"'four questions
Who's thinking what — and why?
The wonderful world of Sesame
Street, with its educational
themes and colorful, inventive
characters like Big Bird, Cookie
Monster, Grover and Elmo, is
brought to you every day by a
group of talented and dedicated
professionals working behind
the scenes, including Southfield
native SHARON STULBERG.
"Our mission is to use the
power of the media to help
all children reach their highest
potential," says Stulberg, 39, who serves as assistant vice president of
marketing for Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization
behind Sesame Street. "I love That I can bring the great Things about
Sesame Street to children all over the world."
Stulberg, who was confirmed at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield and
is now settled on Manhattan's Upper West Side with her husband, Jon Fish,
and their 11-month old daughter, Caroline, literally traveled around the globe
to get where she is today. She holds a B.A. in music from Stanford University
and an M.B.A. from IMD, the International Institute for Management
Development in Lausanne, Switzerland. After graduating, Stulberg took a job
with the Coca-Cola Company in Vienna, Austria, and ultimately ended up in
New York where she joined Sesame Workshop in 2002.
"I love the variety," Stulberg says. "My job combines my interests in educa-
tion, entertainment, media and business — it's a very unique intersection of
all those different things." Being a new mom, adds Stulberg, has given her a
newfound perspective. "I'm seeing all of the books, DVDs, and toys through a
fresh set of eyes." Here, we ask Stulberg our version of the Four Questions.
— Robin Schwartz
1
WHAT BOOK, CD„ MOVIE OR
OTHER MEDIA ARE. YOU LONGING
TO SHARE WITH OTHERS?
I encourage people to rediscover Sesame Street. I get
to work with the producers, writers, actors, artists,
researchers and others who create the magic, and I
think it's great that parents who grew up on Sesame
Street can now share it with their children. Grown-
ups will see familiar elements, but will be delighted
with the modern twists. Jon Stewart was a guest
this year — parents love him, but his skit about the
word 'practice' will have kids cracking up.
As a new mom, one of my favorite things to do
is to curl up with my daughter and rediscover all the
great books of my youth. Sesame Street's The Monster
at the End of this Book is a classic, and we both squeal
as we get closer to the end.
IF YOU COULD HAVE BRUNCH WITH
A BIBLICAL OR HISTORICAL JEWISH
FIGURE, WHO WOULD IT BE?
I would love to have brunch with [Academy
Award—nominated film director, producer, screen-
writer and novelist] Nora Ephron. She is a smart,
funny, articulate, Jewish woman who has succeeded
in male-dominated fields. She is superbly confident
and is able to leverage the difficult moments in her
life in a way that most of us could only dream of.
We could talk about food, love, work, family, New
York. We could share family kugel recipes.
3
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE
JEWISH FOOD?
Pickled herring, although I would never,
ever, touch it. When I was a child, my grandfather,
David Lipton, used to delight in eating this in
front of my sisters and me. He knew this was the
last thing three little girls would like, but he would
get this sparkle in his eye as he bit into it and ask
us, "Are you sure you won't try some?" He passed
away 20 years ago, and I still smile whenever I see
a jar of pickled herring on a grocery-store shelf
Jewish food for me, whether I eat it or not,
represents all that is wonderful about family time.
On Friday nights or the holidays, my grandfather
would make dinner, my grandmother would bake
the desserts. My childhood memories are filled
with tastes and smells from those family times.
4
WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE
SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
That I wanted to be an opera singer.
Unfortunately, after graduating with a degree in
music from Stanford University, I realized my pipes
were not up to the challenge and I had to find
another career path. After a circuitous route that
led through Asia, Russia, Switzerland and Austria,
that path led to New York and Sesame Street. The
only singing I do these days is when my husband,
Jon, and I serenade our baby daughter, Caroline,
with some silly song like "Six Little Ducks." ❑
STEP INTO SCHOOL
THIS SEASON WITH THE BEST
FASHION ACCESSORY OF ALL:
GREAT LOOKING SKIN!!!!
$500
includes Obagi Skincare Regimen
Save $50
(Available for a limited time only.
Must present coupon at time of service)
Inc.
Amino Acid Clay Peels
4 for $250
Designs for Special Events
(Available for a limited time only.
Must present coupon at time of service)
COMPLIMENTARY
Skincare & Makeup
Consultation
Wedding Consulting & Coordination
Corporate Events
Bar & Bat Mitzvahs
Special Occasions
TO0•21-T Party Rentals
$300
Omnilux Laser Package
for Problem Skin
Leslie Jacobs
1 9
Microdermabrasion/Glycolk Acid Peels
(Available for a limited time only.
Must present coupon at time of service)
4
associates,
Buy 5
Get the bth Free
CALL 248-539-3223
At SKIN DEEP SPA
ur Destination Place
r Fresh Healthy Skin
(Available for a limited time only.
Must present coupon at time of service)
DA. f01(114111. w. 01411), D.O.
Michigan Cosmetic Surgery Center
6635 DALY ROAD • WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI 48322
248 . 646 . 45 17 • LJREDHEAD@AOL.COM
:34 •
OCTOBER 2007 •
platinum
248.538.3333
www.ANEWYOU.com
Dr. Michael Gray