 APRIL 9 • 2020 | 23

| faces&places
Jews in the D

On Sunday, March 7, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan 
Detroit’
s young adult division, NEXTGen Detroit, held its ninth 
annual EPIC event at the State Savings Bank in Detroit. EPIC is 
NEXTGen Detroit’
s premier annual fundraiser, brought to the com-
munity by Sue and Alan J. Kaufman and family. The event attracted 
more than 400 young adults, who collectively raised over $300,000 
to support the Jewish Federation’
s 2020 Annual Campaign. 
Event co-chairs Adam Bleznak, Marc Crane, Samantha Foon and 
Nicole Hertzberg welcomed guests to their seats after the cocktail 
reception and introduced a short film featuring members of the 
NEXTGen Detroit community in conversation with members of 
the senior community, discussing what it was and is like to be a 
young adult in Jewish Detroit. Gary Torgow, Federation’
s 2020 
campaign chair, stopped by the event to share some inspiring words 
with this next generation of Jewish philanthropists. NEXTGen 
Detroit President Adam Blanck then introduced the headlining act, 
writer, actor and stand-up comedian Moshe Kasher, who had the 
crowd in hysterics during his hour-long set. 

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3

2

5
4

1. Stand-up comedian Moshe Kasher entertains the crowd. 2. Event co-chairs 
Marc Crane, Samantha Foon, Nicole Hertzberg and Adam Bleznak. 3. Alan and Sue 
Kaufman and Linda and Dr. Alan Spiglelman. 4. More than 400 people attended 
NEXTGen Detroit’
s annual fundraiser. 
5. Judy Lansky, Jennie Levy, Steve Ciner, 
Shimon Levy and Rabbi Noam Gross.

PHOTOS BY JUSTIN MUNTER

