Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit

Startup Nation Teens
2026-05-07 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Detroit) | Temple Israel 5725 Walnut Lake Rd, Bloomfield Hills
**Build. Create. Innovate.**
**Israel Inspired Innovation Lab for Jewish High Schoolers (Grades 9–11).**
Discover how Israel became the Startup Nation through hands‑on sessions, real
startup stories and guest speakers—including leaders from top Israeli tech
companies.
* Meet innovators & explore Israeli startups
* Work in teams to build your own startup idea
* Identify a problem → design a solution → pitch your concept
* Learn creative thinking, teamwork & problem‑solving skills colleges value
* Facilitator: **Oded Benyamini** (Detroit Shinshin and alum of Middle Eastern Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow)
**Save Your Spot. Limited to 20 people.**
$40 for all four sessions. (4th session date TBD.)
Pizza dinners provided (kosher).
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/14473

From Shuk to Table. Cook, Connect, Eat.
2026-05-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Platform18 116 E 7th St, Royal Oak
Grab a spot at the table and jump into a hands-on Israeli cooking class with
our Israel & Overseas partners. The evening is led by our Shinshinim, young
Israeli emissaries spending a gap year in our community between high school
graduation and military service, who are here to share their love for Israel
and its culture. You’ll cook Israeli favorites in small groups, swap stories
and inspiration, and then come together for a family-style meal. Come hungry,
meet new people and leave with new connections—plus a little taste of Israel
and its irresistible spirit.
This event is intended for young adults ages 21 to 39.
Thank you to our event co-chairs: Ben Blumenstein and Jeff Sondheimer
Presented in partnership with Shinshinim
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15522

The Chai Life: End of Annual Campaign Celebration
2026-05-28 19:00 - 23:00 | Out of Office Garage 2400 Cole St, Birmingham, United Kingdom
What better way to start your summer engine than with NEXTGen Detroit at our
annual Chai Life fundraiser, this year at Out of Office Garage in Birmingham.
We’ve got drinks, fun food, really cool cars and live music — everything you
need to live that chai life! It’s a night to schmooze, meet some new people,
learn a bit about the important work of the Federation, get up close and
personal with some pretty impressive sets of wheels and help us race to the
finish of our Annual Campaign. Here’s your chance to make a major impact on
countless lives here in Jewish Detroit and around the world.
While the bar will be open until 11 PM, it’s the last call to make your gift
to Federation’s 2026 Annual Campaign! Join the other 10,000+ Jewish Detroiters
who generously support the work of Federation and our 16 local and three
international partner agencies when you attend this event and make your gift
to the 2026 Annual Campaign.
$10 until May 20.
$45 beginning May 21.
Ticket includes food, open bar (beer, wine, seltzer), entertainment and
complimentary valet.
In addition to the cost of a ticket, a minimum donation of $18 to Federation’s
2026 Annual Campaign is also required to attend this fundraising event.
**If you have already made a gift of $18 or more to Federation’s 2026 Annual
Campaign, email Ryan at otis@jewishdetroit.org for a coupon code to waive the
minimum donation fee at registration.**
Please RSVP by May 27.
Dietary laws observed.
This event is intended for young adults ages 21 to 39.
Dress to impress.
Thank you to our Leadership
Event Co-Chairs: Sophie Dwoskin, Jodi Levin, Zach Neistein and Steve Steinberg
NEXTGen Detroit President
Andrew Luckoff
NEXTGen Detroit President-Elect
Abigail Epstein
NEXTGen Detroit Immediate Past President
Spencer Lucker
NEXTGen Detroit Director
Tomer Moked
NEXTGen Detroit Professional Team
Lindsey Schwartz
Cameron Billes
Ryan Otis
Sierra Brocklehurst
Melissa Mertz
Ben Cohon
NEXTGen Detroit Campaign Vice Presidents
Erica Dovitz
Nicole MacWilliams
Andrew Moss
Blair Thoenes
Host Committee
Morgan & Matt Barker
Jessica Davidov
Lauren & Dorin Deitch
Jaymie & Matthew Epstein
Emily Einstandig & Jordan Migdal
Lily Foltyn
Logan Forman
Bri & Joe Freedman
Zack Goldman
Lily Hooberman
Jason Israilov
Noah Kleid
Mara & Daniel Levine
Stephen Lipshaw
Elizabeth Merzin
Jessica Otis
Abby Rubin
Melanie Teper
Mallory Tyner
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15428
