6 | DECEMBER 8 • 2022 

1942 - 2022

Covering and Connecting 
Jewish Detroit Every Week

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DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 
FOUNDATION
go to the website
www.djnfoundation.org

The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275-520) 

is published every Thursday at 

32255 Northwestern Highway, #205, 

Farmington Hills, Michigan. Periodical 

postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and 

additional mailing offices. 

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Detroit Jewish News, 

32255 Northwestern Highway, #205, 

Farmington Hills, Michigan 48334

MISSION STATEMENT The Detroit Jewish News will be of service to the Jewish community. The Detroit Jewish 
News will inform and educate the Jewish and general community to preserve, protect and sustain the Jewish 
people of greater Detroit and beyond, and the State of Israel.

VISION STATEMENT The Detroit Jewish News will operate to appeal to the broadest segments of the greater 
Detroit Jewish community, reflecting the diverse views and interests of the Jewish community while advancing the 
morale and spirit of the community and advocating Jewish unity, identity and continuity.

DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
32255 Northwestern Hwy. Suite 205,
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
248-354-6060
thejewishnews.com

 
 
Publisher
The Detroit Jewish 
News Foundation

| Board of Directors:
 Chair: Gary Torgow
 Vice President: David Kramer 
 Secretary: Robin Axelrod
 Treasurer: Max Berlin
 Board members: Larry Jackier, 
 Jeffrey Schlussel, Mark Zausmer
 
 
 Senior Advisor to the Board: 
 Mark Davidoff
 Alene and Graham Landau Archivist Chair: 
 Mike Smith
 Founding President & Publisher Emeritus: 
 Arthur Horwitz
 Founding Publisher 
 Philip Slomovitz, of blessed memory

 
 
 
 

 Editorial 
 Director of Editorial: 
 Jackie Headapohl
jheadapohl@thejewishnews.com

 Associate Editor:
 Rachel Sweet
 rsweet@thejewishnews.com
Contributing Editors: 
David Sachs, Keri Guten Cohen
Staff Reporter: 
Danny Schwartz 
dschwartz@thejewishnews.com
Editorial Assistant: 
Sy Manello
smanello@thejewishnews.com 
Digital Manager:
Elizabeth King 
eking@thejewishnews.com 

Contributing Writers:
Nate Bloom, Rochel Burstyn, Suzanne 
Chessler, Annabel Cohen, Shari S. 
Cohen, Shelli Liebman Dorfman, Louis 
Finkelman, Stacy Gittleman, Esther 
Allweiss Ingber, Barbara Lewis, Jennifer 
Lovy, Rabbi Jason Miller, Alan Muskovitz, 

Robin Schwartz, Mike Smith, Steve Stein, 
Julie Smith Yolles, Ashley Zlatopolsky 
 
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Director of Advertising: Keith Farber
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Senior Account Executive: 
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| Business Office
 Director of Operations: Amy Gill
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PURELY COMMENTARY

student’s corner

To Thrive as a Jewish Teen
A

s a Jewish teen in 
2022, I have always 
had the blessing of 
being able to surround myself 
with members of the Jewish 
community. 
I have always 
attended private 
Jewish day 
schools, but I 
am also greatly 
involved in 
BBYO. This 
Jewish youth 
organization has been the 
place where I have met so 
many other Jewish teens 
and broadened my Jewish 
education. 
I started my BBYO journey 
during freshman year of high 
school. Originally, I placed 
myself into a chapter that I 
only joined because I knew 
people. This caused me to not 
enjoy my time, and I felt out 
of place. I then switched over 

to a smaller chapter, where I 
have been able to thrive and 
feel a sense of belonging. I 
only knew a few members, 
but I immediately noticed 
that the environment was a 
better fit for me and a place 
that I could grow in. I joined 
BBYO because I wanted to be 
able to make new friends and 
simultaneously share a love 
for Judaism. When I finally 
found my place in BBYO, 
I was able to ultimately 
experience the true magic of 
the organization. 
In May 2022, my BBYO 
chapter, Emunah BBG, 
hosted annual elections for 
the chapter board. I knew I 
was looking for a leadership 
role to take part in, and once 
I found the area that spoke 
to me, I knew I had to run. 
Weeks before the election 
day, I did a lot of research on 
the aspects of the position 

and kept finding that my 
personal values aligned 
with the elements of the 
role. I campaigned, made 
pamphlets and crafted a 
speech that would prove my 
qualifications to the chapter. 
When election day 
eventually came around, I 
had the honor to be elected 
as Emunah BBG’s 18th 
Sh’licha. It meant that I was 
elected to be in charge of my 
chapter’s Jewish aspects and 
programming, along with 
other fundraising projects. 
This area specifically spoke 
to me because it has given me 
the opportunity to share my 
love of Judaism with other 
teens. 
During my time in this 
position, I have been able to 
plan and run a few Shabbos 
and Havdalah programs, 
along with events to celebrate 
many Jewish holidays. In the 

future, I plan to continue 
constructing Jewish programs 
to be able to keep Jewish 
tradition and culture present 
throughout my chapter.
I have met some of my 
best friends through BBYO, 
only because we shared a 
love for a Jewish holiday or 
attended an event or program 
together. If more teens got 
involved with Jewish youth 
organizations like BBYO, 
they would find what I have 
discovered: These groups 
provide nothing but joy and 
Jewish connection. 
Overall, I have pride in 
my accomplishments in 
my Jewish education and 
identity, and I will continue 
to spread the love for Jewish 
expression and appreciation 
for many years to come. 

Talia Begres is a junior at Frankel 

Jewish Academy.

Talia Begres

