AUGUST 8 • 2024 | 45

DOG OF THE WEEK

H

i, everyone! I am Anakin. I am one adorable 
21-week-old Cattle dog/Terrier mix. I am super 
cool, my foster mom tells me. I enjoy hanging 
out with my fur siblings, and chilling on the cozy dog 
bed or sleeping in my foster mom’s bed. I love playing 
with my two Husky mix dogs and little Yorkie mix. 
I am going to be an estimated 35-50 lbs. full grown. 
I also get along really well with cats, too. I love running 
around, playing and need an active family and prefer to 
be with other dogs. too. 
I go outside great during the day (the other dogs are 
showing me everything) and I do use wee wee pads 
at night if I can’t hold it. I sometimes get the zoomies 
from being so excited now that I’m no longer stuck in a 
kennel at the shelter. I really enjoy going for car rides, 
and my foster mama says I am a great passenger. 
I am such a sweet and friendly guy! I would be a 
perfect addition to your home now. I just need a family. I 
get along great with dogs, kids and everyone. Overall, I 
am the perfect little boy.
If interested, submit an adoption application now for 
Anakin at almosthomeanimals.org. I am based out of 
West Bloomfield. 

Anakin!

Meet

SPOTLIGHT

National Council of Jewish Women Michigan’s Jewish Youth 
Awards is an annual scholarship program for high school seniors. 
Applicants are judged on a written essay, their leadership and 
community service in the secular and/or Jewish communities. 
 Six finalists were honored at an awards ceremony on May 14, 
2024: Rebekah Schwartz from Frankel Jewish Academy (West 
Bloomfield), first place award $2,500; Jonathan Manela from 
North Farmington High School (Farmington Hills), second 
place award $1,500; Rayna Kushner from Berkley High School 
(Berkley) third place winner, $1,000; Caryn Ben, Ella Fried, Ella 
Young, honorable mentions, $336 each. The Jewish Youth Awards 
are made possible through sponsors, Dina(z’l) and Herman (z’l) 
Brodsky, Esther (z’l) and Nathan (z’l) Katz, and the Levine Family.
This year’s essay topic was “What experience or person has had 
the greatest impact on your Jewish identity?” 

Temple Israel executive director 
Jason Plotkin recently attended 
a three-day Job Task Analysis 
(JTA) in Denver. The JTA was 
conducted by Professional 
Testing Inc. 
Plotkin joined 10 other execs 
from the National Association 
of Temple Administration 
(NATA) as they worked to 
define and standardize the role 
of a synagogue administrator. 
During their time together, the 
group also outlined the knowl-
edge, skills and abilities nec-
essary to serve as a synagogue 
executive director.
These efforts are part of a 
roadmap to further profession-
alize the work of synagogue 

executive directors and enhance 
the educational offerings avail-
able to NATA members.
Plotkin is a senior member of 
NATA based on a combination 
of tenure in the field and suc-
cessful completion of synagogue 
management classes. In NATA, 
Plotkin serves on the organi-
zation’s conference education 
committee in addition to its 
community impact and mem-
bership committees.
Plotkin recently completed 
his second year at the helm 
of Temple Israel and this past 
spring was elected as a mem-
ber of the Union for Reform 
Judaism’s North American 
Board. 

Jason Plotkin (top row, third from right) joined 10 other execs 
from the National Association of Temple Administration (NATA).

Temple Israel Exec Returns from 
Job Task Analysis Workshop

NCJW|MI Jewish Youth Awards

