>> ... Next Generation ...

$300,000 raised for Federation's 2013 campaign.

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More than 850 people came to the EPIC event.

EXTGen Detroit hosted its second annual
EPIC Event, on Saturday, March 9, when
more than 850 young adults gathered at
the MGM Grand in Detroit to celebrate the
vibrant community and support the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit.
The sold-out event, sponsored by Sue & Alan J. Kaufman
and family, has been described as the "event of the year."
The crowd, dressed in their Saturday-night finest, reflected
the growing passion and pride for the Jewish community
amongst the next generation of Jewish Detroiters.
B.J. Novak, writer and producer of the hit TV-show The
Office, drew many laughs from the crowd. While Novak
was funny, the new NEXTGen campaign video might

have just stolen the show. Highlighting the work that
Federation does to meet critical needs and build Jewish
community, the video clearly resonated with the crowd.
With the help of EPIC co-chairs, Jordan Glass and
Leah Bold, Robb Lippitt, National Young Leadership chair
designate and JFMD board member, rallied the crowd
to "step forward" and make a meaningful pledge to
Federation's 2013 campaign.
The crowd responded epically. The total amount
pledged that evening was $303,242, double what was
raised last year. Adding to this success was the fact that
there were 194 new donors to Federation that night.
Jordan Glass said, "EPIC was inspirational; it
reinvigorated those who are already committed and will

10.
We Aim .1. Namillime

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Francine Arbit of West Bloomfield
Renee Wolgin and Jay Wolgin of
and Sonia Gonte of Bloomfield Hills West Bloomfield, and Jeff and Jenica

Tal Rothstein and Margaret Frankel
came up from Cleveland to attend
the event.

surely motivate others to participate and become leaders
in the years to come."
It is clear from EPIC that the Jewish community is
moving in the right direction. Seen so vividly at the EPIC
Event, the next generation of Jewish leadership is making
its mark boldly in their support of the community and the
Jewish Federation.
Alan Kaufman was particularly impressed with the
success of EPIC. After the event he proudly said, "If there
was ever a feeling that there was not a deep bench of
future leaders in this community, EPIC has put that fear
to rest!"
You can find Federation's new video at jewishdetroit.
org.

Chairpersons Jordan Glass and Leah
Bold, both from Birmingham, stand on

Phil Okun of Huntington Woods and
Kelli Saperstein of Detroit

Gunsberg of Bloomfield Hills

either side of speaker B.J. Novak.

Shaindle Braunstein of West
Bloomfield, Lauren Ornazian of Royal
Oak and Jared Goldman of Royal Oak

Jessica Goodwin, assistant director of
Joey and Chaya Selesny of Southfield,
and Sandy and Jim Danto of Bloomfield NEXTGen Detroit, and Josh Kanter of
the Community Outreach Association
Hills
of Detroit

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