For a self-described “homebody at heart,” Sarah Allyn certainly knows her way around the neighborhoods in the city. Sarah is making her mark as a charismatic leader, an energetic organizer, a community builder, an innovative educator, a teen mentor and volunteer recruiter.
She loves Christmas for its festivity. He loves Yom Kippur for its solemnity. He’s Catholic married to a Jew. She’s a Democrat married to a Republican. Conservative. Liberal. Activist. Zionist. Harvard-Grad/ Attorney. Exec. V.P/ Biz Owner. Multi-Cultural. Intermarried. Parents, first and foremost, preparing their children for a complex world.
What’s in a title? For Randy Gawel – new Director of General Studies at Frankel Jewish Academy (FJA) – it was not the office, but the community of the school with all its opportunities open to students that influenced him to join the staff this year. It was a decision not easily made after eight fulfilling years as Principal of Berkley High School.
Founding Partner of Bar Processing (a major steel processor for automotive parts); Past President of Federation and the Jewish Community Center; astute fundraiser, strategic community planner and avid supporter of Israel; naming sponsor the Loving Acts of Kindness Fund and JCC’s annual “Matzah Factory.” An aficionado of model trains since childhood, proud to become a Bar Mitzvah at the age of 63. Ever learning, ever curious, always dapper in his signature specs. This is Douglas Bloom, recipient of Federation’s highest honor, the 2018 Fred M. Butzel Memorial Award.
She has the brains of an engineer, the heart of a social worker, the gentle soul of a Jewish educator . . . and the spunk and determination of a roller derby athlete (Detroit Roller Derby, #314). For her “derby-girl” role on the track, her three children fondly have given her the name “Mad-Eye” (a tribute to Harry Potter). In her leading role as Coordinator of The Jewish Fund Teen Board, Martha Goldberg has touched and changed hundreds of lives, bringing a new generation of social activists together to practice their skills in leadership and advocacy and leave their mark as grant- makers in service to the community.
Given the focus and controversies over immigration, it’s got to be the best of times – or the worst of times – to be an attorney in the practice of immigration law. For some clarity on the law, we turn to Ruby Robinson, 34, Co-managing Attorney for the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC), a statewide legal services nonprofit. In his role, Ruby is on the forefront in advancing and defending the interests of immigrants through advocacy, direct representation, impact litigation, pro bono mentorship, coalition building . . . and so much more.
What does Erin Stiebel do? More like, what doesn’t she do? You’re looking at a Partners Detroit Young Professionals Educator, NEXTGen Detroit Board member, Director of NCSY’s GIVE, Great BIG Challah Bake MC, Wexner Graduate Fellow, matchmaker, one of the Jewish News’ 36 Under 36 and mom to three under five. Phew, we’re exhausted just reading that.
A former high school teacher, now a sought-after speaker and parenting expert as principal consultant at the MJ Fisher Group, Julie Fisher, M.Ed., is a trusted advisor to parents, school administrators, kids and teens on a variety of topics related to managing stress, social media and the pace of life online and off.
“Scrappy and resourceful, compassionate and Jewish and here to help.” Those are Perry Ohren’s words to describe Jewish Family Service (JFS). Those words easily describe Perry Ohren, himself – “MSW, LMSW, CEO of JFS” – a social worker with a long train of initials behind his name, signifying his years of commitment and experience in clinical practice, his deep understanding of the needs of the community and his leadership today as Chief Exec and visionary for JFS.
Who better to describe the science of medicine and the inexplicable miracles of life than a nationally recognized radiation oncologist who had a near-fatal diagnosis of bone marrow cancer? A thankful patient returned to health, Jeffrey D. Forman, MD is an inspiration to many today. An academician, a mentor, a community leader, a physician on a life-changing mission, Jeff now continues his work as the first Medical Director of the Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network.
