Metro

AROUND TOWN

A Real Hit!

Young adults throw their support behind Pitch for Israel Detroit.

Back: Josh Borson and Brett deMarrais, both of Royal Oak, and Scott Germansky

Back: Neil Simmerman and Stu and Amy Brody, all of Birmingham, Jodie Rosenbaum

of West Bloomfield. Front: Zack Stern of Royal Oak and Scott Johnston of West

of West Bloomfield and Kyle Zwiren and Amanda Zwiren, both of Bloomfield Hills.

Bloomfield.

Front: Jenna Krinsky and Michelle Friedman, both of West Bloomfield.

he ceremonial "first pitch" was thrown around 9 a.m., followed by nonstop
action during the first-ever Pitch for Israel Detroit charity softball tournament
at Drake Sports Park in West Bloomfield. Fourteen teams made up of 160 play-
ers took the field at various times throughout the day and early evening. In all, about
500 people, including spectators and volunteers, took part in the much anticipated Aug.
29 event organized by two young leaders, Adam Blanck, a first-
year law student at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and
Benjy Gordon, an aspiring filmmaker in Detroit.
The idea was inspired by a similar annual event in Toronto. A
committee of Jewish young adults helped make the local tourna-
ment a reality.
"The atmosphere was electric; it really exceeded our expecta-
tions," said Gordon. "Between corporate sponsorships and player
donations, we raised more than $50,000:'
The funds will go to CommunityNEXT, a Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit initiative launched in January with the goal
of attracting and retaining young Jewish professionals, and Elem,
an Israeli program that helps runaway, homeless and neglected

adolescents. In addition to the day of competitive softball, there were DJs spinning tunes,
a "break tent" with massage therapists, a lounge area for socializing, a big barbeque
lunch and fresh fruit smoothies.
Ben Friedman of West Bloomfield raised $1,700 and was the top overall fundraiser.
He won a free trip to Los Angeles complete with plane tickets and passes to a movie pre-
miere. Plans are already in the works to do it all again . next year.
"Hopefully, it will evolve into a staple in the community's summer calendar:' said
Gordon. "A lot of people got to reconnect with others they hadn't seen in years. The con-
solidation of a young, active and engaged community is one of our driving principles,
so it was refreshing to see that. It's amazing what we can do when we come together as a
community:'
Spotted in the Pitch for Israel Detroit crowd were: Spencer Hiller of Franklin; Alex
Shiffman, Josh Jacobs, Lynda and Harold Friedman, Lauren Kaczander and Jessica
and Steve Migliore, all of West Bloomfield: Drew Wachler of Huntington Woods;
Heather Kerwin of Bloomfield Hills; and Jeff Roberts of Birmingham.

T

Elana Weinstein of Farmington Hills and

Dena Cohen of Oak Park

16

September 9 • 2010

Max Neistein of West Bloomfield

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For more information about CommunityNEXT, contact Jordan Wolfe at (248)
203-1467 or via e-mail, wolfe@jfmd.org .

Katie Knapp of Ferndale

George Roberts of Birmingham