>> ... Next Generation ...

mid galleries of art inspired by
contemporary culture, about 80
young Jewish professionals mixed
and mingled with influential
business leaders on Sept. 9 at Cafe 78.
Kicking off the second year of NEXTWork
gatherings, it was the sixth in a continuing series
of sold-out events held at hot spots around town,
like Shinola, dPOP! and Punch Bowl Social.
The acclaimed Cafe 78 eatery, located inside
the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
(MOCAD), offered a unique setting for lively
conversation, good music and great refreshments.
Like previous events, nearly 20 all-star business
leaders were on hand to shmooze, network and
inspire the young professionals.
Described by participants as "the best
networking events ever held in our area," the
events are part of a unique partnership between
JVS and the Jewish Federation's NEXTGen

Business Hub. The goal of the partnership is to
provide young Jewish professionals, ages 28
to 40, with meaningful resources, leadership,
expertise and networking to help them build their
careers and their lives in the Detroit area.
"The ultimate goal is to keep Michigan's
young Jewish professionals here in Southeastern
Michigan and to bring others who have left the
area back to the 'D'," says Lauren Kepes, JVS
jobs specialist for NEXTGen. "In addition to
networking events, NEXTWork provides financial
education."
The Sept. 9 gathering was sponsored by
the Hadas and Dennis Bernard NEXTWork
Endowment Fund; Mindi Fynke and EHIM; and
MOCAD and Cafe 78. The cafe is part of the
Wright & Company family of bars and restaurants
and features seasonal food specialties curated
by James Beard Award-nominated chef Marc
Djozlija. ❑

Photos by Jerry Zo lynsky

Building community for
young Jewish professionals.

Benji Rosenzweig of West Bloomfield, Michael Simmons of

Bloomfield Hills, Leah Rosenbaum of Southfield and Fran Victor
of White Lake

■Woix

Zachary Borovik of Birmingham, Amy
Newman of Bloomfield Hills and Liz
Newman of Ferndale

Co-chairs Jared
Goldman of
Royal Oak and
Chad Silver of
Detroit address
the audience.

Gary Ran, Lauren Kepes and Julie
Marx, all of Bloomfield Hills

ti

Anna Podvalkova of Ferndale and Craig

Isser of Detroit

Alyah Al-Azem of West Bloomfield and
Rabbi Leiby Burnham of Oak Park

56

September 24 • 2015

Rachel Fine of Detroit, Alyah Al-Azem of West Bloomfield, and
Ryan Israel and Mara Israel, both of Farmington Hills.

ira

1* -
Natalia Emelianov of White Lake and Luba
Yoffee of Troy

Samantha Tokowitz of West Bloomfield and
Hallie Risenberg of Bloomfield Hills

Joel Jacob
of West
Bloomfield and
Lee Hurwitz
of Huntington

Woods

