24 | OCTOBER 20 • 2022
C
aleb Starr, 16, of Southfield
was nominated by Frankel
Jewish Academy for his weekly
involvement volunteering throughout
the Metro Detroit Jewish community.
“Caleb Starr, a sophomore at FJA, was
elected by peers to be class president, is
enrolled in five honors courses and is a
three-sport athlete — soccer, basketball
and baseball,” said Rabbinic Advisor
Rabbi Elliot Pachter.
“Caleb’s community service is
comprised of a wide variety of projects,
including helping senior citizens with
meals and lawn care, and volunteering
at his synagogue. Caleb has also long
spent his summers at Camp Ramah,” he
added.
Caleb volunteers at Congregation
Shaarey Zedek in Southfield in a sixth-
grade class as a Madrich, a youth
counselor or supervisor, every Sunday.
“I love teaching kids about Judaism.
I think it’s interesting. And because I’ve
learned so much, it’s great to be able to
give back the information,” Caleb said.
“My parents have given me the skills to
read Torah and Haftorah, and so I think
it’s my obligation to give back into the
community.”
Caleb’s parents, Rabbi Aaron Starr of
Shaarey Zedek and Rebecca Starr, say
they are proud of him for stepping up
and being a leader in every community
in which he finds himself.
“He strives to help and gives his
own time, energy, skills and wisdom,”
Rebecca said. “From reading Torah
and teaching religious school at
Congregation Shaarey Zedek, serving
on student government and captaining
sports teams at Frankel Jewish Academy,
and volunteering to help special needs
campers at Camp Ramah in Canada, he
is showing that he understands the value
of giving back to the Jewish community
and that committed leadership is crucial
to a vibrant Jewish future.”
Caleb says he hopes to encourage
others to give back because everyone is
blessed with knowledge to share.
“Once you understand that, I think
people realize there’s so much to give
back and that the community needs
help wherever they can get it. And
anything you can do to be a part of that
is just amazing,” Caleb said.
Caleb says he isn’t sure what his
future holds after graduation but says
he plans to continue giving back and
volunteering whenever he can.
If you would like to nominate someone to be the next
volunteer of the week, send a nomination with a short
paragraph telling us why to rsweet@thejewishnews.
com.
Frankel Jewish Academy sophomore shares his
knowledge of Judaism with fellow students.
Giving Back by
Sharing Knowledge
RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR
OUR COMMUNITY
VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK
LEFT: The Starr
family: Rabbi Aaron,
Caleb, Rebecca and
Ayal.
BELOW: Caleb Starr.