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Lisa Barson's helping
hands stand out at
Federation's Young
Adult Division.
Sea* Klamdzil
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SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
FOURTH GENERATION JEWELERS
AT BIG BEAVER & 1.75 JUST EAST OF THE SOMERSET COIJECIION
755 West Big Beaver • Troy, Michigan 48084 • 810-362-4500
Main Floor, Top of Troy Building
Lisa Barson enjoys helping out in
the Jewish community.
Financing available ...12 months same as cash on all purchases with approved credit.
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L
isa Barson has an interest- and the environment. She is also
ing take on life. "I don't like adviser for Savage BBG.
to sit around and 'bump
And last but not least, Barson
gums,"' she says.
was recently selected to the New
Instead, the 28-year-old likes Leaders Project. Entering its sec-
to submerge herself in the ond year, the program was de-
things she loves. Like giving signed to groom young Jewish
back to the community, which leaders in and around Detroit; it
is where she has directed most is a joint venture of the Federa-
of her efforts.
tion and the Jewish Community
Since moving to the Detroit Council.
area from Cleveland nearly five
As one of 18 members, Barson
years ago, Barson has volun- can now attend seminars, re-
teered tirelessly for the Jewish treats and workshops to further
Federation. "She's amazing to develop her leadership skills.
work with," says Joanie Berger,
Although volunteering takes
senior staff associate in the Com- up much of her time, Barson
munity Outreach and Education works full-time as an account ex-
Department who has been Bar- ecutive for Events Marketing, a
son's main contact. "She's so pas- communications firm in South-
sionate about this community field. She specializes in organiz-
and her volunteer work that ing events, promotions and
she'll sign up for things just so public-relations strategies for an
they get done."
army of local and national clients.
It seems the pen she uses to
The rush she gets from a job
sign on the dotted line is getting well done is afforded her daily in
worn out. In just a few years, her position; however, it is im-
Barson has signed up for more portant to her to be able to stay
activities than most people ever behind the scenes. "I don't like to
will. One of three co-chairs for be in the public eye," she ex-
placing volunteers at the Feder- presses with a hint of annoyance,
ation's annual Christmas effort, knowing this article could put her
Barson successfully guided 500 in the forefront.
volunteers to sites around the
"But that doesn't mean I don't
city.
like to get involved. Detroit has
"She called in every day to offered me so much, I just want
make sure there was nothing else to give something back."
that needed to be done," recalls
Helped by her involvement in
Berger.
the Jewish community, Barson's
Recently installed on the board move to Detroit has been a suc-
of Federation's Young Adult Di- cess. She has "been able to find
vision (YAD), Barson is also a my friends and my business con-
member of Teva, a newly formed tacts here relati., cly easily. I've
group focusing on the links be- found a home. I never want to be
tween spirituality, community a sponge and just keep taking,"
she says.
"Even though volunteering is
often a thankless job, I really en-
joy the response I get when Pm
able to help."
Like the time she served food
at a downtown soup kitchen. Bar-
son explained how grateful the
shelter's management was for
the efforts of Barson and her
peers. "When I called and asked
them when a good time to come
down and help would be, the
woman actually thought I was
joking," she recalls.
A 1991 graduate of Ohio's
Kent State University — clearly
enunciated so as not to confuse
with Penn State — Barson spent
her junior year in Israel. High-
lighted by a two-month stay on a
kibbutz, her time in Israel helped
her solidify the decision to major
in communication. Barson be-
lieves the research and writing
she did while in Israel, in addi-
tion to an internship for a video
production company, helped her
get her current position.
After college, Barson returned
home to the suburbs of Cleve-
land. In 1992, she left her first
post-college job for Detroit.
Now a Southfield resident,
Barson enjoys traveling —"I love
the Upper Peninsula, especially
[during] the Cherry Festival" —
working out (hiking, biking and
walking) and delving into a good
book — her favorite is Cold Com-
fort Farm by Stella Gibbons.
"Television is OK," she ratio-
nalizes, "but I only watch `Sein-
feld' so I have something to talk
about at a golf outing." ❑