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Detroit Impact

Large local cohort attends the 2015
Federations' General Assembly.

WRAP YOUR HEAD

The Rosh Chodesh group from the
Downtown Synagogue recently learned
about head coverings from differ-
ent cultures from Zarinah El-Amin
Naeem, daughter of Imam Abdullah
El-Amin of the Muslim Center of
Detroit. Naeem spoke about the fash-
ion, tradition and culture of head
wrapping, and demonstrated simple
yet charming and flattering wraps
one could do at home with fabrics on
hand. The women laughed and posed
for pictures as they practiced head
wraps on their friends.
Head coverings are traditional
among women in many religions:

Standing: Zarinah El-Amin, Barbara

Shapiro, Susan Cohen, Anita Belle,

Janet Meir, Sydney Skully and Sylvie

Salei; seated: Sharon Curran, Liz

Kannon and Thelma Belle

Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Hindu,
Mennonite, Amish, Sikh, Buddhist,
Eastern Orthodox and Druze. Ever
wonder why? Check out this blog at
bit.ly/1P5uzNM. *

Several Detroiters come together for a group picture before the GA's opening

plenary speakers.

Adam Finkel I Contributing Writer

n Nov. 8-10, Jewish
Federations of North America
hosted its annual leadership
experience, the General Assembly (GA),
for Federation volunteer leaders and
professionals, and those engaged in the
business of Jewish philanthropy.
Attending the Washington, D.C., event
were Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu, Chairman of the Israeli
Labor Party Isaac Herzog, Canadian
Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Abella
and award-winning actress Debra
Messing. Together, 3,000 changemakers
shared best practices, while showcasing
and celebrating the extraordinary work
of the Jewish world.
"No Risk, No Reward: Remaking
Detroit's Young Adult Division" was a
standing-room-only session that fea-

tured local Federation representatives:
CEO Scott Kaufman, Senior Director
of Community Development Miryam
Rosenzweig and Federation Treasurer
Robb Lippitt.
At the FEDovation component, Ellen
Maiseloff, director, Detroit Federation's
Opening the Doors Special Needs
Education Program, spoke about how
inclusive education can engage and
empower.
More than 30 Detroiters participated,
plus several dozen attendees from uni-
versity Hillel organizations within the
state. Detroiters included new World
ORT Chair Dr. Conrad Giles; Sally and
Dr. Richard Krugel, president of the
Jewish Community Relations Council of
Metropolitan Detroit; William Davidson
Foundation Trustee Jon Aaron; and
Hayley Sakwa, a resident of Detroit's new
Moishe House. *

Chanukah helpers

painted dreidels,

made cards and

candles.

BECAUSE THEY CARE

During the afternoon on the first
night of Chanukah, Dec. 6, about 20
b'nai mitzvah students had fun being
"Chanukah Helpers" as part of Jewish
Family Service's Because We Care ini-
tiative, which provides b'nai mitzvah
students with a variety of opportuni-
ties to give back to the community.

The kids made beeswax candles,
created greeting cards and painted
dreidels, all of which were used as
gifts for those served by JFS' Adopt
a Family program, ensuring a bright
holiday for all. For future Because We
Care events, visit www.jfsdetroit.org/
becausewecare. *

INTERFAITH COUPLES

Chanukah was very bright, but the
apparel — not so much — as The Well
hosted an "ugly sweater" Chanukah cel-
ebration Dec. 9 in Detroit, designed for
young professional interfaith couples,
married or dating. The event was
co-hosted by Rabbi Dan Horwitz and

Jonathan H. Schwartz, and the rabbi
provided the historical, cultural and
religious perspective on the holiday.
For information on upcoming inter-
faith couple events, contact Rabbi Dan at
dan@meetyouatthewell.org , or Jonathan
at JSchwartz@seyburn.com . *

Amy Newman and Rachel Robinson, both of the Stefanie Tuzman, new director

Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, rally of NEXTGen Detroit, offers
pointers on Jewish engagement
the Detroit cohort before the plenary speakers.

and advocacy to Hillel students.

50 December 24 2015

Brett Mellin, Stephanie Kamykowski, Anthony Mosko, Ellie Mosko,

Jonathan H. Schwartz, Stacy Trosell, Ian L. Gross, Erin Savage, Tiffane Post,

Marko Stakic