OUR COMMUNITY
SUB DEPARTMENT
I
an Mendel’s journey to Federation’s Motor
City Mission trip in March is one of a
yearning for identity, religious connection
and a 50th birthday present for the ages.
Ian Mendel was adopted. With it being a
closed adoption and the records sealed, he
had no knowledge of his biological, religious
or cultural identity growing up. His adoptive
parents were Christian, so he went to Sunday
school and occasionally church, although
religion was not an integral part of their lives.
He always believed in God, but, as an adult,
he wasn’t sure if he fully aligned with his reli-
gious upbringing.
“He always felt like something was kind of
missing,
” said his wife, Amy Mendel, who is
Jewish.
Everything began to change when Amy
and Ian met in October 2009. Much of their
first conversation was about his beliefs and
his struggle with his religious identity.
Upon getting to know Amy, Ian began
to learn more and more about Judaism. Ian
started taking Judaism classes and gained a
love for the religion and, in the end, ended
up converting to Judaism in a Conservative
conversion program.
Ian went on to change his last name to a
Jewish last name, Mendel, meaning “journey
of lifelong learning.
”
Amy said, “It connected with him because
he felt like he was now on this journey of life-
long learning of Judaism and who he really
is.
”
Ian and Amy got married (by a rabbi) and
went on to have twins who are now 7 years
old. The family lives in Farmington Hills.
Ian had been taking Intro to Judaism
classes at Adat Shalom every Monday night,
also going to different events to enhance his
knowledge of Judaism along the way.
Through this journey, Ian Mendel gained a
strong desire to go to Israel.
“Hearing and learning so much about
40 | FEBRUARY 16 • 2023
Mission of
a Lifetime
Ian Mendel, with a one-of-a-kind Jewish journey,
will be visiting Israel for the first time on
Motor City Mission.
DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER
Ian Mendel
OUR COMMUNITY
MOTOR CITY MISSION COUNTDOWN