Why is an AFHU Hebrew University Gift Annuity different from all others? Motor City USY Conservative youth group, revitalized with new director, will offer teens programming, social action, "ruach." Alexis Zimberg Special to the Jewish News It drives the next generation of technology. M President Obama views Mobileye in action— see video at www.afhu.org/CGA2 On his recent state visit to Israel, President Obama received a demonstration of Mobileye from Amnon Shashua, the Sachs Family Professor of Computer Sciences at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Mobileye, an Advanced Driver Assistance System, saves lives and boosts automotive safety. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is an engine of innovation and discovery for Israel and our global community. When you create a secure AFHU Hebrew University Gift Annuity— with its high lifetime return, income tax deduction and partially tax-free payments—your annuity drives Israeli-led innovation toward a better and safer future. AFHU Hebrew University Gift Annuity Returns Age Rate 67 70 6.2% 75 7.1% 85 9.5% 90 11.3% 6.5% 8.o% Rates are calculated based on a single life. Cash contributions produce partially tax-free annuity income. CALL OR EMAIL NOW. THE RETURNS ARE GENEROUS. THE CAUSE IS PRICELESS. Share in the vision of Albert Einstein, a founder of The Hebrew University. Help propel a catalyst for research and learning that strengthens Israel and transforms our world. For information on AFHU Hebrew University Gift Annuities, please call AFHU Midwest Region Executive Director, Judith Shenkman at (312) 329-0332 or email: jshenkman@afhu.org The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Research engine for the world. Engine of growth for a nation. AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1530 Chicago, IL 60611 • 877-642-AFHU (2348) 500 www.afhu.org/CGA2 10 January 30 • 2014 otor City USY is back. After a decade of near-dormancy, the Conservative Jewish youth group is experiencing a major revival. Dwarfed by BBYO, Motor City USY (MCUSY) struggled with outreach for many years. But, perhaps influenced by the popularity of Conservative summer programs like Camp Ramah, MSUCY's membership woes are no more. In fact, at an October USY convention in Toledo, the group won accolades for bringing not only the largest chapter to the convention, but also the most incom- ing freshman. MCUSY kicked off the academic year with a new board, headed by co- presidents Brian Dickstein of Farmington Hills, a North Farmington junior, and Jesse Adler of Farmington Hills, a Frankel Jewish Academy senior. They also have a new youth director, David Lerner, Congregation Shaarey Zedek's director of youth and young adult programming. The group pools resources from six Detroit-area congregations: Adat Shalom and B'nai Israel Synagogues and Congregations Shaarey Zedek, Beth Ahm, B'nai Moshe, and Beth Shalom. While Shaarey Zedek pays Lerner's salary, the other synagogues contrib- ute through marketing, recruiting and hosting chapter events. By blending traditions from Detroit's Conservative synagogues, MCUSY helps to define a unified Conservative Jewish identity for teens, one that goes beyond the walls of a certain synagogue. Only halfway through the school year, the group already has reached a sustain- able momentum. To ensure its future, MCUSY has resurrected its Kadima chapter designed to introduce younger teens (grades 6-8) to the youth group through Shabbat dinners, regional con- ferences and social events. MCUSY is about more than just Jewish ritual; it is about exploring social action and leadership from a Jewish perspective. For example, a recent event was held at Beaverland Farms in Northwest Detroit's Brightmoor neighborhood. There, the group spent a Sunday after- noon building a beehive and helping with the season's final harvest. What drew the group to this particu- lar farm was its farmer, Scott Unger. Between tending to his crops and chick- Brian Dickstein of Farmington Hills and Eden Lichterman of Huntington Woods at Beaverland Farms in Detroit ens, Unger is an observant Jew, who kosher, observes Shabbat and spent his off-season at a yeshivah in Israel. This month, 30 members met at the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue, put- ting their arms around one another's shoulders and singing Havdalah prayers to end Shabbat. The teens then marched down Woodward Avenue to Campus Martius. They spent the evening bonding over ice skates, hot chocolate and the pop radio songs playing overhead. "My favorite moment of the night was when I stopped on the side of the ice and watched the others:' Adler said. "It was like watching the future of USY in front of me, and it was beautiful:' By bridging Jewish tradition, Detroit- based tikkun olam and the infrastructure for Conservative Jewish teens to social- ize, MCUSY offers something different, including ruach, Hebrew for spirit.. "We're the middle ground between NCSY and BBYO," said Atara Krakoff of Southfield, communications vice presi- dent. "We like to think we are helping kids learn to love being Jewish:' With discernible pride, Dickstein wrote a note on the group's Facebook page in October: "Let's ride on this momentum and continue to show everyone from the community, and the ones that may not know about us yet, that USYers are future Jewish leaders, fun and will make a differ- ence in the lives of others. Let's make this a year of inspiration:' ❑ Upcoming events: Feb. 23, Israeli culture night; and March 15, Purim-style limo scavenger hunt. To RSVP or to learn more about getting involved, contact the MCUSY Youth Director David Lerner at DLerner@ShaareyZedek.org.