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This Is How Detroit Does
Birthright
BECKY HURVITZ SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
Four Birthright
alumni with one
message: Go!
Ben Kruman at the Western Wall
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to Israel on a Detroit Community trip is so special.
EXTGen Detroit set out on a Detroit
Community Birthright trip on
JAKE SAFRAN, 26
Dec. 26, one of more than 200 trips
Originally from Metro Detroit. Currently living
from around the world that traveled to
in Boulder, Colo. Event Specialist, A Spice of Life
Israel this winter, marking the completion
Catering
of Birthright’s 17th year. On the trip were
Why did you chose to go on the NEXTGen
41 Americans and eight Israeli participants
Detroit Community trip?
(all from Detroit’s Partnership Region in the
I originally was introduced to the NEXTGen
Central Galilee) who joined the ranks of the
Detroit community by my brother, Hy Safran, who
more than 500,000 Birthright alumni that
works for the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
have experienced Israel on one of these free,
Detroit. I’ve always felt a strong connection to my
10-day adventures.
hometown and will always identify as a Detroiter,
When Birthright began in 1999, the goal
even now residing in Colorado for nearly 10 years.
was simple: “to provide an opportunity in
I know what exceptional contributions and great
the hope that participants come to feel that
strides the Detroit community has made and what
their time in Israel is just the beginning of a
it’s currently doing for Israel. I thought it was most
much longer and lifelong journey.”
appropriate for me to get to Israel through this
Almost 20 years later, the goal remains the
Detroit-based organization.
same with the addition of targeted Birthright
What did you take home with you from this
experiences that focus on everything
trip?
from art or cuisine to trips for the LGBTQ
ABOVE: Hannah Weiss (left) and her sister Miriam
Wow, it’s tough to put into words. The trip was
community or specific college campuses.
Weiss on top of Masada.
life-changing. I have gained 50 new brothers and
Birthright’s new niche offerings connect par- TOP: Jake Safran with Jerusalem as a backdrop.
sisters, nine of whom are my new and forever
ticipants not only to the land of Israel and
Israeli mishpachah. I was able to reconnect with
their Jewish identity, but also create a bridge
between how people identify at home and how they identify with their my Jewish identity and, in a sense, find myself and feel some deeper
meaning and connection to Israel.
global Jewish family.
I came home knowing two things for sure: 1) I want to get back to
Detroit Community trips are designed to do just that — bring
together young Jewish adults from Detroit and the Partnership Region Israel. 2) I want to get better connected to my local Jewish community,
to meet more Jews near me. I also want to give back and do more as a
in Israel and include extra-special experiences that don’t come stan-
Jewish community member, whether that be here in Colorado and/or
dard on most Birthright trips.
We asked a few of the most recent participants to explain why going with the community back home in Metro Detroit.
continued on page 22
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May 25 • 2017
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