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.

