>> ... Next Generation •.•
— commentary
Get Ready Imo
An EPIC Th.
young and vibrant
Jewish community —
that was the message
hat reverberated
following NEXTGen Detroit's first
EPIC Event last year.
The 2013 EPIC Event, sponsored
by Sue and Alan J. Kaufman and
family, promises to be even greater.
EPIC isn't just the name of the event,
it will be the entire experience of the
evening.
EPIC is NEXTGen's major
fundraising effort of the year, and
this year's event is set to be a
celebration of everything we love
about our community: connectedness,
involvement and passion. This year,
you will see just how
invested our young
Jewish community is in
Federation.
On March 9, EPIC
will feature B.J. Novak,
most widely known as
the writer and executive
producer of the hit TV
show The Office. Novak
is sure to provide big
laughs and lasting
memories.
Yet, EPIC isn't solely focused on
entertainment. At its core, EPIC is
a testament to the strength of our
young adult Jewish community and
the central role that Federation plays
in building and sustaining Jewish life
across Metro Detroit.
The 2012 EPIC Event was the
launch of NEXTGen Detroit, a dynamic
new branch within the Jewish
Federation. Undoubtedly, it's been an
amazing first year for NEXTGen Detroit
and the entire Federation community.
Jordan Glass, EPIC co-chair along
with Leah Bold, believes that EPIC
makes giving to Federation feel both
good and important. "We're taking
care of our community and providing
services to those in need, both at
home in Detroit and in Israel," Glass
says.
The EPIC Event will put our
community on display. It shows that
not only does Detroit's young Jewish
community have a critical mass to
have this kind of event, but we're
flourishing in so many ways. Last year
we saw one-third of the donors at
EPIC were new, of which there was
an average gift of $131. For previous
donors, there was a card-for-card
32
February 21 • 2013
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NEXTGen Detroit's
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Saturday, March 9 I 8:30 p.m. 1 MGM Grand Detroit
Brought to you by Sue &Alan J. Kaufman and Family
increase of 61 percent over 2011.
EPIC is an "inspired experience,"
says Glass. Throughout his NEXTGen
involvement, Glass says there's
nothing like EPIC. "It's an infectious
atmosphere. Any time you can fill a
room with this many individuals, so
passionate and committed to the
Jewish community, you know it will
be a motivating experience for young
people."
EPIC played a significant
role in the success NEXTGen
found in its 2012 campaign.
In 2012, NEXTGen saw an
increase of 20 percent in
dollars raised over 2011.
NEXTGen's donor base has
doubled since 2010, and
quadrupled since 2005.
Leah Bold, EPIC co-chair,
says, "Our leadership and
staff have been working so
hard and it shows. I can't
wait to sell out EPIC and see our
campaign grow!"
Associate Director of NEXTGen
Detroit, Jessica Goodwin, says that
EPIC is a total game changer.
"This event redefines the
connection with community and
philanthropy in a very exciting and
meaningful way," she says. "The
power in the room of 700-plus young
adults, collectively stepping forward
and making an impact to strengthen
our community is incredibly inspiring,
and as a professional, makes me very
proud that as a Federation we can
create this opportunity."
NEXTGen has a lot to celebrate,
and so do you. Come join your
community at EPIC on March 9 at
the MGM Grand in Detroit. Advanced
registration is required and tickets are
$65. Attire is Saturday night chic.
Sponsor Alan Kaufman said,
"The health of a community can be
measured in many ways. The best
barometer is to look at the next
generation. At the Jewish Federation,
we have very strong leadership
through NEXTGen, and this is an
incredibly positive sign for our
community." ❑
Purim Festivities At
Adat Shalom Synagogue
A traditional Megillah reading will be
held on Saturday, Feb. 23, at 6:45 p.m,
including a costume contest for all
ages.
On Sunday, youth festivities begin
at 11 a.m. with a creative, musical and
riotous presentation of the songs and
story of the Megillah.
