24 | NOVEMBER 21 • 2019 

Jews in the D

Young Jews
Making Moves: 
Emilie Weingarden

Farmington Hills native continues her 
advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community 
through her passion for politics.

E

milie Weingarden, 17, 
has her sights set on 
learning about politics 
and developing inclusivity in 
the Jewish community.
Weingarden, a 
junior at Frankel 
Jewish Academy 
(FJA), became 
interested in poli-
tics while attend-
ing the American 
Israel Public 
Affairs Committee 
(AIPAC) Policy 
Conference in 
Washington, D.C., 
last year with other students 
from FJA.
The goal of AIPAC is to 
improve relations between the 
United States and Israel while 
maintaining bipartisanship.
Weingarden’
s participation 
with AIPAC continued this 
year when she was one of 
seven high school students 
selected to go to AIPAC’
s 
Progressive Student Retreat 
in Washington, D.C., in early 
October.
“We were involved in con-
versations about the relation-
ship between the United States 
and Israel and the issues that 
Israel is facing,
” Weingarden 
said. “We heard from a lot 
of speakers, including allies 
of AIPAC and even some 
Israelis. There was even one 
Palestinian woman who previ-
ously lived in the West Bank.
”
Attending both AIPAC 
events has elevated 
Weingarden’
s leadership 
experience, helping her to 
strengthen an organization 

she co-founded with her 
friend Jack Harris called 
Everyone for Equality.
Weingarden and Harris 
started the organization at FJA 
last year. Everyone 
for Equality is a 
LGBTQ+ alliance 
group that aims to 
create a safe environ-
ment for those in the 
community.
“The retreat 
this year focused 
a lot on LGBTQ+ 
communities in both 
America and Israel,
” 
Weingarden said. “I was able 
to get contact information 
from speakers in the LGBTQ+ 
communities from both here 
and in Israel and learn how 
we can form a more inclusive 
environment at FJA.
“Our goal is to make 
everyone feel equal and 
safe. I’
m thankful I had the 
opportunity to attend the 
AIPAC Progressive Student 
Retreat so I could grow 
my knowledge and apply it 
effectively.
”
In addition to serving as 
the co-president of Everyone 
for Equality, Weingarden also 
sits on the UMatter board 
as an ambassador. UMatter 
is an organization within 
Friendship Circle that encour-
ages teens to end the stigma 
surrounding mental health 
challenges.
Weingarden resides in 
Farmington Hills with her 
parents, Meredith and Adam, 
and attends B’
nai Israel 
Synagogue. 

CORRIE COLF STAFF WRITER

CORRIE COLF

Emilie 
Weingarden

Cong 

Sharrey 

Zedek

THREE DATES, THREE EXPERIENCES!

Make Your Reservations for Shabbat Dinner, the Adult Concert 

and the Family Concert: www.shaareyzedek.org or 248.357.5544.

AT

06 DEC

FRIDAY

2019

5:45 p.m. T.G.I.S. (THANK GOD IT’S SHABBAT)
Minchah, Our Joyful, Musical Kabbalat Shabbat Service and
Ma’ariv.

7:15 p.m. WINTERFEST SHABBAT DINNER
Immediately following T.G.I.S., hosted by the Empty Nesters. 
Cost: $18.00 per person ages 13 and older, 

$9.00 per child ages 5-12. No charge for children ages 0-4.
Following dinner: Z’mirot and Q&A with the Maccabeats.
Open to the Community. Dinner Reservations are Required.

Part of the 2019-2020 Irving and Beverly Laker Concert Series at CSZ

7:30 p.m. ADULT CONCERT

Open to the Community - Reservations are Required.
Preferred Seating: $36.00 per person.
General Admission: No charge.
07 DEC

SATURDAY

2019

11:00 a.m. FAMILY CONCERT
General Admission for all ages: No charge. 
Open to the Community. Reservations are Required.
08 DEC

SUNDAY

2019