JUNE 6 • 2024 | 33

PREPARING FOR THE
MACCABI GAMES
As an adviser, Klinger prides
herself in not necessarily being
someone to “tell the kids what
to do” — but instead serve as
their greatest possible support
system.
She is excited to also be
co-coaching the Detroit
Maccabi Dance Team this
summer.
Klinger started dancing
at around age 3 and was a
member of the pom team in
high school. Upon graduating,
she ended up coaching that
pom team, which gave her the
coaching itch. She fell in love
with it.
“I did it for a couple years
and I was, like, this is my
calling. It felt so good to be
able to create dances even
though I knew I couldn’t do it
myself anymore. It ignited my

passion.”
That coaching stint ended,
but the itch never went away.
She was always looking for
similar opportunities, until one
fell in her lap — the Detroit
dance team for the 2024
Maccabi Games, coming to
Detroit this July, happened to

be looking for another coach.
Klinger is one of three
coaches, and there’s currently
around 10 dancers signed up,
ages 12-16.
“Everybody’s super-excited
about it,” Klinger said. “We
had our first practice a couple
weeks ago. It’s gonna be really

fun.”
Klinger also started getting
involved with Partners Detroit
in her free time.
Klinger credits her deep
pride in the Jewish community
to always being surrounded
by Judaism growing up and
credits her innate passion
for education and guiding
younger people to having
many teachers and people who
loved being around kids in
her family. It’s second nature
to her.
“People keep asking me,
‘What’s next?’ My answer is I
love being where I’m at right
now,” Klinger said.
“I know everybody in the
community, and they know
me. It’s so comforting to have
so much community, and I
think that’s what’s keeping me
here, the comfort, love and
support.”

Klinger enjoys a smoothie with CSZ teens.