making a difference
teen event
by Sam Gringlas
by Rachel Margolin and Blake Orman
Endless Possibilities
hope for revitalization
Greenberg AZA members help spruce up Detroit's Downtown Synagogue.
Michael Niger, 17, of Farmington Ms
cleans off tables at the Downtown
Synagoge in Detroit.
that bad," Gutliiian said.
In return, synagogue members
hope BBYO will use the building
for programs and functions, im-
mersing suburban Jewish teens in
Detroit's rich culture and history.
"We want to get kids involved
and allow them to use the syna-
gogue," said Leor Barak, secretary
of the synagogue board. "It's amaz-
ing; it's so helpful. The place needs
to be cleaned so we can improve its
physical appearance."
Greenberg adviser Jay Bassin,
chair of the synagogue's House
Committee, suggested the project.
"I got involved in the Down-
town Synagogue because of my
passion for maintaining all of the
great things that are still in the
city," Bassin said. "After moving to
Midtown Detroit a year ago, I real-
ized how much the city really still
has to offer. Unfortunately, many
people won't give it a chance. I am
absolutely astounded at how my
boys in Greenberg jumped at the
opportunity to help out the Down-
town Synagogue."
The participants also see volun-
teering at the synagogue as a posi-
tive experience.
"It felt really important to me to
volunteer in the Jewish communi-
ty," said Daniel Snyder, a freshman
at Oakland Community College
and a Greenberg alumni. "Because
the Downtown Synagogue is the
only freestanding synagogue left in
Detroit, it made it even more spe-
cial to help."
Bassin said, "I am profoundly
proud of [them] for helping to make
such a huge difference to Detroit's
Jewish community. They are mak-
ing more of a difference than [they]
may ever know."
If you want to volunteer or make
a donation to the Downtown Syna-
gogue, visit www.downtownsyna-
gogue.org or contact Jay Bassin at
248-798-9772.
Or join the Downtown Syna-
gogue for a Chanukah party with
dinner, DJ and dancing at 7:30
p.m. Dec. 19, at
1457 Griswold.
Sam Gringlas, 15, is a
sophomore at North
Farmington High
School.
YEAH, SHE'S IN THE
KITCHEN MAKING
LATKES.
HANNUKAH WITH BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
T2T Sta ff Car toon by Jo sh Lo n ey
n the midst of downtown De-
troit's towering skyscrapers
stands an historic four-story-
building dwarfed among giants.
Colorful stained-glass windows face
the street and two huge red doors
greet visitors. As the last remaining
synagogue in the city of Detroit,
the Isaac Agree Downtown Syna-
gogue needs help in its struggle for
survival; membership is now 70.
On Sunday, Dec. 6, members
of BBYO's Hank Greenberg AZA
volunteered their time to help clean
up the synagogue.
"I feel we got a lot accomplished
and, if we can do this much in one
day, the synagogue will be looking
good in no time," said Eli Guttman,
event coordinator and a North
Farmington High School junior.
The teens tackled the ground
floor first by washing walls, clean-
ing, organizing and moving furni-
ture. Still, the roof leaks and the
third and fourth floors need des-
perate attention. At its current loca-
tion on Griswold Street since 1939,
the building requires much work
and repair.
Despite this, the second floor
sanctuary remains stunning. The
stained glass windows and rich
woodwork serve as a reminder of
all the building was and what it
can become. The chapter hopes
to make volunteering at the syna-
gogue a regular event.
"Even if it's something boring, if
you're doing it with friends, it's not
First-time event to bring Jewish
youth groups together at JCC.
ringing together the many Jewish
youth groups in our community has
been an idea on the table for years.
Now, leaders of these youth groups have
collaborated to create JTXT10, an event to
showcase what each group has to offer.
"There is a need for knowing what else is
out there," said Jared Rothberger, a BBYO
and Teen Connection associate. "Jewish teens
should know they can be a member of Tem-
ple Israel, involved with BBYO and attend an
NCSY Shabbaton."
JTXT10 is two events, both at the Jewish
Community Center in West Bloomfield: Jan.
9 in the evening is for high school students;
Jan. 10 in the afternoon is for middle school
students. Teens will be able to socialize and
dance in JCC's Beverly Pren-
tis Wagner Teen Center, at-
tend a Havdalah service (on
Saturday night) and enjoy en-
tertainment by Pegasus The-
atrical in a club-themed Handleman Hall.
Teens also can learn how to get involved with
these Jewish youth groups. Each group will have
an information table with handouts and youth
group members available to speak to.
UTXT10 is going to be a perfect opportunity
to get other youth groups involved with BBYO
so that our greater community can unite and
work together with other teens in the future,"
said Josh Lowenthal, 18, president of Michigan
Region AZA.
"NFTY is not as predominant as other youth
groups in the area so we are really excited to
get ourselves out there and show people how
inclusive and fun we are," said Emily Zussman,
17, president of Michigan Region NFTY (North
American Federation of Temple Youth).
Local sponsors include ATID: Alliance for
Teens in Detroit (Conservative), BBYO, Fran-
kel Jewish Academy, Jewish Federation of Met-
ropolitan Detroit and its Jewish Experiences
for Families (J.E.F.F.) committee, the Ortho-
dox Union's NCSY, NFTY, Hillel Day School,
Tamarack Camps, Teen Connection, MCUSY
(Motor City United Synagogue Youth), the
Youth Professionals Council and many local
synagogues.
JTXT10 is free for everyone, including ko-
sher refreshments and giveaway prizes. For
more details, contact Jared Rothberger at (248)
432-5685 or jrothberger@
bbyo.org.
Rachel Margolin and Blake
Orman, both 17, are students
at Frankel Jewish Academy in
West Bloomfield.
teen2teen December 17 • 2009 TT3