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In
DeTrraly•_%
Jewish
t was always my hope
to move to Detroit after
graduate school. A frequent
visitor from Ann Arbor, I
have long been an advocate for
strengthening the city's already
dynamic Jewish community.
A vibrant Judaism exists in
Detroit. Though I cannot speak
for an entire community, I would
like to believe that most young
Jews who live in the city have
made a conscious decision to
do so. This community wishes to impact the
present. Many play an active role in their
neighborhood and community, shaping a
variety of institutions and networks. Through
these venues, they are able to cultivate
spiritual, cultural, educational and social
opportunities for like-minded peers.
After I graduated from the
Jewish Communal Leadership
Program at the University of
Michigan in May, I was looking to
bridge my passion for a mindful
Judaism with my thirst to live in
tune with the rhythm that makes
Detroit so unique. The Repair
the World Moishe House in
Woodbridge, aptly nicknamed the
"Mitzvah House," has allowed me
to do just that. Here, I can engage
with a form of Judaism that is energetic,
introspective, and inviting of new experiences
and ideas.
Co-founding a new Repair the World
Moishe House dedicated to service enables
my housemates and me to contribute to
the depth of the Jewish community in
Downtown Detroit and focus on direct service
programming that helps address local needs.
Establishing our house's communal identity
has been an exciting challenge. We quickly
learned that Detroit's Jewish community
is incredibly interconnected. Professional,
personal and spiritual communities connect
and grow through a myriad of Jewish and
secular experiences.
In only a few short weeks, our house
gained a reputation for its work engaging
a diverse cross-section of young Detroiters.
We now see many new faces at each of our
events while also noticing the formation of a
regular crowd. It is a strong start, and we are
hoping to build on this momentum.
What comes next is difficult. It is our
mandate to ensure that our programming
adds value to both the Jewish and general
Detroit communities. So we are working hard,
meeting with members of these communities
to discover what valuable roles we can play
and what the Mitzvah House can bring to the
table.
In October, we helped host a field day with
a fifth-grade class of "change makers" from
Plymouth Educational Center. We provided
healthy food and facilitated an enjoyable
afternoon for the kids and their families.
Engaging with Jewish culture, we hosted
a shakshuka-making workshop at our house
run by the Israeli nonprofit, Puzzle Israel.
This led to a riveting conversation about
innovative Israel travel programming.
Through this and other similar programming,
we have actualized our home as a hub not
only for service, but also as a welcoming
environment for Jewish experiences and
dialogue to take place.
It is clear that there is a niche for us here
in Detroit, yet we understand the importance
of building strong collaborative relationships
with existing programs. We must work
together to generate creative outlets that
provide opportunities for our peers to
express and enact their desire to do social
good.
Repair the World Moishe House must
make a real difference by providing
meaningful Jewish experiences around
service, education and social justice for
young adults in Metro Detroit. And it will.
Reach out to us at any time
(detroitrepairhouse@gmail.com ). Even better,
come down to the house. We want to hear
what our community is looking for, and we
look forward to providing it in an accessible,
fun and innovative way.
❑
Josh Kanter lives in the Repair
the World Moishe House in the
Woodbridge neighborhood of
Detroit. He works in the NEXTGen
Department at the Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit.
Peacri
The latest scoop from ComePlayDetroit.
s we enter the holiday
season, ComePlayDetroit is
kicking off our fall leagues
with co-ed volleyball, men's
basketball, co-ed bowling in Berkley and
co-ed bowling downtown at Garden Bowl.
for the rest of us
Uncomina Partie,
We are also helping to celebrate the
holidays with a couple of upcoming
The Pole. The -thing of Crieranres. Feats of Strength
events.
On Tuesday, Dec. 25, join us for
the Festivus for the Rest of Us at
Fifth Avenue in Royal Oak on
can be purchased directly at any
Christmas night. Doors open
ComePlayDetroit league or event.
On Friday, Nov. 23, we
at 9 p.m.; upstairs opens at 11
Contact us for more info.
celebrated the 3 in 1 Birthday
p.m. with special guest DJ Prevu.
Bash (me, Aaron Belen and
Mazel Toy:
Enough of Chinese food and the
Matt Ran) at Chen Chow in
movies on Christmas; let's party! We'd like to congratulate two
Birmingham. There was a $10
of ComePlayDetroit's original
And stay tuned for more
Semonna Abidor and Jared Matz
cover after 10 p.m. to raise
information on ComePlayDetroit's participants, who have combined
money toward fixing the Oak
FIRST New Year's Eve Party at St.
to play more leagues together
Andrew's Hall in Detroit! $25
Park JCC floors. If you are
than any other couple: Mazel Toy
interested in helping support
for general admission tickets;
to Semonna Abidor and Jared Matz for
our fundraising efforts,
$75 VIP tickets, including top-
tying the knot on Saturday, Nov. 10, in a
Justin Jacobs
shelf open bar. There will be a
you can contact us directly
beautiful ceremony and reception at The
live band and DJ performing
Henry in Dearborn. Thank you for making
for donation details at
all night on multiple floors.
contactus@comeplaydetroit.
CPD a part of your lives. We are so happy
corn or call us at (248) 845-8273.
Tickets are available on LiveNation.com or
for the two of you! ❑
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December 6 • 2012
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