Young filmmaker Oren Goldenberg of Detroit poses with his aunt Dr. Carol
Oren displays his award with Sharon Lipton
Jewish Community Relations Council's
Kent of Bloomfield Hills and his parents, Beverly and Michael Goldenberg of
of Waterford, chair of the Young Activist of
outgoing and incoming presidents at the
Huntington Woods.
the Year Committee.
event are Todd Mendel and Richard Nodel.
African Americans. Goldenberg's many
pursuits include working with school
children, fixing bicycles for youngsters in
need and helping revitalize the Isaac Agree
Downtown Synagogue, the only traditional
Conservative synagogue within the city's
limits. The award, a colorful tzedakah
box with a plaque, was presented June 16
during the organization's 2009 annual
meeting at the Max M. Fisher Federation
Building in Bloomfield Township. The
room was packed with dozens of friends,
family members and Oren Goldenberg
supporters.
"I have accepted this award with appre-
hension," Goldenberg told the crowd. "I do
not consider myself an activist ... I only
believe that I am an activist, as much as
my life struggles to be one of action. One
where each of my actions supports the
way of life I wish to take. And my way of
life is one believing in tikkun olam — but
as I would define it, the healing of our
world."
Finding His Roots
Oren's parents, Beverly Kent Goldenberg
and Michael Goldenberg, raised him and
his older brother, Etai, in Huntington
Woods. The would-be filmmaker attend-
ed Hillel Day School and Berkley High
School, where he had his first exposure to
community-service projects. After gradu-
ating from U-M, Oren trained his camera
lens and his focus on the city of Detroit.
He moved to Second Street, where he can
often be seen riding his bicycle for trans-
portation.
"In Detroit, I feel an affinity to my
idealized and nostalgic perception of the
early Zionists in Israel," he explained.
"And I mean this without politicizing
their actions. Merely the people, the
young people, from Europe, from South
America and especially from the United
States, who found it in their minds and
their hearts to return to a place of their
ancestry, to work with their hands, to toil
and struggle to shelter and feed them-
selves."
Goldenberg's own family tree has its
roots in the city. His great-grandpar-
ents who fled Europe lived in many of
Detroit's neighborhoods. His grandpar-
ents were also born, raised, educated and
employed there. His father, a native of
Ramat Gan, Israel, settled in Detroit in
the 1970s.
"How do we return to our past with-
out overlooking that which is present?"
Goldenberg asked. "It is in Detroit where
I feel I can most deeply engage this
conundrum that frequents my mind."
In 2005, after learning about the finan-
cial crisis plaguing Detroit's public schools
and the announced closing of dozens of
school buildings, Oren grabbed his camera
and found the inspiration for his latest
project, a documentary called Our School.
The feature-length film takes viewers
through a day in the life of urban high
school students at several different Detroit
schools. It's set to premiere this spring.
"I started reading in the newspaper
about schools closing in Detroit and I
was curious to see what students had to
say:' Goldenberg said. "Over the course
of a year, we followed students, teachers
and staff members. One school we visited
is closing; one received a large grant to
update its facilities. We also went to an
experimental school with pregnant teens
and young mothers."
Ultimately, he hopes the film will high-
light Detroit's diversity of education and
educational settings.
Back To Shul
Another effort that has captured Oren's
attention is the revitalization of the
Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue on
Griswold. Prior to moving to Detroit,
he had no idea the facility, the last of
a dozen synagogues in the city, even
existed.
"My luck has it that in my life-
immersing interaction with the city of
Detroit and its residents, I found the
Downtown Synagogue," he said. "The
synagogue is the perfect venue to aban-
don thoughts of entitlement, to focus
my life around humility and simplicity,
and to do so in the comfort of my own
community."
Goldenberg now serves on the syna-
gogue board, helping plan religious and
social events, fundraising and raising
awareness. He thanked his fellow board
members, synagogue members and its
supporters for their ongoing work to
establish the building as a vibrant com-
munity center for young Jewish adults.
"As a Jew, I identify with Judaism
so strongly because I believe our tra-
ditions, rituals and teachings bear a
guideline for a responsible and healthy
way of living," Goldenberg explained.
"While the Downtown Synagogue is pri-
marily a space for ritual, we are lifting
its aims to also be a beacon of work and
strengthening for the entire community
of Detroit."
Those who know and love Oren
couldn't be more proud. His mother,
who nominated him for the activist
award in the first place, was moved to
tears, as were many people who came to
hear him speak.
"I love the city of Detroit because it
has allowed me the engagement with
our neighbors that I find so necessary
when examining ourselves," Goldenberg
said. "It is written in the Torah that we
have come from the earth, and thus will
return to it ... We are merely a part of
all that is around us."
Beaming, his father replied, "I think
it's fabulous;' when asked about Oren's
success. He added, "He does things most
people want to do, but they don't."
That was apparent at the conclusion
of Goldenberg's remarks. He proceeded
to break into song, leading the group in
a rendition of the popular Israeli folk
tune "Od Ya Vo Shalom Aleinu" (Peace
Will Come Upon Us) which has become
an anthem for many youth movements.
Goldenberg believes all successful
events must include music. Like any
good film, his personal storyline has a
soundtrack.
"I'm very proud to be his mother,"
said Beverly Kent Goldenberg as she
thanked well wishers at the awards cer-
emony. "I've seen Oren move people and
hopefully he will continue to do that in
the future. It's so exciting to see the evo-
lution of your child." ri
To see the Our School trailer or for
information on Oren's upcoming
documentary, go to the Web site
ourschoolproductions.com .
The Isaac Agree Downtown
Synagogue is located at 1457
Griswold in Detroit. For information
on services, to make a donation or
to get involved with the revitaliza-
tion efforts, call (248) 860-0941 or
(313) 864-7824 or e-mail
downtownsynagogue@gmail.com .
Juiy 9 • 2009
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