JULY 7 • 2022 | 29

N

EXTGen Detroit Pride 
celebrated Pride Month by 
partnering with local orga-
nizations The Well, Congregation 
Shaarey Zedek Village and the 
Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue 
for a special Pride Shabbat event. 
They kicked off the celebrations 
at Ferndale Pride on Saturday, 
June 4, with a table at the parade 
showing support for diverse Jewish 
and queer identities. Following 
the parade on June 10, NEXTGen 
Detroit Pride hosted Pride 
Shabbat services at Affirmations in 
Ferndale.
Affirmations is a nonprofit 
LQBTQ+ community center where 
people of all sexual orientations, 
gender identities, expressions and 
cultures can find support, accep-
tance and feel safe. 
“I was so excited that the com-
munity could come together to 

host a Pride Shabbat this month. 
Affirmations is an amazing part-
ner and a lovely place to host the 
event,” said Abby Rubin, executive 
vice president of the NEXTGen 
Board.
“I’m glad more people can learn 
about the services they provide. We 
had a great turn-out thanks to the 
Well, CSZ and IADS.”
Rabbi Jeff Stombaugh of The 
Well also enjoyed the service, add-
ing that the prayers were incredibly 
powerful and beautifully shared.
“Celebrating Pride through 
music, joy, ancient words and with 
relevant change makers was moti-
vating. I look forward to the next 
time we get to celebrate Shabbat 
together like that,” he said. 
Rubin hopes NEXTGen Pride 
can host more events where those 
who are LGBTQ+ and allies feel 
welcome. 

NEXTGen Detroit celebrates Pride Month.
Pride Shabbat 

RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR

NEXT DOR
VOICE OF THE NEW 
JEWISH GENERATION

Jennifer Maxbauer, NEXTGen Director Tomer Moked, Sam Dubin and Abby Rubin 
represent NEXTGen Detroit Pride at the Ferndale Pride parade.

Tomer Moked, Lauren Soifer and Noah Arbit at Ferndale 
Pride. 

Rachel Wasserman, Abby Rubin and Erica Meyers enjoy 
Pride Shabbat at Affirmations in Ferndale. 

Noah Arbit speaks at Pride Shabbat.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF NEXTGEN DETROIT

