Editor's Letter

Imaginative Young Eyes

Behind The Numbers
n a bold and determined bid to move Detroit Jewry
We already are the oldest Jewish community, age-wise, outside
forward, the Jewish News engaged 14 leadership-savvy
south Florida. Long before Federation's population study, our
young adults in a roundtable discussion on the rudi-
community and its leadership knew it was facing a demo-
ments of a vision for the ideal local Jewish community. I was
graphic challenge: If we couldn't figure out how to make
ecstatic to be an observer, knowing full well the ultimate suc-
Detroit and the region more appealing, we would continue to
cess of the evening get-together lies in who steps up to help
lose our younger generations, thus sapping our community of
lead the charge.
energy, ideas, talent and, dramatically, philanthropy. Notably, a
For three hours, the participants,
1988 JN Scarborough study showed that the top two concerns
largely between the ages of 25-40,
among
our readers were caring for an aging population and
dreamed without bounds, imagin-
helping
our children connect to the Jewish community.
ing the community through multiple
The
2005
demographic survey produced data that heart-
prisms, emphasizing the best possibili-
ened
us,
but
also alarmed us. We were heartened in that we
ties of Jewish expression and the rich-
have
a
relatively
cohesive, generous and affiliated Jewish com-
est opportunities for inspired feelings.
munity.
What
alarmed
us were a mushrooming population of
The energy in the room was elec-
seniors
and
a
dearth
of
20- and 30-somethings.
tric. The team talked about drafting
The
young
leaders
we
do have clearly see top-down and
a declaration for change and seeking
Robert Sklar
bottom-up
opportunities
to adjust Jewish community pri-
philanthropic support. It talked about
Editor
orities
to
strengthen
Jewish
life here and alter the narrative
inviting Federation support, but not
about
living,
working
and
engaging
culturally, communally
necessarily its approval. It talked about
and
recreationally
in
the
metro
area
and Southeastern
employment opportunities, housing options, business mentor-
Michigan.
ing and increased Jewish-education tuition assistance. It talked
They seek to have their ideas and needs heard and acted
about promoting, big time, our Jewish and general quality of
upon
by our community's elders and philanthropists while
life — and drawing up a blueprint and timeline for action.
also
becoming
involved and energized in forward-looking,
The impetus for the April 13 dinner meeting in Bingham
roll-up-your-sleeves
efforts.
Farms was the JN's new community-driven division tailored
especially for keeping and attracting young
A Community Catalyst
professionals, the Southeastern Michigan
THEASTERN
SOU
Since
its founding as an independent
Jewish Alliance. SEMJA is the brainchild of JN
publication
in 1942, the IN has played an
Publisher Arthur Horwitz, who conceived and
active
part
in
educating, challenging and
hosted the roundtable, one of this community's
leading
the
community
on an array of
more daring attempts at advancing the notion
issues:
the
creation
of
Israel,
Soviet emi-
that we really can do something about revers-
gration,
Jewish
education
and
the shifting
SEMJA's Messenger
ing the tide of out-migration among 20- and
nature
of
senior
services.
Today, on pages 26-28, we
30-somethings.
In recent years, JN news coverage and
usher in a three-page format
Despite shrinking from the 72,000 residents
editorial
comment, while not discounting
that
broadens
and
enriches
identified in Federation's 2005 population
the
sweep
of needs in our community and
the
content
and
the
mission
survey and being hamstrung by Michigan's
overseas,
have
focused extensively on the
of
the
Southeastern
Michigan
prolonged economic downturn, Jewish Detroit
obstacles
we
face
in preserving our Jewish
Jewish
Alliance.
This
new
is still a national model in the realms of
future
in
Metro
Detroit
and Southeastern
format
highlights
the
singles
Federation oversight, learning Jewishly, syna-
Michigan.
We've
served
up a range of ideas
scene;
business
and
network-
gogue affiliation, building a service network
and
initiatives
—
for
example,
SEMJA
ing;
and
family
and
parenting.
— and overall quality of Jewish life.
on our own and Teen2Teen and Jewish@
The three-pager will rotate
edu in collaboration with Federation. Our
from week to week with a one-
Enhancing Our Base
intent: to punctuate the vibrancy of Jewish
page
SEMJA
report.
"It is clear that we have in our Jewish com-
life here in hopes of nudging native young
munity many knowledgeable, passionate and
professionals to stay or come back or
dedicated young leaders who are committed
enticing
young
professionals
elsewhere to relocate here.
to making Detroit and Southeastern Michigan the best Jewish
Working
collectively
with
the community in refining prom-
community of its size in America:' Horwitz wrote in a posi-
ising
pursuits
is
a
key
extension
of our advocacy dynamic and
tion paper prior to the roundtable.
history
of
grassroots
leadership
and activism.
JN's
the
"They are respectful of the traditions and institutions that have
Beyond
documenting
the
innovative
and
strategic thinking
made the Detroit Jewish community so special and also recognize
that
percolated
from
the
roundtable,
Horwitz
hopes the IN
that additional avenues and models for engagement and commu-
continues
to
be
a
pipeline
for
the
handpicked
team's
wisdom.
nity building need to be explored, embraced and supported."
These
unrestrained
voices
will
be
essential
to
redefining,
The hard reality is that existing avenues alone have not
restructuring and recalibrating our Jewish and general com-
stemmed the departure of our young people for jobs and
munities — the very communities these young idea genera-
nightlife in urban hotspots like Boston, Washington, New York,
tors already are, or soon will be, leading.
Atlanta, Seattle and Los Angeles. Federation is aiming to cre-
Meanwhile, we're looking for impassioned stakeholders to
ate a culture and lifestyle for 20-somethings through its new
take
the roundtable to the next level by distilling the discus-
CommunityNEXT division. SEMJA, bubbling up outside the
sion
and advancing a plan. Cl
organized core and targeting business relationships, would be a
sources
e
great partner for Federation, which, through its vast r
Related roundtable coverage: page 11
and contacts, could leverage the power of cooperation.

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April 29 - 2010 5

