mission. There is a need for JBAM, and
we hope to do a lot of good and make a
big impact!"
With Keith Sirlin as head adviser,
the previous members of B'nai B'rith
Barristers have been supportive in
joining the Jewish Bar Association.
According to Cohen, JBAM currently
has a commitment from 100 legal pro-
fessionals to join by the end of the year.
Through word of mouth, NEXTGen
social networking, synagogue connec-
tions, Jewish agency services and edu-
cational programming, the number of
members are expected to easily increase
into the hundreds.

law. There was no such mentor/mentee
matching program in place at the time,
but Ohana's response was immediate:
"Let's make it happen"
JFS is now working through the
details of the mentoring component of
its program with plans to launch the
service in the fall.
"One of the strengths of our communi-
ty is the way our Jewish organizations col-
laborate" Ohana says. "I love the idea of
working with the Jewish Bar Association
of Michigan, NEXTGen Detroit and JVS
as we step into the future to develop the
skills and leadership of a new generation
of legal professionals at JFS and in the
community at large"

GALS

GUYS

❑

The Need: Filling The Gap
"We have a community where young
people are graduating from our univer-
sities and leaving the state — we want
to keep them here Cohen says.
"One of our goals is to help match
young people with potential jobs.
Another significant aspect of our initia-
tive is to provide avenues for network-
ing and the resources needed to help
those in the legal community at every
stage of their career."
Mosko adds, "We want to become the
hub for any and all legal needs in the
Jewish community. We envision that
JBAM will become a trusted resource
and facilitator for legal aid, volunteer
programs, pro-bono work and intern-
ship opportunities"
With its broad-scale goals and vision,
the Jewish Bar Association of Michigan
aims to be as inclusive and accessible
as possible. Annual dues are currently
set at a modest $15 for students, $50 for
lawyers in practice for 10 years or less
and $75 for all others.
And, no, you don't have to be Jewish
to join. The organization already has
connections to several church groups,
as well as the Chaldean Bar Association
and the Arab American Bar Association.

In Collaboration
The timing couldn't be better for
JBAM's startup and collaboration with
other Jewish organizations. Recently,
Federation's NEXTGen Detroit, in part-
nership with JVS, launched NEXTWork,
an initiative focused on connecting
job seekers with potential employers
through networking events.
Loebl, herself, has been a catalyst
at Jewish Family Service in expanding
the Legal Referral Program (www.
jfsdetroit.org), matching mentors with
mentees through the agency's existing net-
work of attorneys serving as volunteers.
As Loebl explains, she approached
Julie Ohana, supervisor of volunteer ser-
vices at JFS, with the desire to volunteer
with the Legal Referral Service, pro-
vided there was a seasoned attorney to
work with her as a mentor in family

Vivian Henoch is editor of myjewishdetroit.
org where this story first appeared.

248-851-1260

JBAM Breakout
Event Sept. 17

The Jewish Bar Association of
Michigan's launch event will be held
at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at
Local Kitchen & Bar, 344 W 9 Mile
in Ferndale (two blocks west of
Woodward).
Have fun, network with other
members of Michigan's legal com-
munity and learn more about the new
organization. An array of judges have
been invited to attend, ranging from
the state Supreme Court and Court of
Appeals to federal and local courts.
For the cost to attend and updated
information, visit https://www.
facebook.com/groups/JBAMichigan
and click on "Events" — or contact
Rachel Loebl at (248) 733-5530 or
Rachel@loebloffice.com .

M,T,W,TH,F 10-6
Sat. 10-5:30

Ili II st

ORCHARD MALL • WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI

ORCHARD LAKE ROAD • NORTH OF MAPLE

Authentic Chinese.

Fully Committed

At its first meeting of the board of
directors, JBAM elected the fol-
lowing officers:

President, Rachel M. Loebl, Law
Offices of Rachel M. Loebl

Vice President, Elisheva "Ellie"
Mosko, Ellis Porter

UPTOWN

Vice President of Finance/
Treasurer, Andrew H. Cohen,
Cohen Law Office

Vice President of Communications/
Secretary, Jonathan H. Schwartz,
Seyburn Kahn

Head Adviser, Keith Sirlin, Keith
Sirlin & Associates

AUTHENTIC CHINESE CUISINE

6407 Orchard Lake Road

(15 Mile & Orchard Lake)

4710 Cass Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48201

248.626.8585

313-974-7669

www.uptownshangrila.com

August 7 • 2014

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