JANUARY 26 • 2023 | 39
volunteering their time with
local Jewish organizations, liv-
ing parallel lives to ours — just
on another continent.
While we may have spoken
different languages, we all expe-
rienced our Judaism the same
way. Our Judaism is a way to
connect, to dance, to eat, to
drink, to educate and to give
back to the generations who
came before us and the genera-
tions to come.
Throughout this trip, we also
witnessed many of the hard-
ships the Jews of Buenos Aires
have faced, including two back-
to-back terrorist attacks that
occurred just a few decades ago.
When visiting these memorials,
as devastating as it was, it was
inspiring to see how the com-
munity did not let these hateful
crimes stop individuals from
living their full Jewish lives.
They continue to speak about
what happened and educate
future generations to prevent
these terrible tragedies from
repeating themselves. Speaking
and learning about these hard-
ships would be impossible with-
out mentioning JDC’s role. JDC
was always there to support
Jews in need and strengthen
communities.
We experienced this trip at
a critical point in our personal
Jewish journeys as young adults
living in Metro Detroit. We
explored Argentina and the
larger global Jewish community
from the perspective of future
Jewish leaders. Embarking on
this journey with NEXTGen
Detroit allowed us to bring a
local perspective and think
about how we can bring this
experience home with us and
use it to continue to make posi-
tive change.
We see now just how pow-
erful of an impact the Jewish
community can make not only
on our local neighborhoods,
but also around the world. This
trip was only a launching pad
to our continued learning. We
hope to ensure that communi-
ties in Detroit, Israel, Argentina
and beyond can continue to
thrive for generations to come.
Prior to this experience, it
was hard to picture how prev-
alent Jewish life was in this
region of Latin America, as the
United States and Israel were,
in our minds, the only pillars of
Jewish life. After experiencing
their complex Jewish history,
we came to discover that this
Argentinian community is
not only existing but thriving.
Thriving from all ages and
demographics, from generation
to generation, L’
dor V’
dor.
Jacob Gordon, 27, lives in Birmingham
and Natalie Langnas, 25, lives in
Bloomfield Hills.
Jacob Gordon and Natalie Langnas
(center), along with other Midwest trip
participants
The Consulate of Italy in
Detroit, in collaboration with
the Dante Alighieri Society of
Michigan, presents the screening
of two movies, Twenty Minutes,
directed by Daniele
Esposito, and
Piazza, directed by
Karen Di Porto, in
commemoration
of International
Holocaust
Remembrance
Day on Sunday,
Jan. 29, at 3:30
p.m. at the
Maple Theater
in Bloomfield
Township.
A prerecorded conversation
with both directors Daniele
Esposito and Karen Di Porto
will be shown in between the
films.
The Consulate of Italy in
Detroit and the Dante Alighieri
Society of Michigan wish to
commemorate all of those who
suffered persecution as a result
of the Racial Laws imposed
by the Fascist
government and
under the Nazi
occupation
during World War
II.
The Consul
of Italy in
Detroit Allegra
Baistrocchi will
be in attendance
and highlight the
importance of this
honored day.
The screening is free and open
to the public, but registration is
required at www.dantemichigan.
org/event/il-giorno-della-
memoria-holocaust-
remembrance-day-2.
The Jewish Bar Association of Michigan (JBAM) has
extended the deadline to apply for its annual $1,500
Charles J. Cohen scholarship to Feb. 24.
Applicants must be enrolled full- or part-time
at a law school in Michigan; a 2L at the time of
application; in good academic and administrative
standing with a minimum 3.00 GPA; committed
to practicing law in Michigan; and be able to
demonstrate a history of involvement within the
Jewish community, the law school community and
the legal community at-large.
Each applicant must submit: 1. A detailed letter
of interest explaining how they meet award criteria,
and any relevant connections and commitments to
the Michigan; 2. A resume; 3. An official law school
transcript; and 4. Up to two letters of recommendation
as part of their application. Application materials must
be submitted in a single pdf packet and in the order
listed in the preceding section.
Send applications to Andrew Cohen, andrew@theclo.
com, by Feb. 24. For further information, visit jewishbar.
org and select “Scholarship” from the drop-down menu.
Questions can be emailed to Andrew Cohen.
Law Scholarship Deadline
Extended to Feb. 24
International Holocaust Remembrance
Day Film Screening
SPOTLIGHT