MARISA MEYERSON SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Matchmaker Matchmaker Q : How did you decide to make your adult life in Metro Detroit? SF: I was born and raised in Michigan, so I always knew I wanted to live here. Plus, my parents grew up around the Metro area, so it just seemed natural. Q: You spend your days doing video editing at ABC 7 — tell us more! SF: Well, I’ m a video editor for the news, specifically promotions. I edit “commercial-like teases” for stories that air (usually before the 5, 6 or 11 p.m., newscasts). It’ s challenging, but editing is my passion. I’ m lucky to be able to say I get to do what I love for a living; plus, it doesn’ t hurt to be able to see my work on television! Q: You also work as a videographer for weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs and other special events. What do you love about that job? SF: First off, I’ m very grateful to my friend Adam Luger for allowing me to join his team of talented professionals who do this job. What I love most is being able to capture these moments for people that they will be able to hold on to and treasure. I feel very grateful to be a part of their journey and to give them this gift that they will remember for years to come. Q: It’ s clear from your jobs that the arts and creativity are important to you. Where else has that been present in your life? SF: My grandfather is one of the funniest people I know. When he was younger, he was in the arts doing pan- tomime acts and acting in movies and commercials. He was always entertaining us when we were younger. I believe he’ s where I get my talent from. I mean, the guy can tell me a joke now that makes my family and me burst out laughing, and he’ s 94! Q: You’ ve performed quite a bit, as both a musician and actor. What’ s been your favorite performance? SF: Hmm. This is a tough one. My favorite performance as a musician would be the time my bandmate Josh Zimberg and I walked into the Leo’ s Coney Island on Main Street and started playing “Hey Jude. ” The entire restau- rant sang along. It was beautiful. We got thrown out shortly after. As an actor, I recently performed one of my grandfa- ther’ s own routines for him during his 94th birthday party as a surprise. The look on his face was priceless. It made him incredibly happy, and it’ s a moment I’ ll never forget. Q: You have a tattoo that says “Slow Down” and looks like a road sign. Can you tell us more about that? SF: I do! This is hard to explain in a few sentences, but the gist of it is that life is too short and hectic — we need to remind ourselves to slow down when our thoughts and feelings start to snow- ball, take a breath and calm ourselves. As someone with anxiety, I remind myself all the time to breathe and slow down when life seems out of control. Additionally, one of my mother’ s broth- ers passed away at a young age, and it was then I realized that life can pass by pretty quick, so I wear it as a reminder to myself and to others. I also have two other tattoos, but those are stories for another time … Q: Where would you most like to travel to that you haven’ t visited? SF: Probably France. I took French throughout high school and college, so I’ d like to try and test my remembrance of the language where it’ s spoken at some point. Plus, I hear it’ s a beautiful place to visit. Q: How do you like to give back to the community/others? SF: I give every year to the Human Fund and, when I can, I give to causes that hit home. I’ m trying to reach out to the community more and hope to be able to with the aid of The Well. Q: What’ s your favorite Jewish holi- day and why? SF: My favorite Jewish holiday would have to be Chanukah. It always reminds me of when my family used to have a big gathering and we’ d get presents and sing and dance. It was a blast. My mother also makes the best homemade latkes on this Earth. Q: Fav Jewish food? SF: Besides my mom’ s latkes, it may be strange to some, but I love gefilte fish. My grandmother used to make it from scratch and it’ s absolutely delicious. Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of? SF: I went on Birthright the summer of 2010 by myself. This was huge for me as I never really traveled much, and I got to connect with my Israeli cousins for the first time. And not only that, I met one of my best friends and even stood up in his wedding. Q: Would you rather win an Olympic Medal (for what sport?), an Academy Award (in what category?) or Nobel Prize (in what)? SF: I would definitely want to win an Academy Award — for either acting or editing. It’ s honestly a long-term goal. I think it’ ll happen. Q: Best movie ever made, hands down? SF: It’ s tough, but it’ s gotta be Shrek the Third. KIDDING! This is another tough one, but it’ s a toss-up between 2001: A Space Odyssey, Back to the Future, That Thing You Do, Shawshank Redemption, Casablanca and Fargo. Q: How about a fun fact? SF: I was a stand-in for Jesse Eisenberg in the movie 30 Minutes or Less. I got to hang with him, Aziz Ansari, Nick Swardson and Danny McBride for eight weeks in Grand Rapids. My hand is also in the trailer. ■ Read more at meetyouatthewell.org. Want to meet Scotty? Email Rabbi Dan Horwitz at dan@ meetyouatthewell.org for an introduction. moments 30 March 21 • 2019 jn NJP (Nice Jewish Person) Scotty Felsenfeld 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 Scotty Felsenfeld.