Back Pain? Neck Pain? dispelled.” Her time in Brazil challenged Starkman to “approach other cul- tures with compassionate curiosity, awareness of my privileges and a willingness to let go of judgment and embrace the unknown.” Wanting a meaningful travel experience after college graduation, Starkman said she became ener- gized after attending the Wallenberg Fellowship information session. “I felt that Wallenberg’s spirit and goals aligned perfectly with my own and the work I had become so engrossed in,” she said. Her mentor, Professor Malcolm Tulip, introduced her to Neha Bhat, a U-M theater alumna in India. “From there, the ball started roll- ing,” Starkman said. “I created my entire itinerary and proposal inde- pendently, choosing which NGOs [Non-Governmental Organizations] and theater troupes to work with, based on Neha’s suggestions and my own research.” Hundreds of U-M students apply each year for the Wallenberg award. Two from each campus school reach the semi-finals before three finalists emerge from just under 50 semi- finalist applications. Nine deans, provosts and profes- sors from different schools ques- tioned Starkman about herself and her project at her finalist interview. A week later, she was notified that she’d won the award. Starkman will begin her journey this fall in Mumbai, India, and will spend four months each in Bangalore and Kolkata. In each location, she will determine the accommodations, travel, food and more. “I will not have an interpreter or a driver as I will be spending all of my time in urban areas,” she said, noting that the Hindi language classes she’s started should help. Tulip called Starkman, “the ideal recipient of the fellowship, and that she represents the Arts and the Performing Arts, no less, is a tri- umph! She has stood out as her own woman since entering our program four years ago. “I have always appreciated Meredith’s commitment to perfor- mance but also her intense desire to be a citizen, connected to her communities: personal, local and global.” Upon her return, Starkman plans to pursue a professional acting career, probably in New York or Los Angeles, and “explore ways I can integrate activism into my art.” * Specialized Manual Physical Specialized One-on-One Therapy Can Can Help. Help Manual Physical Therapy Committed to serving the community for the past 10 years! Locations: Southfi eld, Troy, Commerce, and Shelby Township. 248.353.1234 Do you have limitations affecting your golf swing? OMPT Specialists has two Titleist Performance Institute certifi ed golf professionals on staff ready to help increase your golf performance. Call today for more information 248-353-1234 ext 5. FREE Functional Golf Evaluation Call to Schedule 248-353-1234 ext 5 248.353.1234 www.ompt.com 2083410 Save the Date…… Yad Ezra’s 26th Annual Fundraising Event Rachel and Jason Zimmerman 2016 Honorees Wednesday, September 28, 2016 Strolling Supper and Short Program Adat Shalom Synagogue For more information, call (248) 548-3663 Check us out online! Dinner Co-Chairpeople Molly and Aaron Chernow Rachel and Josh Opperer Bluma Schechter www.yadezra.org President Sam Rozenberg Feeding Hungry Jewish Families 2100190 May 26 • 2016 17