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An EPIC
Unlike
Any Other

Save the date for March 4
at the Filmore Detroit.

BECKY HURVITZ SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

F

JB Smoove

ederation’s NEXTGen
Detroit is rolling out the
red carpet at the Fillmore
Detroit March 4 for its premiere
annual fundraiser, EPIC, brought
to the community by Sue & Alan
J. Kaufman and family.
This year, the standup com-
edy of Curb Your Enthusiasm’s JB
Smoove will be bookended by
a fabulous pre-glow and after-
party — all sprinkled with new
EPIC surprises for 2017.
“We are so excited to have EPIC
at this historic Detroit landmark,”
said Abi Liepshutz, EPIC 2017
co-chair. “We want people to have
fun as well as know how impor-
tant their support is to the Jewish
community.”
Over the last five years, EPIC
events have raised $1 million
for the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit’s Annual
Campaign, thanks to the young
adults of the Detroit Jewish com-
munity. Ranging in age from 21
to 45, they are carrying on a tra-
dition of giving that ensures the
needs of the Jewish people are

taken care of in Detroit, in Israel
and around the world.
“EPIC welcomes about 100
new young adult donors to the
Annual Campaign every year and
has been instrumental in growing
NEXTGen Detroit’s donor base by
100 percent since 2012,” said Matt
Ran, NEXTGen Detroit president.
“But it’s certainly not just the
amount of donors that makes
this so special; it’s the commit-
ment behind their gifts. Last year
at EPIC, we saw that attendees’
donations increased an average of
40 percent from the year before.”
This year, 550 people are
expected to come and raise about
$215,000.
“Our family is excited to once
again sponsor NEXTGen Detroit’s
EPIC. As the presenting sponsor
for the past five years, we have
seen the tremendous reach and
impact this event has had on the
NEXTGen Detroit community
and its emerging leaders,” said
Alan J. Kaufman.
“Due to the continued suc-
cess of EPIC, we have proudly

increased our support of this very
important program,” he added.
This year, thanks to the gen-
erosity of the Kaufman family, all
new or increased donations will
be matched dollar-for-dollar.
“EPIC began with the goal of
raising money for the community
while also serving as a fun night
out to thank our supporters. It
has since blossomed into the
premiere fundraising event of the
year for those of us in our 20s, 30s
and 40s,” said Scott Mitnick, EPIC
2017 co-chair.
“EPIC is replicated around the
country in various cities with
much success,” he added, “and as
national leaders in young adult
engagement, we feel the need to
raise the bar each year.”
JB Smoove, best known for his
role as Leon on HBO’s Curb Your
Enthusiasm, is this year’s head-
liner. Smoove is also the recipient
of a Writers Guild award, which
he earned for his work writing
for SNL. He has appeared in fea-
ture films including Date Night,
Hall Pass, We Bought a Zoo, The

Dictator and The Sitter; and he
has voiced characters in Ice Age 4
and Smurfs 2.
“We know everyone is in for
a great time and a lot of laughs,”
said Michael Rubyan, EPIC 2017
co-chair.
The event kicks off at 8 p.m.
with a pre-glow reception span-
ning the Fillmore’s ornate two-
story lobby. Guests will be treated
to an open bar, desserts and
live entertainment. Ben Gurion
Society donors also are invited
backstage to an exclusive meet-
and-greet with JB Smoove. Small
bites and complimentary drinks
will be served during the perfor-
mance, and everyone is invited
to stick around for an after-party
with a DJ and late-night snacks.
Registration for EPIC is open
until Feb. 27 at jewishdetroit.org/
EPIC. Registration is $60 before
Feb. 20 and $75 after. This is a 21+
event, and dietary laws will be
observed. •

This story first appeared on Federation’s
myjewishdetroit.org.

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