moments
special moments
Matchmaker, Matchmaker
MATT WEINER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
Q
: H
How
ow did
d id you
y ou
o u decide
d ec
ecid
idee to
id
t o make
m ak
ake
k e your
y ur adult life
yo
in Metro Detroit?
JF: After going to Central Michigan
University, teaching English for a year in Ashdod,
Israel, and coming back to school here, Metro Detroit
feels like home to me. My family, friends and so many
people are here. I think it’s important to keep this
community thriving and to make it your own.
Q: You spend your days working for Bloomfield
Public Schools — tell us more.
JF: I am a DeafBlind Intervener. I work with stu-
dents that are DeafBlind, and make learning acces-
sible to them. A typical day involves me collaborating
with teachers on what needs to be taught and then
modifying the assignments for the students in Braille
or whatever communication mode they need. I’m
also an American Sign Language interpreter in the
community and freelance as well!
NJP
(Nice Jewish Person)
Josh Finn
Each month, The
Well highlights an
amazing (and eligible!)
individual. The Well
has agreed to share
its Q & As with these
amazing singles with
the JN. This month, The
Well has a conversation
with NJP Josh Finn.
52
February 8 • 2018
jn
Q: Have you always been passionate about
American Sign Language? How did that passion come
about?
JF: Yes! In fourth grade, there was a disability
awareness day. It totally changed my life. We learned
the American Sign Language (ASL) alphabet, and I
went home and practiced. A few years later, I signed
up for classes and learned even more. Eventually,
I minored in ASL at Central Michigan and went to
interpreting school at Oakland Community College
later on. I became certified in April 2017 through the
state of Michigan.
Q: You’re a graduate of Central Michigan University
and Oakland Community College. What was Jewish
life like there?
JF: At Central, I was involved with Hillel right away.
It was a close-knit group, and we loved planning fun
events. Central has a smaller Jewish community. You
could find me typing away notes at our meetings and
planning programs like “Happy Meal Hannukkah,”
or “Make Your Bubbie Proud Shabbat.” At OCC, I
became more involved with the Jewish Federation of
Metro Detroit’s NEXTGen.
Q: What’s your favorite book and what about it
moves you?
JF: My favorite book is Broadway Musicals, Show by
Show. I’m a theater geek. The book outlines musicals
from the early 1900s until the early 2000s. It’s inter-
esting to see how musicals and theater have trans-
formed over the years. I like that the book explains
how the show came about, who the cast were and
songs that have changed or stayed the same in the
revivals.
Q: Where would you most like to travel to that you
haven’t visited?
JF: I would die to go to Antarctica. Yes, living in
Michigan, we basically live in Antarctica already.
When I was in seventh grade, my dad’s coworker was
a researcher there, and it always looked so beautiful.
I would love to see penguins and explore. That … or
somewhere warmer like the Maldives.
Q: How do you like to give back to the community/
others?
JF: I love educating people on American Sign
Language as well as participating in pride events. I
am a part of the LGBTQ community and am on the
committee for NEXTGen Pride, which plans events
for LGBTQ individuals and allies. It’s a super fun way
to get out there showing people what Jewish LGBTQ
life is all about.
Q: What’s your favorite Jewish holiday and why?
JF: Chanukah, by far. I love the family traditions
surrounding it, and I love being with family. I love to
gift give, and I love latkes and everything about the
holiday. My mom bakes unreal cookies, and we just
have a fun time together. It also reminds me of my
late grandparents and their traditions, which mean a
lot to me.
Q: Fave Jewish food?
JF: Kugel. Latkes. Matzah ball soup … oh, and for
sure, a bagel and shmear.
Q: If you could ask your pet three questions, what
would they be?
JF: I’d probably ask Baela, my 2-year-old black cat,
if she really likes being held, why she’s so obsessed
with her blue string and why is she so stinkin’ cute?
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of ?
JF: Becoming a certified ASL interpreter. I have
chased that dream since 1998, and it’s so nice to
finally be certified.
Q: How about a fun fact?
JF: As a kid, I was on the cover of the Life cereal
box for a week. I got third place in a contest in kin-
dergarten, and I still have one of the boxes.
Q: What are your three favorite movies?
JF: It’s tough, but Déjà Vu, Stranger Than Fiction
and Miss Congeniality.
Q: When you’ve had a bad day, what do you do to
make yourself feel better?
JF: I bake up a storm. I can make cake, cookies,
breads, cupcakes … you name it. I “stress bake” and
watch The Great British Bake Off. It’s a guilty pleasure
of mine.
Q: Would you rather win an Olympic Medal, an
Academy Award or a Nobel Prize?
JF: An Academy award, so I could thank all the
amazing people in my life and meet Ellen DeGeneres,
of course! •
Matt Weiner is assistant director of The Well. Read more at
meetyouatthewell.org. Want to meet Josh? Email Rabbi Dan
Horwitz at dan@meetyouatthewell.org for an introduction.