Jewish Detroit from page 30

in and perspectives on the city.
• A series of focused plenary
and table dialogues framing
critical questions related to the
community's current relation-
ship to the city and a request that
attendees begin framing avenues
toward continuing conversation
on these issues.
The purpose of this event is to
take a step back from the many
different current projects that are
refocusing Jewish Detroiters on
the city in order to reflect upon
the intentions, assumptions and
aspirations informing these vari-
ous projects.

Inspired Leaders
The JCLP provides an opportu-
nity for students to explore their
Jewishness in the professional
arena. Combining a master's
of social work degree from the
University of Michigan School of
Social Work, participants study
nonprofit management and com-
munity organizing as they relate
to the longstanding history of
Jewish organizations.
When our adviser, JCLP
director Dr. Karla Goldman,
was installed in 2009 as the Sol
Drachler Professor of Social
Work, she shared her vision of
students who would be engaged
in addressing the challenges of
21st-century Jewish community.
"It is my hope that in our
work we will be able to bring the
responsibilities inherent in our
ancient and more recent past
together with the opportunities
of this moment to imagine and
create a Jewish community that
believes in itself and [to] under-
stand its role in the many differ-
ent worlds of which it is part:'
Goldman said.
For the JCLP, this has been
a main programmatic focus.
The "What is Jewish Detroit?"
symposium on April 1, from 9
a.m.-4 p.m. at the University of
Michigan School of Social Work,
will explore these issues as they
inform the Jewish community's
relationship and responsibility
to the city of Detroit.
For more information, contact
Karla Goldman at (734) 763-6583
or kargold@umich.edu .

❑

Ariel Pearl-Jacobvitz and liana

Schuman-Stoler work in the Jewish

Communal Leadership Program at

the University of Michigan School of

Commentary

Opportunities Abound

BBYO Advisor program builds young leaders.

I

n fall 2009, I made my return to
Metro Detroit. I had spent my sum-
mer and the past several years in
Mount Pleasant, where I received my
bachelor's degree in communications
from Central Michigan University. I
found this time to be quite the transi-
tion from the college life-
style I was used to. I had
moved back into my par-
ent's home to save money
and started my first "big
kid" job.
I was thankful to have
employment in the ever-
slow Michigan economy.
However, working wasn't
enough for me and I craved
to become more involved
in my (Jewish) community.
My cousin was a member
of AZA at the time and he had told
me that the girls' chapters were look-
ing for advisers; he gave me the BBYO
office information. As a high school
student, I was involved in a BBG chap-
ter for a couple years, but didn't really
find my niche. I thought volunteering
to be an adviser would give me the
chance to reconnect with the organiza-
tion and make a difference in the lives

of local teens. It would also provide me
the opportunity to meet other young
professionals in the area and make
new friends.
Now, I can't believe that three years
have gone by; it feels like yesterday
I attended my first chapter meeting.
Although, advising surely has
its challenges, I have had noth-
ing short of an amazing time
working with the teens and
parents of my chapter. I have
watched young leaders emerge
and seen the teens become
more comfortable in their own
skins — year after year tak-
ing more advantage of the
wonderful opportunities BBYO
offers.
I feel the teens across BBYO
Michigan Region have become
increasingly thoughtful. Over the past
few months, teens have donated their
time and services to organizations
such as JARC and the Bottomless Toy
Chest. At the 2011 regional convention,
our teens fully embraced their religion
by creating beautiful siddurs and dvar
Torah presentations. Throughout the
International Order of BBYO, Michigan
Region stands out.
Recently, I was
selected to attend
the first-ever
Advisor Leadership
Training Conference
(ALTC) that was
held outside of
Chicago. I felt so
honored to be cho-
sen to represent
our dedicated group
of advisers. The
goal of the confer-
ence was to bring
advisers together
from the United
States and Canada
to share ideas,
exchange experi-
ences and build
IT'S MORE THAN AN
a stronger, more
ARGUMENT OVER
united network.
HUMANITARIAN AID.
I was able
to meet staff
members from
other regions
and the interna-
tional office. I was
thrilled to be sur-
rounded by like-

Dry Bones

AMERICA AND
THE WEST ARE
SUPPORTING THE
ANTI-ASSAD
FORCES

minded people striving to make a dif-
ference in the lives of teens. I learned
strategies to help the teens increase
involvement and plan more enriching
programs. I was able to further devel-
op my own leadership skills and bring
information back to my fellow advisers.
The ALTC program was more ben-
eficial than words can describe. 1 feel
like I have improved as an adviser
sixfold (a little BBG humor). This year,
I have truly seen the growth within my
chapter and myself, and I know I have
become a stronger mentor to these
girls.
Serving as an adviser for BBYO has
been my piece of tikkun olam. Not only
has advising been a great way for me
to give back to the Jewish community
but it also has enhanced my social life
and created a network of friends whom
are fellow advisers. I look forward to
being a part of this organization for
years to come! 0

If you are interested in becoming a
BBYO adviser, there are opportuni-
ties available for Jewish individuals 21
and older. Contact Lindsey Rosenberg,
program director at BBYO Michigan
Region, at (248) 432-5680 or
LRosenberg@bbyo.org.

standing
guard

For Israel
And Our Jewish
Community

"Israel apartheid week" anti-Israel
activities may pop up on some Michigan
campuses or communities in late
February or early March. Please know
that sensational language demonizing
Israel — apartheid, war crimes, Nazis — has
no legitimacy in fair and reasoned debates
about the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Prepared by Allan Gale, Jewish
Community Relations Council of
Metropolitan Detroit

0 Feb. 23, 2012, Jewish Renaissance Media

Social Work.

February 23 • 2012

31

