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An Inspiring Story Holocaust Center and NEXTGen participants learn from speaker Adam Braun.

T

he Holocaust Memorial Center
Zekelman Family Campus in
Farmington Hills, in partner-
ship with Federation's NEXTGen Detroit,
recently hosted "Stories that Inspire" fea-
turing Adam Braun.
The grandson of Holocaust survivors,
Braun is the founder of Pencils of Promise,
a successful "new model" nonprofit, the
director of the Global Education Platform
and has been a featured speaker at the
White House and the United Nations,
among other venues.
During the well-attended young adult
event, Braun shared the story of how his
grandparents' legacy and his Jewish roots
inspired him to make scalable, sustainable
education available to those in need.
"Adam Braun has a highly relatable
story for the young Jewish adults in our
community:' said Jacob Smith, event chair.
"He's a normal Jewish guy from New York
who chose to leave his corporate job to
pursue his true passion.
"We hope that the attendees left looking
at the lessons of the Holocaust in a fresh,
meaningful way and with a mission to
honor victims of the Holocaust by fighting
for social justice today:'
Sponsored by Lori and Alan Zekelman,
the presentation was followed by a dessert
and wine reception.

❑

Hilary Gorosh, Sam and Jennifer Maxbauer, and Sari
Saperstein

Joey and Jackie Yashinsky, Joey's brothers Michael and Sam
Yashinsky, and Sam's fiancée, Alyssa Maiseloff

Event chair Jacob Smith leads a question-and-answer session.

Sisters Erica, Arielle and Melissa Mendelson
with guest speaker Adam Braun

Shabbat With Chabad

The Shul hosts an evening of inspiration and song honoring the Rebbe.

M

ore than 250 people came together July 24 at
The Shul in West Bloomfield for an evening
of inspiration and song in honor of the 21st
yahrtzeit of the Chabad-Lubavitch Rebbe Menachem
Mendel Schneerson.
Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein
shared his personal story and told how the Rebbe
influenced his daily life.
The event provided an opportunity to celebrate the
life and legacy of the Rebbe. Participants watched a
video presentation of personal encounters with the

Guests at The Shul enjoy Shabbat dinner.

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August 13 • 2015

Rebbe, showing his sensitivity to the specific needs of
each person.
Guests were welcomed with a potato martini bar
while children enjoyed the bounce house, food art,
spirited games and delighted the congregation as the
chazzan's helpers.
The community then enjoyed dinner, lively Shabbat
songs, an inspirational insight by Rabbi Kasriel
Shemtov and a discussion on the Rebbe and the impact
of Chabad.

❑

Craig Bauer, Rabbi Levi Shemtov and Lainie Bauer

Rabbi Kasriel Shemtov and Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein