ATID (Alliance for Teens in Detroit),
centered around a Conservative
Monday night teen school; Habonim
Dror, the Labor Zionist youth move-
ment; and the Reform youth group
NFTY (North American Federation
of Temple Youth).
When possible, BBYO works with
some of these groups on programs
such as J-Serve, where teens volun-
teer for community service at vari-
ous locations throughout the area,
and a team from NCSY played in the
BBYO flag football league.
"We want teens involved and con-
nected to the community and their
synagogues:' said Jodi Gross, associate
director of education and youth at Adat
Shalom Synagogue and a member of
the ATID leadership team. "Teens are
fortunate in Detroit to have a variety of
opportunities to learn with dedicated
educators and rabbis ..."
Adelman said that one of the
greatest challenges of keeping teens
involved is that many have schedules
that already are jam-packed with a
number of extracurricular activities.
"Today's teens really are busier;
it's not just talk:' he said. "There are
more demands on their time?'
Look closely at a BBYO teen, and
you are likely to find at least one par-
ent who also was a member.
"I remember when I was in BBYO,
and I'm thrilled my kids are part
of it," said Jill Sherman Marx of
Farmington Hills, mother of three
BBYO members.
University of Michigan medi-
cal student Julie Kaplan said her
experience in Ruach BBG helps her
stay connected to the Detroit Jewish
community. For Kaplan, BBYO has
always been a family affair; she and
her younger sister, Danielle, served
as co-treasurers of the Ruach chap-
ter, and their parents, Kim and Rob
Kaplan of Farmington Hills, also are
former BBYO members.
"I'm thrilled that both of my sons
have the opportunity to connect with
other Jewish teens:' said Debby Suris
of Bloomfield Township, mother of
Eli and Ari. "It helps them socially
and spiritually."
Adelman hopes that involvement in
BBYO will help teens form connections
that strengthen their ties to Detroit.
"Kids used to say they're going
to Chicago or {Washington,] D.C.
or New York after college said
Adelman. "We want Detroit to be
part of that lie
For more information, visit www
mibbyo.org or call (248) 432-5684. 0
For more about BBYO, see the
Commentary on page 31.
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February 23
2012
17