>> ... Next Generation ...
Challenge Detroit
Local young Jewish leaders chosen
as finalists for "leaders of tomorrow."
ADAM FINKEL I SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
A
zerbaijan was the home of Vadim
Avshalumov until he moved to Israel.
He'd then travel about 6,000 miles to
Southfield where he would live in a
cramped one-bedroom apartment with his family.
His education was centered at Hillel Day
School in Farmington Hills and the Frankel Jewish
Academy in West Bloomfield. He'd go on to
Columbia University and the Jewish Theological
Seminary in New York. A year was spent in
England working for the Assembly of Masorti
Synagogues. By the time this is published, he'll
probably be hours away from graduating from
the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor with a
master's degree in urban planning.
His next stop, he hopes, is the city of Detroit.
Avshalumov, now 26, of West Bloomfield is
one of several finalists from Jewish Detroit in a
unique program called Challenge Detroit, which
will invite 30 visionary "leaders of tomorrow" to
positively impact the city of Detroit from August
2012 to July 2013. Sixty-six finalists remain of
the 900 that applied from around the world. The
latest round of judging included online votes
from 17,000 individuals. Those selected will be
announced publicly on May 21.
Joining Avshalumov as one of the 66 finalists
are Zachary Berlin of Farmington Hills, graduating
this semester from the Gerald R. Ford School of
Public Policy at the University of Michigan with a
bachelor of arts in public policy; Jared Berman of
Jared Berman
Mitch Mondry
Zac Berlin
Farmington Hills, graduating this semester from
the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan
State University with a bachelor of arts in finance
and a specialization in international business;
Mosher is very bullish on the prospects for Detroit.
Dana Schostak of Birmingham, graduating this semester
Beyond the creation of opportunity for young residents,
from the University of Michigan with a bachelor of arts
he wants this to advance "relentless positive messaging"
in sociology; Darin Gross of West Bloomfield, graduating
for the region. Mosher wants Challenge Detroit to
this semester from the Eli Broad College of Business
help "move this region from a message of despair to a
at Michigan State University with a bachelor of arts in
message of hope."
finance; and Isaac Gilman, graduating this semester from
Mitch Mondry of Birmingham, a current board member
the University of Michigan with a master's degree in
of Challenge Detroit, has been involved in the program
urban planning.
since it was a gem of an idea three years ago. To him,
The idea for Challenge Detroit was envisioned in
it seems like the kind of thing that can turn the tide
2009 by Doyle Mosher, a partner in Mosher Dolan, a
for Detroit and generate excitement and enthusiasm
Birmingham-based building firm. This is the first year of
locally and nationally to activate positive buzz for the
the Challenge Detroit competition, which aims to find
community. Mondry says this is one important piece to
leaders with the intelligence, passion and commitment
the puzzle, along with many other initiatives going on
to move the city forward. The participants will work
right now.
approximately 32 hours per week at one of the host
"The Jewish community has a strong history of
companies, which include Quicken Loans, Mango
leadership in Detroit, and it is incumbent upon us as
Languages, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, DTE
Jewish leaders to retain and recruit the next generation
Energy and Focus:HOPE.
of leaders," he said.
The participants receive monthly $500 subsidies
"I believe Detroit is the future," said Berlin. "I want to
to live in selected areas of Detroit, and they will be
be on the cutting edge of the energy flowing into the city
invited to monthly social and cultural activities by
... My dream is to work with a community of innovators
local organizations and participate in monthly team
who are committed to our city. We can make a difference.
challenges, such as a TechTown project to further social
One individual, one community, one vote at a time."
entrepreneurship in our region.
Berlin constantly hears from friends who express a
28
May 10 2012
passion to move to Detroit. "They want to have an
impact in a way they could not during a typical 9-5
job in Chicago or New York."
Berlin acknowledges the current challenges —
from unemployment and crime to poverty and poor
education — and he understands that one leader
cannot solve all of these problems. That's why he is
attracted to the collaborative nature of Challenge
Detroit.
Avshalumov, too, echoes that approach.
He has researched methods for increasing job
opportunities, providing better housing and
figuring out how communities can control their
destinies. He plans to apply the skills that he's
learned studying Detroit's social, economic and
cultural realities, and while researching what other
cities have done to improve their economies and
empower their residents.
"We all know the city is making a comeback,"
Berlin said. "It can be seen by the influx of
philanthropists, business leaders and public officials
all making the revitalization of Detroit a top
priority. All that's missing is the next generation of
leaders. Challenge Detroit helps to fill this gap."
Dana Schostak, a former intern with the North
American Development Team at the Birthright
Israel Foundation, envisions a year of cooperation
amongst the other change-makers in the city. She
says that her readiness to work with people and
revive our community has driven her to want to
make a difference.
"I have a strong desire to work with colleagues
to create a positive impact for those in need, and I
am determined to turn Detroit, my home, back into
the thriving city that it once was."
Berman, chairman of MSU Hillel Arts & Culture
and past-president of the MSU Hillel Jewish Business
Association, is excited about the "incredible people and
projects" rooted in Detroit's creative foundation. He
wants to build onto it for the benefit of others and the
benefit of the city. In the past year, he has interned at
Detroit Venture Partners, Dan Gilbert's venture capital
arm, and launched an apparel company with a small loan
from the Hebrew Free Loan Association.
It was also an internship with Detroit Venture Partners
that ignited Gross' commitment to Detroit. He says that
working in Detroit and seeing the changes going on was
a life-changing experience.
"Instantly, I was able to find the passion and direction
I was seeking," he said. "The summer showed me how
much opportunity Detroit has to grow as well as the
positive energy from the people that want to contribute.
With my passion, I know I can help make a better Detroit
a reality."
A common theme arose durng these interviews with
the finalists. It is summed up by one of the many lessons
Berlin learned at the University of Michigan's Hillel.
"An engaged community really can change the world,
or in this case, a city."