16 March 7 • 2019
jn

Seeking Terrific Teens!
Y

oung people can be 
an underestimated 
bunch. But we 
think many of them are 
doing great things and 
making a difference in 
our community and in 
the lives of others. We bet 
you know some, too, and 
have already sung their praises to 
those you know.
Now is the time to shine the 
public spotlight on young people 
in our community. The JN, the 
Jewish Community Center and 
the Youth Professionals Network 
have created Rising Stars: Teens 
Making a Difference, a showcase 
that will highlight 18 remarkable 
Jewish pre-teens and teens in the 
Metro Detroit area. Those selected 
by a panel of local judges will be 
featured in an issue of the JN and 
also be recognized on the JN, JCC 
and JFamily social media pages.
Nominees must live in Michigan, 
identify as Jewish and be a student 
in grades 6-12; they can be self-
nominated or may be nominated by 
others today through March 30.
Nominees should be recognized 
for impact, contribution and/or 
achievement in areas including (but 
not limited) to: 
• Tikkun olam, volunteerism, 
social action, advocacy, 
philanthropy
• Academics/education
• Athletics
• Music & arts
• Business & entrepreneurship
• Overcoming obstacles and 
challenges
• Jewish growth and learning
• Leadership
“The pages of the JN are 

designed to reflect life in Jewish 
Detroit, and we often highlight 
young people in our community,” 
said Keri Guten Cohen, story 
development editor. “For more 
than a year, we have been 
highlighting teen mental health 
issues — heavy topics including 
depression, bullying, gender issues, 
drugs, suicide and more. Brave 
teens have stepped up to discuss 
their battles with these issues and 
have helped readers understand 
our community is not immune. 
“We’
ve also written about young 
people involved in entrepreneurial 
pursuits, academics, Israel advocacy, 
sports, the arts, volunteering efforts 
and much more. We are pleased that 
in April, we will celebrate a group of 
18 — chai (meaning 18 and life) — 
fabulous young people as Rising Stars.
” 
 
Katie Vieder, director of teen 
engagement for JFamily at the 
JCC, adds, “We are so lucky 
to have a vibrant, passionate 
Jewish teen population in Metro 
Detroit, and our teens are doing 
wonderful things — pursuits worth 
celebrating. Through Rising Stars, 
we are excited to share how special 
teens are in Metro Detroit.” 
To nominate yourself or a teen 
you know, go to thejewishnews.com 
and click on the Rising Stars button 
or go to jccdet.org/RisingStars. The 
deadline is March 30. ■

jews d
in 
the

The Jewish Voice
The Michigan Board of Cantors presents “The Jewish Voice,” a singing 
competition of Jewish music in partnership with the Berman Center for 
the Performing Arts at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at the Berman. Two 
groups of students, those in grades 9-12 and those in grades 6-8, will be 
competing for cash prizes. The event is free and open to the public.

“Keri is the heart of the 
Jewish News. She sincerely 
loves Detroit’
s Jewish 
community and works every 
day to bring people the 
stories she knows they’
ll care 
about.”
— Jackie Headapohl

“Skilled, knowledgeable and 
nurturing, Keri continues 
to admirably serve our 
community, our company and 
our profession. She magnifies 
our joys and comforts us in our 
sorrows, all while steadfastly 
exhibiting fairness and 
goodness — and impeccable 
news judgement. The Jewish 
News Foundation’
s digital 
archive contains thousands of 
bylined stories. Though most 
don’
t carry her name, Keri’
s 
capable behind-the-scenes 
editing and coaching skills 
can be found in virtually all 
of them. Thanks, and happy 

anniversary!”
 — Arthur Horwitz

Keri Guten-Cohen

20th

Anniversary

“Keri was my first editor at a 
professional publication back 
when I interned at the JN in high 
school. She taught me important 
journalistic skills from AP style to 
finding sources, and I couldn’
t 
have asked for a better mentor 
early on in my career. A decade 
later, It’
s truly an honor to work 
in the same newsroom again. 
The Jewish community is lucky 
to have Keri at the helm of news 
coverage. Happy 20th, Keri!”
— Stephanie Steinberg

20 Years of Bringing 
News, Community 
& Family to our
JN Readers!

“In every organization there 
is a person that you feel is 
the living representation of 
what you do and Keri is just 
that, her huge smile, her 
love of her family and the 
community is always present 
and that speaks to what we 
do each and every day at the 
JN, Happy anniversary!”
— Kevin Browett

Keri with her 
grandaughter 
Lily