newly inducted president of the Young
Adult Division of the Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit, is the kind of guy
who can make anyone listen. And these
days, he has a lot to say.
"Our community needs us now more
than ever," said Urdan as he took the gavel
during his June 21 installation along with
the 2007-2008 YAD board. "The young
adults on this board will all be leaders
in this community, not some day — but,
tonight."
More than 175 people attended the
69th YAD annual meeting at the Guardian
Building in Detroit. Gary Torgow, CEO
of the Sterling Group, which owns the
colorful, Art Deco skyscraper, donated
the space for the event. It's apropos that
Urdan, of West Bloomfield, and the new
board members began their official duties
in a building called "guardian," something
Rabbi Jonathan Berkun of Shaarey Zedek
of Oakland County pointed out during his
invocation.
"Guardians are what you are Rabbi
Berkun told the crowd. "Think about what
it means to be a shomer — to be a young
leader is to be a protector, a defender, one
who guarantees our future and one who
safeguards our traditions."
Taking The Reigns
Urdan, who has gone by the nickname
"Bubba" since grade school, is taking the
reigns at a critical time in the history of
Detroit's Jewish community. The 2005
Detroit Jewish Population Study revealed
an alarming statistic: A mere 2.1 percent
of the local Jewish community is made
up of people aged 25-34. The study found
a majority of young adults move away to
other cities after graduating from college.
Urdan and other community leaders will
make it a priority to reverse
that trend. A Federation-
led migration task force
called "Detroit Works" has
been brainstorming ways
to attract, engage and bring
young Jews back to Metro
Detroit. Their recommenda-
tions are expected in the
next few months.
"I think the focus will
continue to be on the eco-
nomic needs, growing our
community, keeping people
here and keeping the com-
Shari Wagner of Birmingham, Daniel Moss of
munity vibrant;' said outgo- Commerce, YAD President-Elect Jill Menuck of
ing YAD President Jennifer
Birmingham and Bubba Urdan of West Bloomfield
Friedman of Huntington
Woods, a co-chair of the task force. "We
In spite of the statistics, Friedman said
can lament the fact that we're losing peo-
YAD brought in 471 new members last
ple and young adults move away, but the
year. The group, which sponsors numerous
truth of the matter is many of the young
programs for singles, couples and young
adults who are here aren't necessarily
families, has been focusing on outreach
involved. So if we can encourage everyone
and education. They've created new and
who lives here to get involved, we'd be
much better off."
Young Guardians on page 14
July 5 . 2007
13