38 | JANUARY 26 • 2023
L
’dor V’dor, or generation
to generation, embodies
the transfer of a culture’s
values, rituals, traditions and
history to the next generation.
While we have heard these
words spoken at our Passover
seders and in our respective
congregational services, it was
not until stepping off the plane
in Buenos Aires that we were
able to experience these words
and their true meaning.
On Dec. 5, we had the
privilege of traveling on
JDC Entwine’s Inside Jewish
Argentina with young pro-
fessionals from across the
Midwest, including fellow
members of Jewish Federation’s
NEXTGen Detroit. JDC
Entwine, the young adult plat-
form of the Joint Distribution
Committee (JDC), aims to
foster a generation of young
Jews who lead and live a life of
action with a particular focus
on the global Jewish commu-
nity.
On our Entwine journey, we
had the chance to visit histor-
ical synagogues, lively Jewish
day schools and vibrant assisted
living homes. The impact of
both Jews and JDC on the city
of Buenos Aires became over-
whelmingly apparent through
these visits.
Argentina, and Buenos Aires
in particular, has built strong
infrastructure that allows Jews
from all demographics to live
full, meaningful Jewish lives.
However, we came to learn that
none of this would have been
possible without JDC’s support.
JDC has stepped in during
times of crisis, whether it be the
1992 and 1994 terrorist attacks,
the financial crash of the early
2000s or the great economic
pressures currently being faced.
For more than 100 years, JDC
has been an active partner in
working to sustain Jewish com-
munities around the globe.
At every stop on our journey,
we were welcomed with open
arms, whether it was dancing
with the seniors at AMIA,
swimming with the members
of Hacoaj or eating lunch (that
quickly turned into dancing)
with the residents of the LeDor
VaDor Senior Home in Buenos
Aires.
The impact of JDC was felt
through every inch of these
organizations because JDC
not only helped to build these
organizations, but also helps
to sustain them. Beyond these
formal site visits, we had the
opportunity to interact with
young professionals who grew
up within the Jewish communi-
ty of Argentina.
From drinking Mate, a tra-
ditional Argentinian beverage,
in the park to karaoke with the
Moishe House to tango lessons
at Hillel, it became clear how
much our similarities outweigh
our differences.
We did Havdalah with
Jews from Israel, Argentina,
Minneapolis, Kansas City,
Columbus, Detroit and more,
and while we all grew up in
different regions with differ-
ent rabbis and traditions, we
all sang the same tunes and
prayers, swaying together
under the candlelight.
Similarly, we all cheered
together as one as we watched
Argentina advance in the
World Cup (and later win). We
met with fellow lawyers and
financial advisers in their 20s
NEXTGen Detroiters travel with JDC Entwine
to learn firsthand how JDC has made a
difference in the lives of Argentinian Jews.
NATALIE LANGNAS AND JACOB GORDON SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
LEFT: Trip participants visiting
Buenos Aires’ oldest synagogue:
Templo Libertad.
L
’dor V’dor
Experiencing Life in
Jewish Argentina
NEXT DOR
ON THE COVER