When Heroes Wear Capes: An Inspiring Evening with @TheJewishFitnessCoach
2026-04-28 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Detroit) | Hillel Day School 32200 Middlebelt Rd, Farmington Hills
If a marathon runner dressed head-to-toe as Bat Man has showed up on your
social feed, then Yoel Levy has made his way to you. And you are not alone,
Yoel’s handle, @TheJewishFitnessCoach, has over 255K followers who engage with
him as he travels the world running races as Bat Man to honor Ariel and Kfir
Bibas and their love of the iconic super hero. But Yoel’s story goes beyond
the mask and cape. As a child, he struggled with dyslexia and speech
challenges, ultimately using movement and fitness to gain confidence and
overcome obstacles. Followers also know that he is a proud and dotting big
brother to his sister Hannah who has special needs.
Yoel will be joining us for an inspiring talk with ample time for Q&A. He’ll
share his personal story as well as touch on topics of resilience, Jewish
identity and visibility, and what it means to show up proudly as a Jew, both
on and offline. This honest and inspiring conversation is appropriate and
applicable for teens and adults. We hope you will join us!
**Donor Ticket:**
$18 per adult (21+) if your household has made a gift to Federation’s 2026
Annual Campaign. **If you are not yet a donor, you can become one today and
select our donor ticket price option. **
**Non-Donor Ticket:**
$36 per adult (21+).
**Student Ticket: **
$10 (5th grade to college, 20 and under).
Please register in advance by April 27.
Thank you to our Leadership:
Lindsay Hords and Jessica Migliore, Event Co-Chairs
Affinities Leadership:
Jayme Kirschner and Danny Singer, Affinities Department Co-Chairs
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15300

Preparing for the Unexpected: A Conversation with the Pros about Life Planning
2026-04-29 18:00 - 19:30 | Platform18 116 E 7th St, Royal Oak
Adulting, like real adulting, is no joke. Beyond paying the bills and showing
up for work, there’s planning for the future — and it’s not all intuitive.
That’s why we’ve invited several professionals together to help us get started
on some of the trickier parts of planning for the years ahead. We’ll be
talking about everything from wills and guardianship to insurance and
investments, even end of life wishes. We’ll also tackle the difficult topic of
caring for older adults, be it your parents or grandparents, and what role you
can play in ensuring their wishes are respected and everything is in order.
These topics apply to many ages and stages of life. Our goal is to have you
leave with more insight and resources to help you make big decisions and set
you and your family up for success.
The pros on our panel will include:
Abigail Berlin, LMSW: Psychotherapist & Hospital Social Worker, Berlin Therapy
PLLC
Carly Pickel, CFP, CPFA, CSRIC: Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor
Michelle A. Rubin, Attorney: Partner, Taft Law
$10 per person. Dinner will be provided.
This event is intended for young adults ages 21 to 39.
Thank you to our event chairs: Daniel Cohen, Jeremy Rosenberg and Alana Silver
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15313

Startup Nation Teens
2026-04-30 17:30 - 19:30, 2026-05-07 17:30 - 19:30 | 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

Flourish Together: A Chance to Create and Give Back
2026-04-30 19:00 - 21:00 | Olive’s Bloombox 262 W Nine Mile Rd, Ferndale
Young Women’s Philanthropy is heading to Olive’s Bloombox in Ferndale for an
evening of arranging tabletop bouquets to ring in spring and spread some love.
We’ll be making two small vase arrangements, one to keep (or gift) and one to
share with a spouse, partner or loved one of a member of the Jewish Community
Security, Inc. (JCSI) team and other security personnel in the community. We
know many in our community are looking for ways to thank those who keep our
institutions safe, and we thought this would be a great way to show our
appreciation.
$36 includes flower arrangement, light bites and drinks.
**Kosher options are available upon request. **
This event is intended for women in their 30s and 40s.
Thank you to our Leadership:
Young Women’s Philanthropy Chairs: Lisa Rothberger and Emily Slabotsky
Event Co-Chairs: Erica Dovitz and Lauren Midelton
WP VP: Emily Hunegs
WP President: Nancy Glen
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15356

Yom Ha’Atzmaut: Singing Is Believing
2026-05-04 17:30 - 20:30 | Congregation Shaarey Zedek 27375 Bell Rd, Southfield
Join us this May 4th, the eve of Lag BaOmer, for a joyful celebration of
Israel’s 78th Independence Day through music, connection and the spirit of
Klal Yisrael. At a time of profound challenges and uncertainty for Israel,
moments like these bring us together to lift our voices and reaffirm what
unites us all.
This family-friendly event culminates in an unforgettable, interactive musical
experience with the Israeli group Koolulam—world‑renowned for turning
audiences into a single, soaring chorus.
The evening will feature something for everyone, including:
* A community fair with Israel-themed crafts and activities
* Games and activities led by the Shinshinim
* Dinner featuring Israeli favorites (dietary laws observed)
* Israel-themed giveaways
* A moving mass sing-along with Koolulam
Come dressed in white and blue as we raise our voices and celebrate Yom
Ha’Atzmaut in a fun and spirited way for the entire family.
$18 per person
$50 family (2 adults and up to 5 kids)
Ages 5 and under are free
**About Koolulam** https://www.koolulam.com/en/brings people together through a mass
singing experience; empowering the audience to raise their voices In joy and
harmony. The result is an awe-inspiring immersive and fun journey that builds
connections between people. See what millions of people all over the world are
raving about! Join in the fun where The AUDIENCE IS THE STAR!
**Thank You to Our Event Sponsors**
**Chesed**
Couzens Lansky
MASA Israel Journey
**Arevut**
American Friends of Magan David Adom
American Technion Society
Congregation Shaarey Zedek
Jerusalem Pizza
Linen Hero
Marvin & Betty Danto Health Care Center
Paycom
Prince Concepts
Uniprop
We Rock the Spectrum Kid’s Gym
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/14960

WP's 2026 Annual Meeting: Celebrating 80 Years of Women Making an Impact in Jewish Detroit
2026-05-05 19:00 - 20:30 | Congregation Shaarey Zedek 27375 Bell Rd, Southfield
WP is celebrating eight incredible decades of Jewish women in Detroit coming
together to make a difference. While much has changed over the last 80 years,
our commitment to this community and helping Jews around the world has
remained steadfast. Join us as we commemorate the resilience, strength and
determination that has allowed Women’s Philanthropy to thrive; and embrace the
Jewish joy, love, humor and friendships that have made the work and the
mission a true pleasure along the way.
This year’s meeting will include our appreciation of outgoing President Nancy
Glen and the installation of Shelly Rubenfire, President-Elect.
The Marion Freedman Women’s Philanthropy Volunteer Award will be presented to
this year’s honoree, Sylvia Sherman.
$36 per person includes dessert and wine.
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15343

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
