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