Detroit Comeback
Akiva juniors take tour of landmarks:
Quicken Loans and WSU.
Jamie Rashty
Teen2Teen Writer
W
alking through the meticu-
lously designed, fantasy-like
hallways of the Quicken
Loan office building in Detroit, Akiva
Hebrew Day School's junior class was
in awe of the incredible decor that cov-
ered every inch of space around them.
Our guide, Bruce Schwartz, called it
"Candyland." After walking through
a lobby with a 12-story water stream
falling from the ceiling, Schwartz and
Kristen Shelton, both of Quicken, led
us to the elevators for a ride to the 10th
floor. When the doors opened, we stood
looking out massive windows at the
city of Detroit.
There, Schwartz explained the
detailed plans Quicken Loans had in
store for the city to bring back thriving
businesses and thus a larger popula-
tion.
Gilbert is buying-many historic
buildings along the Woodward cor-
ridor and quickly filling them with
people and working facilities. The swift
turnaround was incredible to see; the
opportunities increasing in Detroit
in such a short period of time are
astounding.
Some of the company's future plans
for Detroit consist of revamping the
main gathering area of the city into
shopping malls, upbeat restaurants and
areas that will attract more people to
the city.
"Participating in the Quicken Loans
tour allowed me to see people's visions
and dreams of a rejuvenated Detroit
become a reality," says junior Yoni
Nadel.
"I love that I have the opportunity
to be able to experience the rebuilding
of my hometown:' says junior Maddie
Warshay. "The reaffirmation of Detroit's
rebirth was really eye-opening for me.
I can't wait to be able to hang out there
with my friends!"
Following our visit to Downtown
Detroit, we went to Wayne State
University where we were given a tour
of the campus. As we walked through
the vast, upbeat campus, we were
amazed to see the myriad opportuni-
ties WSU has to offer. We were shown
the dormitories, classrooms, workout
facilities as well as the Alumni house,
where we stopped for lunch.
There, Jewish students involved in
Hillel spoke to us about their great
experiences with Wayne State and the
many ways in which the vibrant Hillel
has contributed to their college experi-
ence. Jewish life at WSU is incredibly
active, organizing and running differ-
ent projects and programs for Jewish
students on campus.
As a class, we were able to see for
ourselves the unbelievable renovations
and numerous opportunities being
made in Detroit as well as the thriving
Hillel house. The fact that such massive
improvements have stemmed from just
a few individuals was truly inspiring
for us all. ❑
Jamie Rashty, 17, of West Bloomfield will
be an Akiva senior In the fall.
Akiva juniors tour Quicken Loans in Downtown Detroit.
32
July 26 • 2012
FJA Remembers
Students show captured U.S. soldier
Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl is not forgotten.
Molly Willams stands near the posters at school that count the days of
Bergdahl's captivity.
Molly Williams
Teen2Teen Writer
I
still remember where I was sitting
when I saw his face, when I heard
his voice: Frankel Jewish Academy,
freshman year Bible class. My teacher,
Mrs. [Liana] Gaba-Maine, had been teach-
ing us about captivity and ransoms in
Judaism. We had discussed Gilad Shalit,
who, at that time, had not yet been
released.
Mrs. Gaba-Maine showed a video
about Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl of Idaho, a
U.S. Army soldier kidnapped by the
Taliban in 2009, just before I entered
ninth grade. How could this be going
on and I didn't know? How could I have
known about Gilad Shalit, a captured
Israeli soldier, but knew nothing about a
soldier who fights for the country that I
call home?
Frankel Jewish Academy prides itself
on its four pillars of identity as an Open,
Halachic, Zionist, American high school.
With all our attention on Zionism and
Israel's captive soldier, we had com-
pletely overlooked the capture of an
American soldier. Seeing the pain in his
eyes and hearing the soft quiver in his
voice, I knew that he needed our prayers.
He needed us to fight. He needed the
voices from an American school show-
ing him he was not forgotten.
Some students and I took action.
We made a chart, similar to the one
counting Gilad Shalit's days in captiv-
ity. We made weekly announcements
at our Friday Town Halls, updating FJA
staff, students and faculty about this
American hero who hasn't been home
since June 30, 2009.
We communicated with Bowe's sister,
who thanked us for our continual effort
to spread awareness. We spoke with
James Roberts, a man who donated
yellow Bowe Bergdahl bracelets to our
school and to Hillel Day School to help
us spread awareness and have a constant
reminder on our wrists.
We took part in Facebook Tuesdays,
which mark each passing week since
that fateful Tuesday three years ago. We
encouraged our family and friends to
sign a petition asking Congress to take
action to free the only American sol-
dier known to be in captivity. We were
inspired. A boy at Hillel even made the
cause part of his bar mitzvah project.
Our school has made a difference.
I've ended my junior year now, and this
cause is still is as important to me today
as it was in that Bible class freshmen
year. As long as Sgt. Bergdahl is held
captive, my friends and I are commit-
ted to doing everything in our power to
educate others about his kidnapping.
To .learn more, visit www.
supportbowe.org.
❑
Molly Williams of White Lake will be a senior
at Frankel Jewish Academy In the fall.