18 September 5 • 2019 jn A t 17, Berkley High School student Lauren Schostak, daughter of Mark and Lillian Schostak, is not your typical senior. Inspired by her family, Schostak makes her community presence known as a volunteer and young entrepreneur. At school, Schostak is involved with two organizations: Sources of Strength and Peer to Peer. “Sources of Strength is a national organization that extends into different schools across the U.S., ” Schostak says. “It is an opportunity to provide a pos- itive and safe environment in schools for students. “Peer to Peer is a support group for students with disabilities, ” Schostak says. “If they don’ t have people to sit with at lunch, there are designated lunch days where we do activities with them, and it allows for all students involved to meet new people. ” Outside of school, Schostak contin- ues her outreach in the Metro Detroit community, serving as co-president of the Teen Volunteer Corps offered through Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills. On top of it all, Schostak owns her own business, Ba-Gals, with her friend Julie Krasnick. “Every Sunday morning, we deliver bagels from New York Bagel in Ferndale to neighborhoods in Huntington Woods and Berkley, ” Schostak says. “We text our customers every Friday and get their orders so we can deliver their bagels on Sunday mornings throughout the school year. ” Not only is Schostak involved in these four organizations, but she recently participated in the 2019 Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies writing competition at Wayne State University. Her essay, “ A Once Blinded Jewish Woman, ” won first place in the nonfic- tion category. In it, she shares the iden- tity struggle she endured from learning about the anti-Semitic remarks orga- nizers for the Women’ s March were accused of making. “I just really struggled to under- stand that. The Women’ s March is a movement that promotes welcoming everyone regardless of their race, gen- der identity, ethnicity or religion. All of the things I read were just very contra- dictory to what they stood for, and it made me very upset. ” Schostak considers herself an avid writer, but this was her first time sub- mitting to a writing competition. “I didn’ t have any expectations going into this, but I was very excited and happy that this piece, since it has a lot of emotion embedded into it and shows my identity, won because it gives others an opportunity to read and learn something from it. ” ■ FAVORITES: Favorite Food: Sushi Favorite Color: Orange Favorite Movie: Wonder Favorite TV show or Netflix series: Chicago Med or Grey’ s Anatomy Biggest Fan/Supporter: My family Somewhere you want to visit and why: Australia because everyone seems so friendly there and it looks like such a cool and different place to see. Future Goals: I would like to pursue a pre-med track in college but it’ s not for sure yet! CORRIE COLF STAFF WRITER Young Jews Making Moves Lauren Schostak engages in causes she believes in while running her own bagel delivery business. jews d in the So much fun you’ll forget you’re earning service hours. Volunteer opportunities for b’nai mitzvah students and teen leaders. Because We Care is a program of Jewish Family Service that offers fun and fulfilling volunteer opportunities for b’ nai mitzvah students. They can join us for one or more of our Monthly Mitzvot. October 20 Sukkot Family Festival The Shul November 10 Fall Fix Up Different community sites December 8 Hanukkah Helpers Jewish Family Service January 19 The Great Challah Bake Temple Israel February 2 Chicken Soup for the Soul of Detroit Adat Shalom Synagogue March 8 Soothing Sunday Jewish Family Service NEW THIS YEAR! We are offering high school juniors and seniors a fellowiship opportunity. Participants in the Jewish Values in Action Teen Leadership program will help plan this year’ s Because Care programs and gain leadership skills. Stipend will be provided. For more information, to register, or apply for the fellowship, visit jfsdetroit.org/becausewecare or contact Erin Lederman at 248.880.3787 or elederman@jfsdetroit.org.