>>

Next Generation

Another

uccess

More than 600
join to support
Federation's
Annual
Campaign.

600 people came out to support Federation at the EPIC Event.

JERRY ZOLYNSKY I PHOTOGRAPHER

F

ederation's NEXTGen Detroit hosted the third
annual EPIC Event earlier this month, where
more than 600 young adults gathered at the
MGM Grand in Detroit to celebrate the growing
next-gen community and support the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit.
The EPIC event, sponsored by Sue & Alan J. Kaufman and
family, has been described as the "premier campaign event
of the year" for NEXTGen Detroit. The lively crowd reflected
the growing passion and pride for the community amongst a
spectrum of young Jewish Detroiters.
Scott Mitnick and Matt Ran, EPIC Event co-chairs,
inspired attendees to "step forward" and make a meaningful
pledge to Federation's 2014 campaign. Afterward, Nick
Kroll, actor, comedian, writer and producer, best known for
his role as Ruxin on The League, performed a comedy set
that drew abundant laughter from the crowd.
The response was amazing: $296,000 was pledged to
Federation's 2014 Annual Campaign, with more than 130
new donors attending and a 26 percent increase in donations
from current donors over last year.
"Walking into EPIC, you were amazed by the incredible
fun, energy and attention to detail of the event," said
presenting sponsor Alan Kaufman. "The fact that we also
accomplished our fundraising mission is a testament to the
tremendous commitment of the young leadership we have in
our community."
"It was an honor being selected to chair such an important
event for the next-gen community," Mitnick said. "It's an
incredibly fun and entertaining event, but at its core, EPIC is
an opportunity for the younger generation to show up, step
forward and ensure that the Jewish community will continue
to remain strong. The event is labeled 'EPIC' for a reason, and
this year, once again, it has definitely lived up to its title." ❑

40

March 27 • 2014

Julie Goldman, special
events coordinator, from
Southfield and Steve
Edelman of West Bloomfield

Julie Marx of Bloomfield Hills
and Lee Burnstein of West
Bloomfield

out pledge envelopes.

Leah Bold of Scottsdale, Ariz., and
Rachel Lachover of Birmingham

Josh and Julia
Weinberg of
Southfield flank
comedian Nick Kroll.

Maya Sparra of Florida
and Chad Silver of
Detroit