SOUTHEASTER
N
EWISH
ALLIANCE'
A Great Place To Live. A Great Place To Be Jewish.
Remarks to Michigan State University Hillel
Inspiring Future Jewish Leaders Annual Dinner
Arthur Horwitz I Publisher
"I love living in Detroit because
of the rich history here from all
corners, but the history of the
Jewish community in Southeastern
Michigan is especially interwoven
with Detroit's. I feel like I am part
of the next chapter of our unceas-
ing story. One doesn't have to look
any further than the names on many
buildings in my Midtown neighbor-
hood to see the enduring cultural,
educational and philanthropic con-
tributions that our Jewish forebears
have had on this city. With an eye
on the future, there are also plenty
of Jewish individuals that work
hard and contribute to the city and
the region every day. And with a
city like Detroit that has so much
to offer, but also tremendous room
to give, we are able to make an
impact."
— Randall Fogelman
Vice President of Business
Development
Eastern Market Corporation
When I was asked how I would headline my remarks, I reflected on the title of this event ... inspiring future Jewish leaders ...
though we are doing a good a job inspiring them, we're only doing half of the job. We need to inspire them AND give them rea-
son to stay in Michigan or come back.
We here tonight recognize and appreciate the wonderful tradition and rich history of leadership that has come from the
Detroit Jewish community. We witnessed, and continue to witness, a model of inspiring leadership that requires a Jewish com-
munal leader to also be a leader in the general community. Quite simply, our fate as a Detroit Jewish community is intertwined
with the fate of our city, region, state and country.
While there are some notable exceptions, most of our leaders who model this behavior are in their 70s, 80s and even 90s.
That's not to say we don't have exceptional Jewish leaders who are younger. We do! But their energy, efforts and talent have
largely been channeled to leadership roles in Jewish organizations – without strong linkages to the general community, region
and state in which we live.
While Jews from the Detroit area, especially those in their 20s, have often gravitated to other cities outside of Michigan to
build their careers and expand their social circles, the 2005 Detroit Federation demographic study documented an alarming trend
– our 20-somethings were leaving the area in droves and not planning to come back.
And those data points came before the current economic downturn in the country, especially in
Michigan.
So here we are, one of America's great Jewish communities, raising dollars and providing infra-
structure to help send our children to religious schools, summer camps, day schools, on teen trips to
Israel, on Marches of the Living to Poland ... and to help make sure our Jewish students on college
campuses across the state have access to Hillels, like ours at Michigan State University. Then, after
investing years and millions of communal dollars in their Jewish identity and education, we wave
goodbye to them as they head to Chicago, New York, Washington or Los Angeles and tell them: "we
don't blame you ... there's nothing here for you."
In the language of Goldman Sachs and Wall Street, we as donors and parents are being urged to invest
in the future of our children while, at the same time, our community has been betting against, or shorting,
our children actually staying here.
As a Jewish community, we need to take the core message of tonight's gathering – inspiring future
Jewish leaders – and commit to working with them to create an overall economic and social climate to keep
them here, to bring them back AND to attract Jews from other areas who see our overall quality of life, and
Jewish life, as exceptional.
We need to reconnect with our city, region and state and recognize, as some of our wise leaders have, that future
Jewish leaders are needed to lead ALL of us to a more prosperous future, not just the Jewish community.
We need to work harder to convince our Jewish communal leadership that the best way to secure our future as a Detroit area
Jewish community is to invest in a future for our 20-somethings and 30-somethings. Think of it as our Jewish community's
equivalent of a Marshall Plan.
Until we make tough but fundamental structural changes in our overall community priorities – and redirect meaningful
amounts of the still-large dollars at our disposal through Jewish foundations, Jewish philanthropists, the annual Federation cam-
paign and unrestricted endowment funds at the United Jewish Foundation– to offer a brighter future for our 20- and 30-some-
things right here, we'll continue to see many of our best and brightest – many of them from Michigan State University – look for
opportunity elsewhere. The sad part is, there is already opportunity right here.
I'd like to share a comment from Steve Tobocman:
" I have lived in Detroit for the past 13 years. Staying in Michigan has given me career opportunities that I would never have
had living in Chicago, New York or even Washington, D.C. I was able to serve the citizens of Southwest Detroit for three terms
in the state House and to become House Majority Floor Leader. I have started innovative non-profit efforts to revitalize Detroit
and the region. As an urban and creative enthusiast, I am in the most dynamic place in the world to impact change and social
justice."
Here's what Brett Koretzky had to say about relocating to Detroit and Southeastern Michigan:
"I arrived here from St. Louis jobless but extremely optimistic. People were so welcoming, especially within the Jewish corn-
munity. Within a few months, I was offered a job with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. I have also become actively involved
in several community organizations, including the ADL and Federation. The lifestyle in Detroit and Southeastern Michigan is
amazing for young professionals and I couldn't be happier."
Tonight, we are celebrating and honoring past presidents and the promise and potential of our emerging young Jewish leaders.
Let's pledge – together – to continue to create the inspiration for these future Jewish leaders by demonstrating our leadership
... by creatively, thoughtfully and boldly realigning our Jewish community priorities and resources so we can keep our 20- and
30-somethings here, or bring them back, and benefit from their leadership where we need it most ... right here, inside and out-
side the Jewish community of Detroit and Michigan.
Thank you for all you do to support Jewish student life at Michigan State University.
In our mission to redirect the narrative of Southeastern Michigan, we have spearheaded a campaign geared towards young Jewish adults in our region.
If you would like to submit any events, information or would like to be featured in our section, please contact Rachel Lachover at (248) 351-5156 or
rlachover@thejewishnews.com . JOIN US ON FACEBOOK; search our group name "SE MICHIGAN JEWISH ALLIANCE"