Sunday, noon-2 p.m., will be a free
mega-carnival with entertainment and
dancing by Joe Cornell, games, bounc-
ers and more. Lunch will be available
for purchase at the carnival.
Adat Shalom adults and friends will
dress up for Missebaba (The World's
Coolest Party) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday,
March 2, featuring food, music and
dancing by the Brian Alexander
Band. Chairing Missebaba are Abbe
Sherbin and Sheila Tyner, both of West
Bloomfield.
For information, call (248) 851-
5100.
Temple Israel Purim
Video Goes Global
Temple Israel's Purim music video was
featured on the front page of Maariv
Online with a story on the front of the
NRG Judaism section.
The story was a about how progres-
sive Jews celebrate Purim in America
with male and female rabbis and can-
tors, etc.
The Temple Israel video can be
found on YouTube.
ZOA Hosts Israel
Education Workshop
Are you headed to Israel this summer?
A youth group trip? A year-long study
program?
Join the Zionist Organization of
America for an Israel Education
Workshop and know before you go.
Any middle or high school stu-
dent participating in the workshop
may be eligible to receive one of five
$1,000 scholarships from the Zionist
Organization of America–Michigan
Region toward the cost of an educa-
tional Israel program.
The competition for these awards
will be based on the quality of an
essay to be submitted and on the
results of a face-to-face interview
with a select group of students.
Additional scholarships of varying
sums may be granted at the scholar-
ship committee's discretion.
The Israel Education Workshop will
take place Sunday, April 21, from 10
a.m.-2 p.m. at the Jewish Community
Center in West Bloomfield, 6600 W.
Maple Road.
Learn about Israel's 3,000 year his-
tory, Jewish heritage, how to advocate
for Israel and where to find the best
falafel in Jerusalem ...
The workshop will include lectur-
ers, discussions, a movie, lunch and
snacks.
For more information and to
reserve a spot, contact Kobi Erez at
(248) 661-6000 or kobi@mizoa.org .
A Look At Three Jews
Thought To Be Messiah
Adat Shalom
Synagogue in
Farmington Hills
hosts a three-part
lunchtime learning
series led by Rabbi
Herbert Yoskowitz.
He will discuss three
Jews who have
Rabbi Herbert
claimed, or whose
Yoskowitz
followers have
claimed, to be the
Messiah. The sessions are set for 11:45
a.m.-1:15 p.m. and will examine:
• Thursday, March 7 — Shimon Bar
Kochba, who was the leader of the
revolt in Judea against Rome (132-135
C.E.).
• Thursday, March 14 — Shabbetai
Tzvi (1626-1676), the central figure of
Sabbateanism, the messianic move-
ment named for him.
• Monday, March 18 — Rabbi
Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-
1994), the seventh Lubavitch Rebbe,
who was proclaimed the Messiah by
one of his disciples in 1984.
Free. Bring a dairy lunch; drinks and
dessert provided. For information, call
(248) 851-5100.
IRP Series Features
Four Speakers
The Jewish Community Center of
Metropolitan Detroit's IRP (Institute
for Retired Professionals) will host its
2013 Spring Mini-Series on four con-
secutive Fridays in March.
The program includes:
March 1: Nan Washburn, music
director and conductor of the
Michigan Philharmonic, will speak on
"The Silent Art of the Conductor."
March 8: Wendy Evans, adjunct
lecturer in art history at Wayne State
University, will discuss "How To Look
with the Eyes of an Artist."
March 15: JCC Executive Director
Mark A. Lit will speak on "Building
Theatre: A Facility, a Program and a
Play!"
March 22: Artist and teacher Sergio
DeGiusti will discuss "The Latest and
Greatest in the Arts"
All programs will take place at the
JCC in West Bloomfield and are free
for IRP members and $5 each, or
$15 for the entire series, for others.
Refreshments will be served, and valet
parking is available. Reservations are
not necessary.
For information, call (248) 967-
4030, ext. 2018.