Metro
NEXT GENERATION
Putting It All Together from page 16
Circle. Basketball leagues just wrapped up, and reg-
istration now is underway for a coed kickball league
slated to begin in June. They anticipate nearly 400
participants will sign up by this summer.
elsewhere back to Detroit; and something called
"HomeScout Assistance which will offer housing
and other services to young adults moving to town.
Wolfe also is doing what he calls "non-sexy stuff"
like surveying local business owners and gathering
other feedback. Norm Pappas of Bloomfield Hills,
who owns Pappas Financial, a Farmington Hills-
based financial services company, is serving as a
mentor helping provide connections in the Jewish
community and business community.
"I can't stress how important this initiative is for
our area;' says Sara Bloomberg, 23, of Farmington
Hills, a participant who's just getting involved. "The
Metro Detroit community needs young adults to stay
here after college. We are the future and if no one
stays, it's very scary what is going to happen to this
community."
Grosfeld echoed those sentiments saying this is a
problem community leaders are well aware of.
"This is not just an issue for our Jewish commu-
nity:' she says. "This is a regional issue and a priority
for our entire state. We see ourselves in partnership
with many Jewish and other community organiza-
tions that share our same objectives and goals."
Setting Up Shop
On the job front, starting May 1, the Southfield-based
real estate/property management company, the
Farbman Group, began donating nearly 4,000 square
feet of free office space for young Jewish entrepre-
neurs and their businesses through CNEXT. Jason
Raznick, 32, of Birmingham, founder of the financial
news website Benzinga.com , is the first tenant to
move into offices in Bingham Farms.
"We're a young and growing company:' Raznick
says. "Our writers produce more than 300 articles a
day, providing Wall Street traders and investors with
high-quality unique investment trading ideas and
daily news. This year, Benzinga.com is one of the
fastest-growing financial news sites attracting about
1 million monthly visitors."
Raznick and his wife, Stacey, were thinking about
moving to Chicago with their 11-month-old daugh-
ter, Riley, to grow the business. But he says CNEXT's
assistance made the decision to stay in Metro Detroit
a no-brainer.
The Measurables
"With the treatment we've received from
Organizers say it's difficult to measure success with
Federation and our desire to be part of Michigan's
this type of program, but they'll know CNEXT is
comeback, our plans to relocate to Chicago were ter-
working as job connections are made, entrepreneur-
minated:' Raznick says.
ial start-ups take shape, and more 20-somethings
"CommunityNEXT has helped us connect with the
begin showing up and becoming engaged in the
talented young individuals we now know exist in our
Jewish community.
community We intend to continue to grow our corn-
Jeff Epstein, 29, of Royal Oak, another CNEXT
pany here. More importantly, we hope to pay it for-
participant who recently launched hireitout.com to
ward with other Jewish entrepreneurs in the future
connect homeowners and contractors, says changing
A third program called Backstage Pass (BSP), a
people's attitudes is another piece of the puzzle.
four-year leadership development and internship
"To the baby boomers: There's a disconnect
program targeting high school juniors, is also being
between the generations here in Michigan. Our gen-
introduced. The application process started a few
eration would really appreciate your guidance and
weeks ago. A group of 18 participants to be selected
mentoring," Epstein says. "To my generation: There
will meet with government officials and have the
has never been a better time to follow your passions
chance to connect with Jewish-run businesses for
and dreams. Don't buy into the negative attitudes
future job opportunities.
that are prevalent in this area. Do something to make
"The BSP program is funded by Federation's
this area better for everyone."
Schulman fund and is a collaborative effort of many
As word spreads about the grassroots
organizations, including BBYO," Kaufman explains.
CommunityNEXT movement, excitement seems to be
"CNEXT is helping with the execution, especially lin-
building.
ing up mentors and internships."
Kaufman is optimistic and hopes the initiative will
be so successful it will become a national model.
Playing To Win
"There's a group of young people who are almost
The ultimate goal in all of this is to fit the pieces
zealots about this community and Detroit. They
together and find the key to securing the future of
really want to make a difference Kaufman says.
Metro Detroit's Jewish community.
"We're committed to this initiative, but I think we
Wolfe's list of "things to do" includes launch-
need to be comfortable with a certain level of failure
ing a CNEXT website, creating an internship and
because we're going to have to take some risks with
job-matching portal to help link Jewish employers
this. There's some debate about whether we'll suc-
with young talent; starting "Pitch for Israel:' a sum-
ceed — but one thing I know is that if we do noth-
mer softball tournament to get young adults living
ing, we're guaranteed to fail."
❑
For more information about CommunityNEXT, contact Jordan Wolfe at (248) 203-1467 or via
e-mail: wolfe@jfmd.org. For more information about ComePlayDetroit or to sign up for a league,
go to: comeplaydetroit.com .
18
May 6
5,
2010
Eyeing Cleveland
M
etro Detroit's Jewish community is not alone
in trying to solve the perplexing dilemma of
how to attract and retain young profession-
als. Our neighbors to the southeast in Cleveland, Ohio,
have spent the last seven years tackling the exact
same issue. In 2003, Strengthening and Growing
Jewish Cleveland was launched as part of the Jewish
Community Federation of Cleveland's centennial initia-
tive (a $137 million campaign).
The project has been professionally staffed since
2005 with a mission "to create
a networked Jewish community
that attracts and retains 21st-
century brainpower, fosters
innovation and entrepreneur-
ship, and promotes the ben-
efits of being part of Jewish
Cleveland."
It's designed to increase the
Jewish population of Greater
Cleveland by retaining young
adults and attracting new fami-
lies to ensure that Cleveland's
Jewish community remains vibrant for generations
to come. Sound familiar? The Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit is looking at what Cleveland is
doing as the CommunityNEXT initiative takes shape.
"We're studying their model very closely," says
Federation CEO Scott Kaufman. "It's doing quite
well; it has become an important part of Cleveland's
Federation, and it's working."
In nearly five years, Strengthening and Growing
Jewish Cleveland has identified 14 ongoing strategies
that focus on three key areas: "welcomeness," net-
working and marketing.
"This much we know: Everyone needs a job and many
people want a date," says Karen Baker, who serves as
the Cleveland organization's director. "We've found that
real connections, those deep and meaningful profes-
sional and social networking connections, are key com-
ponents to strengthening the bonds between individu-
als and their community."
A task force of 40 young professionals helped
develop the group's action plan. Programs include a job
networking center and the creation of "welcome pro-
grams" to assist those moving to Cleveland.
The group's website, www.letmypeopleknow.com ,
includes event photos, a social calendar and informa-
tion on where to move, connect, work, play, eat, cel-
ebrate, nest, learn and volunteer. The section that says
"meet our team" lists a senior associate focusing on
connecting singles and couples, networking and social
media, and another staff member who connects fami-
lies with young children and coordinates a variety of
family-friendly and volunteer programs.
A greeting on the homepage reads, "Hey baby, we're
so glad you're here!"
"My advice for Detroit would be: 'Don't give up!
Showcase your assets and focus on long-term growth,"
Baker says. "Change takes time. Find your advocates,
enthusiasts and champions and work together to make
the single most important investment in your commu-
nity: investing in the future." ❑