P

artners Detroit Jewish Young 
Professionals 
hosted a DIY 
Havdalah experience, a 
night filled with spices, 
candles and action. 
The organization had a 
sold-out event on Feb. 
26 at its Platform 18 
space in Royal Oak. 
Erin Stiebel, an edu-
cator with the organi-
zation, says its mission 
is to create a space 
where Jewish young 
adults at any level can 
come and learn. 
“We try to be a 
source of education for 
anybody who is interested in learning 
— where people can come together 
with any questions wherever they are 
at their level of Judaism. I think that 
oftentimes tradition can feel antiquat-
ed, and when you have a chance to 
bring it to life and realize how easily 
accessible it is, it’s extremely power-
ful.” 
Attendees received their own little 
Havdalah kit with candles, spices and 
a card with the Havdalah service on it 
to take home. 

Meredith Kay, a board member 
with Partners Detroit 
Jewish Young and 
Professionals, came 
up with the idea for 
the event. “I truly just 
wanted an evening 
where people could 
get together and cre-
ate, eat, drink, light 
candles, sing and expe-
rience the magical ser-
vice of Havdalah. The 
feeling of togetherness, 
this is exactly what was 
felt at the event,” Kay 
said. 
Attendee Rachel 
Devries says even 
though she’s had many other mean-
ingful Havdalah services, she’s never 
experienced anything like this. 
“I have never had the opportunity 
to make my very own Havdalah kit! 
Partners Detroit young adult program-
ming is innovative and welcoming. I 
especially love the very cool space they 
have created right in downtown Royal 
Oak to host their events,” she said. 
To see all the events Partners Detroit 
Jewish Young Professionals has coming 
up, head to partnersdetroit.org. 

TOP: Scott Wasserman, Rachel Devries, Abby 
Wolfson and Matt Yaari. MIDDLE: Anna Frankel, 
Michael Krivichkin, Rachel Lanis and Matthew 
Hamil. BOTTOM: Abby Rubin, Alya Al-Azem and 
Jordyn Gudeman.

Partners Detroit Jewish Young Professionals 
hosts DIY Havdalah event. 

Spice! Candles! Action! 

RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR 

38 | MARCH 24 • 2022 

NEXT DOR
VOICE OF THE NEW 
JEWISH GENERATION

TOP: Group photo during service. 
ABOVE: Havdalah kit made by 
Shelby Miller.

COURTESY OF PARTNERS DETROIT

