DECEMBER 2 • 2021 | 21

JDC’S PARTNERSHIP WITH THE UAE
“JDC Entwine began our relationship 
with the Jewish community of the UAE 
in 2019 through Detroit native Jessica 
Katz, the 2019 Entwine Ralph I. Goldman 
(RIG) Fellow, who was deployed to 
serve in Dubai. Since then, our work in 
the UAE has blossomed into a full-time 
Jewish Service Corps placement and now 
Entwine’s first week-long Insider Trip,” said Jenette 
Axelrod, JDC Entwine senior operations manager.
“I am proud that these are truly opportunities for 
mutual learning and collaboration between Entwine 
participants and the local community, forging ties 
between Jews globally and reinforcing our responsi-
bility to one another.” 
Given COVID-19 travel restrictions and the 
relatively low rates of infection, the UAE was cho-

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send the leadership of NEXTGen Detroit, current and former board members, 
leaders who are known and committed to the community, and then bring back 
those stories, insights and lessons, was a mission we wanted to help make possi-
ble.” 
According to Moked, JDC is a valued agency doing humanitarian work around 
the world in both Jewish and non-sectarian settings. Entwine organizes trips to 
communities that JDC serves to engage young professionals who see global Jewish 
responsibility as part of their identity. 
“NEXTGen Detroit is thrilled with the 
partnership, and we hope to grow it in the 
future in ways that continue to advance 
our local community,” Moked said.

sen for Entwine’s first Insider Trip since the start 
of the pandemic. The trip was run in partnership 
with NEXTGen Detroit, the William Davidson 
Foundation and Jewish Twin Cities YALA — loca-
tions where grassroots Jewish life is thriving. JDC 
and the Detroit Jewish community (including 

4

5

4: Roman Golshteyn, Shimon Gal Levy, 
Brian Satovsky, Benjamin Blumenstein, 
Jessica Katz, Warren Frenkel, Abby 
Rubin and Adam Finkel, all of Michigan

5: Benjamin Blumenstein of Detroit 
listens to Ahmed Obaid Al Mansoori, 
founder of the Crossroads of 
Civilizations Museum, which includes 
several Judaic and Israeli artifacts.