>> ... Next Generation ...

Latke
Vodka

ir

he Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit's NEXTGen Detroit hosts an annual
holiday party that's become quite legendary
over the years. Latke Vodka, which debuted
a decade ago, has grown exponentially every year —
drawing a crowd of more than 1,000 young adults in
2013. Celebrating its 10th anniversary on Nov. 29 at the
Royal Oak Music Theater, the 2014 edition is poised to
be the biggest and best Latke Vodka yet.
"Latke Vodka is NEXTGen's largest event of the year
because it's really the place to be for young Jews in
Detroit come Thanksgiving weekend," said Latke Vodka
Committee Co-Chair Abi Liepshutz. "Everyone is home
for the holiday, and it has really become a homecoming
and reunion for young Jewish adults in Metro Detroit.
"Because people come back every year, we have to
come up with ways to make it exciting and different
every year, and we've been planning for months to make
sure that we do," she added.
A 10th anniversary is cause for serious celebration,
and the NEXTGen team and Latke Vodka Planning
Committee of volunteers have been hard at work
coming up with new surprises for this year's guests.
While some highlights won't be revealed until that
night, they are willing to share a few details.
"We are in 'go big or go home' mode to make sure
the 10th year of Latke Vodka is on an entirely different
level than years past," said Rachel Taubman, NEXTGen
Detroit outreach associate and lead staff member
for the event. "We're bringing back Collision Six, an
incredible band that the crowd loved last year. We're

Jewish Detroit's
biggest party of the
year celebrates a
decade.

BECKY HURVITZ I SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

also having DJ Whip, who plays great dance music while
putting on a visual art show."
With a massive crowd that keeps growing every year,
NEXTGen Detroit had to find the perfect place that
could hold everyone, accommodate live entertainment
and provide an exciting atmosphere. The Royal Oak
Music Theater has been the Latke Vodka venue of choice
for the past several years for many reasons. Aside from
being large enough to fit 1,000 attendees, the space
lends itself to being both intimate and high energy.
"Latke Vodka is great because it offers a variety of
experiences for different people. Some come to dance
all night," said Latke Vodka Committee Co-Chair Matt
Barker." Some take a seat in the lounge area and catch
up with old friends. It's such a fantastic event because
it allows people to enjoy everything — the music, the
food, the drinks, the company."
What some attendees may not realize is that the
cost of their Latke Vodka tickets go to help the needs
of our Jewish community. Every $20 ticket purchased
is a donation to the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit's Annual Campaign, which supports 17 local
Jewish agencies as well as core partner organizations

abroad.
Expats from Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and
all over the country have made Latke Vodka a feature
of their Thanksgiving weekend plans for years. Many
who haven't been back to Detroit in a while are often
amazed at how the young Jewish community has
grown, both in number and in involvement.
"When I run into parents whose kids went to Latke
Vodka, they always tell me how their son or daughter
was blown away by the turnout and enthusiasm —
and that they'd love to come back and be a part of
this vibrant community," said Federation's CEO Scott
Kaufman. "When deciding where to live, folks often
start by asking two basic questions: Are there things
to do and are there people to meet? Latke Vodka is a
prime example that Detroit has both."
Added Amy Brody, NEXTGen Detroit employment
specialist, "The week after Latke Vodka, we get a
significant influx of calls and emails from young adults
interested in moving back to Metro Detroit. Many
want to learn about employment opportunities, and
we're fortunate that we have resources to help them
successfully move their careers back home."
According to Taubman, "We put on a lot of events
over the course of the year, but there is just something
special about Latke Vodka. It's really become a tradition,
and I have no doubt that it will continue to be the event
of the year for the next 10 years."

❑

Becky Hurvitz is the online content associate at NEXTGen

Detroit.

JN

November 13 • 2014

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