she has been thinking about how to provide youth with career mentorship. “I’m a real believer in the youth voice,” she explains, “and being able to navigate your own destiny.” She says youth can pave the way to a successful career path through learning practical skills and understanding how the world evolves as it pertains to current affairs. “There are a lot of barriers to career entry for a lot of people,” Nederlander continues. “We’re helping with that through skill development, introductions and networking.” REAL-LIFE SUCCESS Nederlander and L!FE Leaders’ community partners have seen their efforts in helping Detroit youth pay off. Now, youth volunteers have created a dedicated youth summit council to take on and address issues related to the larger conference.
Two participants, Nederlander explains, decided to focus on improving financial literacy. The youth started a nonprofit called Discover SELF Impact to offer a series of workshops on financial independence. “As a result of the work they did, they were included in this year’s Skillman Foundation’s 20 Black Detroiters Making History,” Nederlander says. It’s just one example of many, she explains, that highlight the importance of providing Detroit youth with the right skill-building programs and doors to career growth. “We have several students moving into the real world with exciting opportunities,” Nederlander says. “Understanding what’s going on around you can help you understand the opportunity in front of you and how to make things happen for yourself.”
Amy Nederlander, co-founder and president, L!FE Leaders Inc. and Rico Razo, deputy director, Bridging Neighborhoods, City of Detroit, at the Mike Ilitch School of Business, Wayne State University in 2019.
On to Israel
Two students awarded scholarships for gap year programs in Israel. RABBI HERBERT YOSKOWITZ SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
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wo 2021 high school grads were awarded scholarships June 16 to enable their gap year studies in Israel. Zoe Golan of Farmington Hills High School and Cara Lopatin of the Farber Hebrew Academy were the recipients of these competitive awards. Zoe will use the Jay Yoskowitz Israel scholarship for the Gal-il year program in Upper Galilee. In her application, Zoe wrote that this year in Israel will enhance her “excellent relationship to both Jewish education as well as the Jewish community as I have come to know at Adat Shalom.” The daughter of Yifat and Shaham Golan, Israelis from
the Galilee, Zoe has a familiarity with Israel. Through her gap year, she expects to deepen her connection to Israel. The Jay Yoskowitz Israel Rabbi Aaron Bergman, Joan Chernoff-Epstein (president of Adat Shalom Scholarship Fund was estab- Synagogue), Rabbi Emeritus Herbert Yoskowitz and Hazzan Daniel Gross offered their personal congratulations as they presented Zoe Golan and lished in 2006 by Rabbi Cara Lopatin summer scholarships. Herbert Yoskowitz, rabbi the Harry and Sarah Laker emeritus of Adat Shalom to lished at Congregation Beth honor the memory of his broth- Memorial Scholarship to study Achim (merged with Adat at Amudim in Jerusalem. Cara er Jay Yoskowitz, who served Shalom Synagogue in 1998). looks forward “to learn Torah as senior vice president of the Harry Laker was president of lishmah (for its own sake), American Technion Society, Congregation Beth Achim. executive director of the United explore Jewish topics both old Both scholarships are and new to me” and to deepen Israel Appeal and executive administered by Adat Shalom her strong connection to Israel director of the Council of Synagogue and awarded annuand to Jewish studies. She is the Jewish Federations. The scholally on a competitive basis. daughter of Rachel and Rabbi arship is awarded annually to Asher Lopatin. a member of Adat Shalom for Herbert Yoskowitz is rabbi emeritus at The Harry and Sarah Laker study in Israel. Adat Shalom Synagogue. Memorial Award was estabCara Lopatin received JULY 29 • 2021
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