jews d
in
the
enlightened hospitality, devout passion and a per-
sonal touch. He is a young business owner who is an
asset to Metro Detroit and the Jewish community. A
regular visitor to Israel and son of an Israeli father,
Jeremy is proud of his Jewish heritage and sharing it
with the community.
Jonathan H. Schwartz, 34, of
Plymouth is an attorney at
Foster Swift Collins & Smith
PC. Jonathan has taken a lead-
ership role on the boards of
numerous Jewish community
organizations, such as
NEXTGen Detroit, the Jewish
Bar Association of Michigan,
the ADL and the JCRC/AJC. Jonathan has been an
innovator in a cause he cares deeply about, which is
making the Jewish community a more welcoming
place for interfaith couples and children of interfaith
parents. In addition to working with The Well on
interfaith programming, Jonathan helped establish
NEXTGen Detroit’s interfaith affinities group and
co-chaired the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Detroit’s first-ever interfaith couples’ mission to
Israel. Jonathan also helped found NEXTGen Pride,
an affinity group for LGBTQ young professionals
and their allies. Jonathan also co-founded the Jewish
Bar Association of Michigan, the “go-to organization
for the legal needs of the Jewish community,” which
provides social, educational and charitable activities
to hundreds of Jewish lawyers and judges across
Michigan and the Metro Detroit Jewish community.
His commitment to building a more inclusive Jewish
community and building bridges also exemplifies
the principle of hachnasat orchim (welcoming
guests/people).
Rachel Loebl Serman, 33, of
Berkley is a criminal defense
attorney and president of the
Jewish Bar Association of
Michigan (JBAM). Since return-
ing to her native home of
Detroit in 2012, Rachel’s leader-
ship skills, vision and drive
have made her an integral part
of Metro Detroit’s Jewish com-
munity. In 2014, Rachel co-founded JBAM after iden-
tifying a “gap” in the Jewish legal community. Since
its formation, Rachel has served as president of the
fast-growing organization. Rachel is also a
NEXTGen Detroit board member and involved with
many different organizations in the community.
Rachel is generous with her time and talent, and
thinks of others before herself. Her activities have
made a positive difference on this community.
Melissa Sherman, 29, of
Huntington Woods is the
human resources coordinator
at JVS. She has a BA in psychol-
ogy from the University of
Michigan and a MA in industri-
al/organizational psychology
from Wayne State University.
Melissa is a creative thinker
with an extraordinary ability to problem solve,
according to Teresa Schwartz, JVS vice president of
human resources. Melissa began her career at JVS as
a JOIN intern, where she developed and delivered
30
January 12 • 2017
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leadership training to its executive team. Through
her knowledge and professionalism, she gained their
respect and has now been with JVS for more than
six years. Melissa has been a young leader in the
Detroit Jewish community since high school, where
she served on the BBYO Regional Board. She contin-
ued her involvement in the Jewish community
throughout college, where she served on the board
for the U-M Hillel. Today, Melissa serves on the
Camp Tamarack Board of Trustees and looks for-
ward to her continued involvement in the Detroit
Jewish community.
Zack Sklar, 30, of Bloomfield
Hills, owner of Peas & Carrots
Hospitality and Cutting Edge
Cuisine, is a noted restaura-
teur. At age 30, Zack has
approximately 500 employees
in his organization. Zack also
volunteers with the nonprofit
group Heart 2 Hart Detroit that
serves the homeless in Detroit three days a week. He
and his staff prepare and serve soup and chili to the
homeless each week. He speaks to his staff passion-
ately about the tragedy of hunger and homelessness,
and his vision and leadership have changed the lives
of many people on the streets. He regularly hosts
events and fundraisers at his venues to help the
homeless, all at his own expense. He’s also a gener-
ous supporter of JVS, the Oakland County Humane
Society, Bissell Pet Foundation and the Museum of
Contemporary Art. He has also been a generous
giver to AIPAC and JVS, and has worked with his
temple for many years.
Jacob Smith, 28, of Detroit is
head of business development
for Castle Detroit, helping rent-
al property owners manage
their properties and be smarter
investors. Jacob has worked for
a number of startup organiza-
tions in the city of Detroit.
Through creating programs,
volunteering on various organization boards and
finding ways to bring different communities togeth-
er, Jacob is both a leader and innovator. He serves
on the NEXTGen Detroit board and has worked to
bring programming to the Holocaust Memorial
Center that appeals to young adults. He brought in
noted speaker, social entrepreneur and grandchild
of Holocaust survivors Adam Braun for an incredi-
bly successful event last year. He also is involved
with The Well and helped put on an event
Downtown this past spring focusing on the issue of
mass incarceration in the U.S. By virtue of his pas-
sion for giving back to the Jewish community, and
pushing it to have uncomfortable conversations,
Jacob truly exemplifies Jewish values.
Lauren Sofen, 31, of Berkley
is a pediatric physical therapist
who has been doing extensive
work with GirlForce as part of
Hadassah. The program seeks
to instill positive self-image
and Jewish values in girls.
Students complete a circuit of
physical activities based on the
pillars of exercise as well as learn about nutrition,
body image and Jewish values. Lauren has added a
younger voice to Hadassah of Metro Detroit. She is
helping to lead the regrowth of this vital organiza-
tion. She also is active with The Well and Temple
Israel.
Marshall Symons, 34, of
Detroit is a social entrepre-
neur, and co-owner and opera-
tor of a fleet of bicycle taxis at
Motor City Pedicab. Marshall
rode his bike from San
Francisco to Detroit in 2010 to
optimize opportunity in a city
in transition. He initiated the
transformation of a blighted neighborhood into a
goal-oriented community that thrives on one anoth-
er’s commitment and exchange of ideas. Taking
ideas from the bicycle co-op he founded, he founded
his own pedicab company in 2013. He is now a
transportainment staple in the Downtown area, giv-
ing rides to all kinds of people while sharing his wis-
dom and excitement for the city. Marshall is an
active member of the Isaac Agree Downtown
Synagogue and takes strength in the friendships
formed there. He also works very closely with the
Detroit City Moishe House, planning and participat-
ing in events and discussions relevant to the Jewish
community in Metro Detroit.
Jordan Weiss, 31, of West
Bloomfield is an attorney.
Jordan has served as co-chair
of AJC ACCESS Detroit,
advancing relationships among
the diplomatic and interfaith
communities and the Jewish
community. He also serves as
Detroit’s representative on
ACCESS’ Global Steering Committee and has gone
on missions reconnecting the American Jewish
community with its German counterparts. He is try-
ing to heal the world through diplomacy and creat-
ing connections. In addition, Jordan serves on the
NEXTGen Detroit Executive Board and as a board
member of the JCRC|AJC Detroit.
Samantha “Sam” Woll, 33, of
Detroit works in constituent
relations at the office of State
Rep. Stephanie Chang, and is a
social justice and political
activist. She was instrumental
in the founding of the Muslim-
Jewish Forum of Detroit — a
grassroots collective of young
adults of both faiths who gather in partnership to
learn, celebrate and build community together. The
Forum has helped to build and deepen important
relationships that did not previously exist between
the young Jewish and Muslim communities, hosting
revolutionary events, including an Interfaith Iftar
dinner welcoming Syrian refugees. By extending her
hand and creating space for connection between
Muslims and Jews, she has exemplified the values of
healing the world. Sam is also the co-chair of the
American Jewish Committee’s ACCESS Detroit
Young Leadership Program and is an active member
of the Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue. •
Compiled by Esther Allweiss Ingber and Jackie Headapohl