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34 August 25 • 2016 continued on page 36 continued from page 32 some choices to make: Do I opt for the corporate life, or do I want to work in the Jewish world?" said the Las Vegas native who moved to Detroit for the weaver job in January and works with teens in the Conservative movement. She dropped her corporate ambi- tions and committed her professional pursuits to the Jewish community. Honig channels her memories attend- ing Jewish preschool, day school and socializing in United Synagogue Youth and Camp Ramah as she mentors teens making personal choices of how to live more Jewishly. Well-versed in the teen mindset, she takes a "one-size-does- not-fit-all" strategy for finding just the right opportunity to spark a teen's interest in Judaism. "We realize that what may work for one teen will not work for another," Honig said. "We are not proprietary to the particular youth groups we repre- sent. What is most important is making these teens realize they are the future of our community by nurturing and men- toring them now. Then, when they are adults, they will want to give back, not only to the Jewish community, but to Detroit as a whole." Allison Bloom- berg, 17, of Farming- ton Hills, who will be a senior this year at Frankel Jewish Academy in West Bloomfield, said Honig has been "a huge help" in supporting MCUSY (Motor City USY) during a transitional phase and helped keep the Conservative-based chapter growing in the right direction. "Without her, who knows where MCUSY would be, and I'm so fortunate I got to work with her this past year as MCUSY co-president," said Bloomberg, who has held leadership roles locally and regionally. "USY has been an essential part of my high school experi- ence. USY has taught me valuable lead- ership skills, and has introduced me to a plethora of friends I consider family. It has also given me the opportunity to further my Jewish education. I've had the opportunity to lead programs regarding lessons in the Torah as well as lead part of Shabbat services at every regional convention." Joseph Unger, the only native Detroiter of the weavers, works as the youth adviser at Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Township. Much of the NFTY program- ming at TBE focuses on social justice and volunteering, such as monthly trips to soup kitchens or other work coordi- nated by Repair the World Detroit. Programs like this over the last year have attracted a core group of 10 kids, plus 35-40 others who have attended at least one program over the year. Other successful programs last year included Havdalah at the William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse in Detroit with TBE's Rabbi Mark Miller. At 25, Unger likes to be honest with Joseph Unger Allison Bloomberg "We have been given license to take our ideas and passions and run with them." — E t h a n B e n n e t t Temple Beth El youth are out with their Teen Network Weaver Joseph Unger, right. LOWER SCHOOL Grades PK-2 JUNIOR SCHOOL Grades 3-5 MIDDLE SCHOOL Grades 6-8 UPPER SCHOOL Grades 9-12 JOIN US FOR OUR open house ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23 | 1-3 P.M. Led by renowned faculty in world-class facilities, Detroit Country Day School delivers exceptional academic experiences both within and beyond the classroom each and every day. 248.646.7717 | www.dcds.edu w h e r e e x t r a o r d i n a r y h a p p e n s every day 2115390