>> ... Next Generation ...
NEXTGen Detroit Board Shapes
The Future Of Jewish Detroit
BECKY HURVITZ
he Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit's NEXTGen Detroit Board met for
its monthly meeting on Oct. 21 at Hillel
Day School. The Board's 50 members,
ages 23 to 40, gathered in Hillel's mercaz (center) to
hear from Head of School Steve Freedman, take a tour
of the new innovation hub and regroup in the recently
remodeled cafe to tackle their lengthy agenda.
"I am constantly in awe of our board's level of
investment — the time they give, the responsibilities
they take on, the quality of ideas that they bring to the
table. We are exceptionally lucky to have this caliber
of young leaders in our community," said Miryam
Rosenzweig, director of NEXTGen Detroit.
NEXTGen Detroit's board meets every month with
separate meetings for the general board and the
executive board. Board members consist of lawyers,
doctors, rabbis, business owners, social workers and
other professionals who commit their time to not only
attend monthly meetings, but also the many meetings
needed to plan and execute NEXTGen Detroit's
packed calendar of programming and events.
One such program is the upcoming Entrée series,
which serves to inform young lay-leaders about
the Jewish Federation and its agencies and connect
them to mentors who are influential leaders in the
community.
"Entrée is a first glimpse into the world of
Federation. The goal is to engage new members of
the NEXTGen community and educate them on how
they can become further involved and provide a
meaningful, lasting contribution to Jewish Detroit,"
said Emily Nadis, NEXTGen board member and Entrée
co-chair.
Another program that has grown this year under
NEXTGen leadership is jbaby Detroit. A partnership
between NEXTGen Detroit and the Federation's
Alliance for Jewish Education, jbaby provides learning
opportunities, community resources and a supportive
network for Jewish parents of young children or soon-
to-be-parents.
"jbaby Detroit is working with Hebrew Free Loan to
promote their loans for infertility and adoption," said
Ariella Lis Raviv, NEXTGen board member and jbaby
Detroit co-chair.
"We're also working with Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny
from Temple Israel in conjunction with the Share
Support Group, which provides support to parents
who have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth or
infant loss. My co-chair, Shari Graham, and I are
really looking forward to expanding the jbaby Detroit
program this year," she added.
The Federation's recently unveiled "Here For
Good" marketing campaign was also presented at
the meeting. Board members divided into working
groups to discuss the many ways that they will use
and embrace the new campaign in their messaging,
marketing and goal-setting for the year.
"Our board members are consistently asking how
they can get involved and lead more, and I'm always
heartened to hear this. Whether it's to help in a
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October 30 • 2014
I SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
NEXTGen Detroit board members at Hillel Day School of Metro Detroit
Alyssa Bracha McMillan
Board members enjoy the new makerspace at Hillel.
Detrgrassroots way by cleaning homes affected
by the recent flooding or by stepping forward to
make a campaign call, they are a consummate
group of mentshes," said Jay Hack, NEXTGen
board president.
With 50 talented and diverse members, the
NEXTGen Board is truly the driving force behind
Jewish young adult engagement in Metro Detroit.
Developing strategy, executing events and acting
as ambassadors of Jewish Detroit, this growing
group has emerged as worthy successors to lead
the community in the years to come. ❑
Becky Hurvitz is the online content associate for
NEXTGen Detroit.
Adam Blanck, President Jay Hack and Tzvi Raviv