Metro
YOUNG ADULT TEAMWORK
Stepping Up from page 17
Left: Julia Weinberg,
Southfield; Noah
Canadian Roots
While you may think of softball as an
all-American pastime, the Pitch for
Israel charity softball tournament
has its roots in Canada. The event
was originally created in 2008 by
Daniel Warner, 27, of Toronto, a man-
aging partner in a Canadian market-
ing firm and a part-time graduate
student in business administration at
York University.
Warner got the idea to start the
tournament during a Birthright Israel
trip (a program providing free trips
to Israel to Jewish young adults). He
says he had the resources to make it
happen, so he did.
"Many people love playing sports,
the outdoors and competing,"
Warner said. "Softball was the game
of choice because regardless of skill
level, you
can have a
good time."
Now in its
third year,
the Toronto
event has
Daniel Warner,
grown expo-
Toronto, Pitch For
nentially and
Israel founder
has raised
hundreds
of thousands of dollars for charity.
It's also quickly become a summer
highlight for many young Jews in the
Toronto area.
"Our first tournament had 12
teams, the second had 20 teams;
this year we're capping it at 32
teams," he said. "We've now split the
Toronto tournament into two consec-
utive Sundays, Aug. 22 and 29."
Detroit is not the only city to
emulate the event. London, Ont., is
also planning its own Pitch for Israel
tournament in October; and Montreal
and Ottawa have expressed interest.
Warner now is thinking outside the
batter's box. He has visions of Pitch
for Israel becoming a philanthropic
project across Canada and the
United States.
"We went from one city, one day
and 12 teams in 2008 to three cities,
four days and 56 teams in 2010,"
he said. "In Toronto alone, we raised
$44,000 the first year and $217,000
last year. I truly enjoy hosting this
fundraiser every year. It's inspiring
that other young Jewish leaders,
like Adam and Benjy, are taking it on
and making a difference in Detroit's
Jewish community."
18
August 12 • 2010
Schusterbauer, Ferndale;
Josh Weinberg,
Southfield; Max Franklin,
New York; Sara Tarpley,
Birmingham; Erin Walker,
Huntington Woods;
Matthew Rossana,
Ferndale
Below left: Brandon
Schram, West Bloomfield,
Spencer Hiller, Franklin
Below right: Adam
Jahnke of Birmingham
(shooting pool) with
Aaron Beresh and
Jordan Wolfe of Royal
Oak
created a Web site and a Facebook fan page.
"Since Benjy and I started this venture,
we've been amazed and extremely thankful
for all the support we've received': Blanck
said. "It's really a testament to how strong
our community is."
Federation CEO Scott Kaufman of
Huntington Woods agrees. He's also
impressed with the way these two young
men have stepped up to the plate.
"On many levels, I think it's a great exam-
ple of the engagement model we're trying to
develop': Kaufman said. "This was a totally
grassroots idea. Adam and Benjy came to
us with an idea and they brought their per-
sonal network with them. This is an activity
the young people want and, hopefully, it will
give participants a stronger connection to
the community"
On July 14, about 75 young adults attend-
ed a warm-up party at Snookers Pool and
Pub in Royal Oak with free pizza and beer
and the chance to sign up and meet the
competition. Amy Friedman Brody, 27, of
Birmingham is one of the co-ed team cap-
tains. The third-year law student at Wayne
State University was eager to participate.
"I think this event is unique because it
will bring together different cross-sections
of young adults in the Jewish community':
Brody explained. "I think its so cool that
there's a similar event taking place in
Toronto. It makes you feel connected to
Jewish people outside of our community."
The Pitch
As the event's name implies, there's also an
Israel connection. Each person who plays
in the tournament is asked to raise at least
$180.A portion of the proceeds will go to
Elem, an Israeli program that helps run-
away, homeless and neglected Israeli and
Arab adolescents in distress. The young
people who will benefit are in Nazareth
in Federation's Partnership 2000 region in
the Central Galilee. Elem's website says the
group was founded in 1981, operates in 30
towns, employs 250 counseling and treat-
ment professionals and has helped tens of
thousands of adolescents.
The rest of the funds will go to
CommunityNEXT to further its goals here
at home: connecting young adults with
internship and job opportunities and cre-
ating a more attractive culture and lifestyle.
"Their mission dovetails perfectly with
ours:' Blanck said.
A group of Israeli Defense Forces sol-
diers will also be among those attending
the Aug. 29 event. About 15 members of
the Mifgash (Hebrew for friends) will be
touring the United States and will be in
town at the right time to join in the fun at
Drake Park. They are regular participants
in Birthright Israel trips that provide
Jewish young adults with the opportunity