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Jeffrey Schostak and Rachel Prinstein
are two expats who decided to move
back home to Metro Detroit.
M
ore and more young Jewish professionals who left Detroit to start their careers
are finding a reason to move back home. Meet two of them here, engaged
couple Jeffrey Schostak and Rachel Prinstein.
Live Detroit Fund
Taking Applications
The Live Detroit Fund (LDF), which will
provide rent subsidies for up to 25 young
professionals to move to the city of Detroit
(Midtown, Eastern Market, Lafayette
Park, Woodbridge, Brush Park, and East
Jefferson) is now taking applications.
The subsidies will be granted in the form
of $250 a month per person for up to one
year ($3,000). Recipients of the LDF will
be required to host one community event a
month that will strengthen the Jewish and
larger Detroit community.
CommunityNEXT will manage the fund
as well as the application process, which is
now live at www.LiveDetroitFund.org .
Jeffrey Schostak
Jeffrey Schostak, 28, of Birmingham, works as director of corporate real estate
services for Livonia-based Schostak Brothers & Co., a commercial real estate
development firm. He's engaged to Rachel Prinstein and attends services at Adat
Shalom in Farmington Hills.
Q: Why did you leave Metro Detroit?
Jeffrey: I left in 2001 to attend Indiana University. After college, I moved to
Chicago for a few reasons: Many of my friends from college were moving there, and
I wanted to live away in a big city for at least a little while.
Q: Why did you decide to come back?
Jeffrey: I decided to come back in the summer of 2010.1 had been living in
Chicago for five-and-a-half years at that time, and had an opportunity to come
home and work for my family business. Additionally, a lot of friends I grew up with
either never left Metro Detroit or had already moved back, and I was noticing quite
a bit of activity and positive energy in Detroit. The timing seemed right on a lot of
levels. I have been back now for just over a year.
Q: What are your thoughts on the future of Metro Detroit?
Jeffrey: I see a real buzz about Detroit again, especially in Downtown Detroit.
Furthermore, I believe there is a lot of opportunity for young people in Michigan for
a few reasons. There are fewer of us here than in most of the other major markets
across the country. Thus, people here want to see more young people and want to
work/mentor us younger folks. While it may be tougher to find a job initially, I think
when you do, the opportunity to grow and be a real difference maker are potentially
better than in Chicago, New York or LA.
Rachel Prinstein
Rachel Prinstein, 24, of Birmingham, works as director of social media at Denise
Ilitch Designs in Birmingham. She's engaged to Jeffrey Schostak and is not yet
affiliated with an area synagogue.
Q: Why did you leave Metro Detroit?
Rachel: After my freshman year at the University of Michigan in 2006, I
transferred to the Fashion Institute of Technology to pursue my fashion dreams in
New York City. During that time, I was fortunate to go to school and have amazing
internships and jobs in the industry. I thought, at the time, New York was the place
to be.
Q: Why did you decide to come back?
Rachel: After about five years of living in New York, I was ready for a change.
Jeffrey and I were dating, and he got a job in Detroit so I took a chance and looked
for job opportunities. To my surprise, there were many! I was hired by Denise Ilitch
to work for her growing accessory/fashion company based in Birmingham. I've been
home since October 2010, and I love every minute.
Q: What are your thoughts on the future of Metro Detroit?
Rachel: I am so thrilled and exhilarated when I think of what's going on now
in Metro Detroit and even more excited by what will happen in the years to come.
There is amazing energy from young professionals in the city right now. I think
there is a lot of opportunity in terms of jobs. Also, established professionals and
businesses are eager to hire recent grads to keep Metro Detroit growing. For young
entrepreneurs, I truly feel Metro Detroit is the place to be!
28
November 24 2011
Fun scene from last year's Latke Vodka
7th Annual Latke Vodka Nov. 26
Federation's role in bringing young adults
together in Metro Detroit continues
with the seventh annual Latke Vodka on
Saturday, Nov. 26, from 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
This year, the event will feature live
music from the Killer Flamingos as the
Next-Gen demographic of 21-40 year olds
takes over the Royal Oak Music Theatre on
the Saturday night after Thanksgiving.
The event is put on by the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit's
Young Adult Division and sponsored by
CommunityNEXT.
What is said to be "the biggest social
event of the year" will offer a huge
appeal with the Killer Flamingos, who
play an infectious blend of pop, rock and
electronica. The night will also feature a
DJ provided by Joe Cornell Entertainment,
Chanukah-themed hors d'oeuvres (dietary
laws observed), a cash bar, photo ops and
more.
"This year is unique because we have
reps from big cities such as New York, LA,
DC and Chicago who opted into promoting
the event to their networks of Detroit
expats," said Jared Goldman, YAD Latke
Vodka chair. "We hope this annual event
brings a larger-than-normal and pumped-
up crowd to party all night long and show
their love and support for the Detroit
Jewish and larger community."
Rachel Lachover, associate director
of CommunityNEXT, adds some extra
guaranteed hype by saying, "This year,
Latke Vodka 7 promises to be the
best year yet. The YAD task force and
CommunityNEXT team has come together
to put a larger-than-life event together that
will engage Detroiters with a spectacular
lineup and a fun late night surprise!"
Organizers are expecting more than 700
young adults.
Pre-register at jewishdetroit.org/latke
and be entered to win a free iPad. Tickets
are $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
See The Maccabeats In Concert
Head to Shaarey Zedek in Southfield
for an adults-only evening featuring a
performance by popular Jewish a cappella
group, the Maccabeats beginning at 8:30
p.m. Dec. 3.
The Maccabeats
The evening is sponsored by
CommunityNEXT, YAD and the Sandra
Davis Memorial Fund and includes specialty
drinks, hors d'oeuvres and dessert.
Congregation Shaarey Zedek members
18 and older and non-members under
41: $18 in advance or $25 at the door.
Reservations are required. For more
information and to purchase tickets,
contact Martha Goldberg at 248-357-5544
x46 or email mgoldberg@shaareyzedek.
org .
ACC...CPC, ...J.C.C.CfC.C.CK
Campus Connection
While attending Hillel of Metro Detroit's "Hidden Jewel Tour" of Wayne State University's
Detroit campus on Oct. 11, Rabbi Marla Hornsten, right, and Program Director Tracie
Feinman, left, of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield met with WSU graduate students taking
part in the tour lunch. Students shown at lunch at the HMD offices in the Student Center
Building are Matt Hughs, Alyssa McMillan, Elyse Sklar, Sam Bruni and Kevin Ginsburg. All
are from Temple Israel.
Want to see yourself in the JAI's Next Generation section? Send a photo of you and
your friends at a Metro Detroit Jewish community event to jheadapohl@renmedia.us .