54 | DECEMBER 1 • 2022
SPOTLIGHT
Temple Israel Executive
Director Jason Plotkin was
recognized by the National
Association for Temple
Administration (NATA) with
“Senior Member” status at
its conference held in early
November in Clearwater,
Florida.
Plotkin is the first Metro
Detroit executive director to
achieve this status.
This designation by the
professional organization
representing executive
directors and temple
administrators across
North America reflects a
combination of Plotkin’s years
in synagogue administration
and completion of synagogue
management course work,
exams in six areas of
study: Human Resources,
Techniques & Tools of
Synagogue Management,
Budgeting & Finance,
Governance, Membership
and Marketing.
Keynote speakers at the
conference included Detroit
native Dr. Alonzo Kelly,
who addressed the nearly
200 attendees on “The Art
of Leading Change” and
“The Art of Asking Better
Questions.” Other topics
included conversation around
being an inclusive synagogue,
maximizing staffing structure
and integrating technology
into the synagogue space.
“These professional
conferences are truly one
of the highlights of the
calendar year for synagogue
administrators,” Plotkin
said. “Not only do we get a
chance to learn from leading
contributors in the nonprofit
space, it also affords executive
directors an opportunity to
get a glimpse into current
trends and best practices
from a wide range of
synagogues.”
In January, Plotkin,
alongside Temple Israel vice
president Andy Bocknek and
Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny, will
be attending the Union for
Reform Judaism-hosted Large
Congregation gathering. The
gathering is made up of teams
from roughly 60 Reform
congregations with over 1,000
families.
A native of Houston, Texas,
Plotkin arrived on the scene
at Temple Israel in early June
following an eight-plus year
run at Congregation Emanu
El in Houston. A former
member of the URJ North
American Board and past
president of the Program &
Engagement Professionals of
Reform Judaism (PEP-RJ),
Plotkin is married to the
former Aliza Herman, and
the couple has a 7-year old
son, Isaac.
Temple Israel
Executive Director
Earns ‘Senior
Member’ Status
from NATA
Jason Plotkin alongside
outgoing NATA President Jack
Feldman of Temple Sinai in
Atlanta
JCRC/AJC Hosts Archbishop
Allen Vigneron
SAM DUBIN JCRC/AJC ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
The Jewish Community Relations Council/AJC met with
Archbishop Allen Vigneron of the Detroit Archdiocese earlier
this month. The intimate lunch meeting covered an array of
shared priorities, including the need to combat antisemitism
and a path forward for immigration reform.
The archbishop expressed his steadfast support for the
Jewish community and used the lunch as a listening session
to understand the root of antisemitism and the practical
implications of what that means for our modern world. He
was also interested in helping Catholics develop a more
meaningful relationship with Israel and shared society proj-
ects in Israel. The luncheon was indeed a conversation that
both parties commit to continuing.
JCRC/AJC
JCRC/AJC Executive Director
Rabbi Asher Lopatin with
Archbishop Allen Vigneron
Have You Adopted a Family Yet?
Be part of Jewish Family Service’s Adopt a Family program and
you can bring light and joy to those served by the organization.
Participation is simple. Shop from an individual or family’s per-
sonal wish list, donate gift cards or make a monetary donation
to the program. However you choose to participate, you will be
brightening the holidays for so many. Thanks to the generosity of
our community, 830 people were able to enjoy a happy holiday
last year.
Jewish Family Service is once again partnering with Toyology.
Simply mention JFS when shopping at any of their locations
during the holidays and 20% of your purchases will benefit
the Adopt a Family program. Check out the store’s selection at
ToyologyToys.com. For more information about Adopt a Family,
visit JFS Detroit.org.
JFS
A photo from a
prior year’s Adopt
a Family drive.