I
Opinion
OTHER VIEWS
'Anything Is Possible'
The Power Of Youthful Innovation
The Jewish Federations
of North America held
its annual General
Assembly Nov. 1-5 in
Washington, D.C.
T
he theme of this year's General
Assembly (GA) of the Jewish
Federations of North America
(formerly United Jewish Communities) was
"Anything is Possible' This theme was a
fitting and perhaps optimistic statement
given the impact of the economic down-
turn on federations across North America,
Detroit the most prominent and prolonged.
But from the moment I boarded my ffight
to Washington, D.C., I can say this theme
proved true in one important aspect of the
realm of possibility — the youth of our
community.
On my ffight were more than 25 students
from the University of Michigan Hillel. I
spoke to some of these students on their
way to the GA and they were beaming at the
prospect of participating in this gathering
of one of the largest movements of Jewish
communal life. They were looking toward
being part of the dialogue related
I sat in on two sessions that
to Jewish identity, social justice,
focused on Jewish innovation
caring for the needy and building
and social entrepreneurship.
strong, vibrant communities.
They mostly revolved around
Three days into the conference
young Jewish startups that have
and prior to departing, I spoke
flourished, even through tough
further with a few of these stu-
times, and the funders who made
dents. Their enthusiasm was at
investments in them and encour-
a fever pitch. They were excited
aged their visions. These funders
Michael
about what lay ahead for them
indude foundations, venture
Benghiat
to take a greater role as future
funds and individuals — all
Special to the
Jewish leaders. They were not
"change makers" from within the
Jewish News
deterred by the crisis we have
Jewish community that not only
been faced with although they
inspire and incubate new Jewish
realize there remains enormous challenges
ideas and projects, but also engage those
to overcome. They were enthusiastic at the
innovators in philanthropy to help shape our
prospect of being part of the solution to
Jewish future.
address such challenges.
Collaboration is a part of this model.
Each time I spoke with these young stu-
Our own Jewish community has begun
dents, it was infectious. And I realized that
such conversations. Hebrew Free Loan is
with young leaders like them being bred,
working with Wayne State University's Tech
anything truly is possible.
Town about acting as a clearinghouse to vet
Not to spike this commentary with any
fresh ideas of Jewish startups and explore
negative or pessimistic views, but one thing
potential ways in which to fund them. These
that concerned me as I spoke to these stu-
synergies are necessary for not only the
dents was whether or not they would remain retention of our young community mem-
in Detroit after graduating.
bers, but perhaps also the attraction of those
Then I questioned how do we encourage,
from other communities to develop business
entice and even assist our young people to
opportunities here.
remain in our Detroit Jewish community.
Recent polls by the Detroit Free Press
The answer I think is innovation.
suggest that nearly half of graduating stu-
dents from Michigan's largest universities
(University of Michigan, Michigan State and
Wayne State) feel there is less opportunity
here than in other parts of the country and
are fleeing for jobs elsewhere.
Let's figure out ways in which to stem
the tide of this "brain drain." First, we have
an enormous pool of prospects to pitch the
positives of our great Detroit community,
from our day schools and congregations
to our youth groups and campus Hillels.
Second, there are collaborations that can
be made with numerous organizations that
are addressing this issue as it relates to our
greater Detroit community.
All it takes is a little innovation. After all,
ever since we have been the Jewish people,
haven't we been innovating?
Challenging economic climates can spur
innovation and success. We can grow stron-
ger as a community by channeling the inno-
vation of our young people and help mitigate
their out-migration.
If the youth of our community believe
anything is possible, then we should, too.
And we should believe in them. I 1
Michael D. Benghiat of Southfield is director of
marketing for the Bloomfield Township-based
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.
Energized To Make A Difference
I
was not sure what to expect from
my first Jewish Federations of North
America General Assembly (GA)
other than to spend time with some of my
friends from National Young Leadership
Cabinet (NYLC) converging on Washington,
D.C., along with more than 3,000 other
Jewish leaders from all over North America.
Being with my amazingly committed
and talented young NYLC chevre always
energizes me enough to make any trip
worthwhile.
As a leader in NYLC, I was invited to
participate in a conversation with about
100 young Jewish leaders in North America.
To begin, every single person introduced
themselves and talked briefly about their
organization. Initially, I thought such an
idea was pointless in such a large group.
Half way through the exercise, however, I
had goose bumps. By the end, many were in
tears. Why? Because seeing so many talent-
ed people devoted to making a difference
created a feeling of joy. Hearing just a small
54
November 26 • 2009
fraction of the ideas, energy and
being written by Jewish mem-
optimism at work in the Jewish
bers of the U.S. armed forces. I
community was overwhelming
heard powerful policy state-
and encouraging.
ments on the Middle East from
One night, at 1 a.m., I found
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
myself in a spirited debate on
Netanyahu and White House
the nature of Jewish identity
Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.
and why it matters to be Jewish;
And there were many others.
I realized that the fact of the
All of these experiences had
conversation itself was at least
one thing in common: their
part of the answer. It matters
optimism and enthusiasm about
Robb L ippitt
because we spend so much time
the
future of the Jewish people.
Special to the
thinking about who we are and
Nowhere
at the GA did I find
Jewish News
about our responsibilities to the
depression, fatalism or resigna-
larger community.
tion. Rather, everything high-
I heard the new CEO of Jewish
lighted the power, strength and resilience
Federations of North America, Jerry
of the Jewish community. There was a clear
Silverman, set out his vision for the future
belief that we, as Jews, will overcome any-
of Jewish philanthropy to our small NYLC
thing in order to keep growing and thriv-
group. I heard from a 13-year-old boy who
ing. People enthusiastically confronted chal-
with his own energy created a playground
lenges head-on, proposing creative ideas on
and bomb shelter for the children of Sderot. issues from hunger to genocide.
I heard amazing stories of aliyah from
I wish that each person in our commu-
troubled lands and saw a "combat Torah"
nity could see and feel the optimism, excite-
ment and energy that I felt in Washington.
I know I will do my best to share it. I was
proud to be from Detroit at this GA; people
commented to me often on the extraordi-
nary nature of our community and what it
accomplishes.
During his GA speech, Leonid Nevzlin,
international co-chair of the GA, said: "Jews
make a habit of living impossible lives."
Impossible that we are here at all — but
much more so that we are not simply here,
we are making a difference and changing
the world every single day. I know the chal-
lenges we are facing in our community are
many — but I also know we are continuing
to live impossible lives and will overcome
every one of them. II
Robb Lippitt of Bloomfield Hills is on the
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit
Board of Governors and the National Young
Leadership Cabinet of Jewish Federations of
North America.