>> ... Next Generation ...

Showcasing
A Young Community

NEXTGen Detroit's biggest event of the year
celebrates a decade with record attendance.

BECKY HURVITZ I SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

T

he Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit's
NEXTGen Detroit hosted
a crowd of 1,150 young
adults on Nov. 29 at the 10th
Annual Latke Vodka event at the
Royal Oak Music Theatre. More
than a holiday party, the event is
a mega-reunion for locals and ex-
Detroiters and a first introduction
to the young Jewish community
here in Detroit for hundreds of
visitors in town for the holiday.
"For those that live and work
here, Latke Vodka is a great
reminder that we truly have a hub
of young Jewish life right in our
own back yard," said Matt Barker,
Latke Vodka co-chair two years
in a row. "And for many it's really
a 'welcome to Detroit' and first
introduction to our community and
to NEXTGen Detroit."
A gathering of 1,150 young
Jewish adults, the majority of
whom have planted roots in Metro
Detroit, illustrates that a dynamic,
young community is thriving here.
Young adults are identifying with,
connecting to and wanting to
be a part of their local Jewish
community — and the feeling is
contagious.
"Every year, we hear stories
of individuals moving back to
Detroit because of their Latke
Vodka experience," said Miryam
Rosenzweig, director of NEXTGen
Detroit. "You can't argue that
there's not a young, vibrant
Jewish community in Detroit after
attending the event."
In just four years, attendance
more than doubled and is steadily
climbing every year. With so
many out-of-towners and former
Detroiters coming out for the
event, Latke Vodka has become
a way to showcase the diverse
and growing Jewish community in
Detroit.

The event drew 1,150 people.

Detroit

ENTERTAINMENT

dr I V

Latke Vodka 10 Committee members: Ben Goutkovitch,
Lauren Rouff, co-chairs Matt Barker and Abi Liepshutz,
Albert Budnitskiy, Allie Gold, Ashley Weisberg and David
Einhorn.

Madelyn Losey, Matthew Bernstein, Jason Kanter, Hilary
Wagner, Allie Conn and Josh Kanter

"Since it launched a decade
ago, Latke Vodka has been the
place to be the Saturday night
after Thanksgiving," said Rachel
Taubman, outreach associate,
NEXTGen Detroit. "Every year, the
numbers increase, and it's a real
reflection of our young community
growing and becoming more
engaged and invested in Jewish
life in Metro Detroit."
To celebrate Latke Vodka turning
double-digits, NEXTGen Detroit
Collision Six played for the crowd.
pulled out all the stops. With two
live entertainment acts, a steady
stream of desserts and appetizers,
a specialty cocktail menu, new
photo ops and a packed dance
floor, NEXTGen Detroit's signature
"Facebookable" moments were
everywhere.
"It takes months of planning,
but seeing that crowd and feeling
that energy makes it all worth it,"
said Abi Liepshutz, Latke Vodka
co-chair. "We're not just playing
host to an event; we're giving our
Hilary Gorosh, Tara Forman, Jenny Gross
community an opportunity to shine,
Achtman and Shawn Achtman
and that feels wonderful." ❑

Alex and Jordon
Wertheimer

Yossi Lichterman, Katy Scharf, Lizzy
Kirsch and Sam Dubin

December 11 • 2014

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