Q

: How did you decide to 
make your adult life in Metro 
Detroit?
MS: I am from Farmington Hills, 
born and raised, so my intent from the 
get-go was to stay in the Detroit area. 
I majored in film and video studies at 
Western Michigan University, and my 
original goal was to stay in the area for 
the up-and-coming Michigan film indus-
try, but we all know how that worked 
out. I thought about just up and moving 
to Los Angeles when the film incentives 
fell through but decided being close to 
family was too important for me to leave 
without trying to make something work 
here. I naturally fell into a career working 
with Jewish nonprofits in the develop-
ment, marketing and communications 
departments, and I have no regrets about 
sticking around. 
Q: You spend your days working as 
the marketing and communications 
associate at Frankel Jewish Academy — 
tell us more! 
MS: I am more than six months into 
my role at FJA, and I couldn’
t be more 
proud to work for such an amazing 
school filled with wonderful faculty, staff 
and students. I run the school’
s social 
media accounts, send out communica-
tions to parents, students and communi-
ty members, as well as take photos and 
videos to help showcase FJA. I am excit-
ed to go to work every day because this 
role allows me to dive into my creativity, 
and that is something I have been crav-
ing in my work life. 
Q: Before FJA you were working at 
Jewish Vocational Services. What do 
you love about working in the Jewish 
community? 

MS: Being Jewish has always been a 
major part of my identity. Although I 
am not the most observant, I try to keep 
up with the traditions and the cultural 
aspects of being Jewish. When I was in 
Kalamazoo, there wasn’
t a very large 
Jewish community, especially compared 
to Metro Detroit, so while I was there, 
I felt the lack of community, especially 
because I was previously involved in 
organizations such as BBYO and Shir 
Shalom Monday night school; so without 
that connection for four years, I missed 
that sense of a Jewish community. I 
knew when I moved back I wanted to be 
involved, and it ended up working out 
that I was able to make this into a career. 
I feel much more connected immersing 
myself in a Jewish organization five days 
a week.
Q: In your spare time, you also work 
as a freelance photographer. What 
kinds of photos are your specialty?
MS: I love taking photos of people … 
there is nothing like capturing genuine 
emotion through the lens. If you know 
me, you know that I am an extremely 
social person and I love making connec-
tions with other people. It is definitely 
my “thing.
”
Q: It certainly seems like the arts/
creative endeavors are a big part of 
your life. How did those passions come 
about?
MS: Definitely a right-brainer over 
here! I have always been into any kind of 
art (when I was little, I apparently could 
sit with a coloring book for hours). My 
passions started in high school when I 
took photography classes and worked 
with the school’
s television station. Along 
with just loving the subjects, the teachers 

made a lasting impact on me. Shout out 
to Mr. Deeb and Mr. Cobb! 
Q: What’
s your favorite book and 
what about it moves you?
MS: So, this is a little funny but it is 
true, I have never been able to sit down 
and read a series of books … other than 
the Harry Potter books. To this day, 
they’
re still my favorites. I couldn’
t put 
them down! The whole journey and the 
mind of JK Rowling is just …wow. 
Q: What’
s your funniest childhood 
story?
MS: None of my funniest childhood 
stories are appropriate to publish but get 
to know me and I will gladly oblige! 
Q: What fictional place would you 
most like to travel to and why? 
MS: Definitely Diagon Alley … but, 
thankfully, I can go to Universal and 
kind of make my dreams come true! 
Q: How do you like to give back to 
the community/others?
MS: I enjoy doing little things that 
make people smile, like noticing some-
one’
s new haircut and complimenting 
them on it or something as simple as just 
holding the door for someone. It’
s the lit-
tle things that can make someone’
s day. 
Q: What’
s your favorite Jewish holi-
day and why? 
MS: I love Rosh Hashanah because my 
parents usually host and I get to spend 
the day with them and help out. Not to 

mention, Dina’
s brisket is the best brisket. 
Q: What accomplishment are you 
most proud of?
MS: There were a lot of times that 
I doubted myself (getting into college, 
graduating from college, going through 
something that I didn’
t think I would 
ever get over), but I have proven myself 
wrong every time and always come out 
stronger than ever. 
Q: Would you rather win an Olympic 
Medal (for what sport?), an Academy 
Award (in what category?) or Nobel 
Prize (in what)?
MS: Academy Award, Best Supporting 
Actress. I am usually behind camera, 
but people have asked if I act before … 
I think it is just because I am animated 
and maybe a little goofy. I think I would 
make an awesome supporting actress. 
Q: Best movie ever made, hands 
down?
MS: It is really hard to choose just one, 
but one that comes to mind is The Red 
Violin. I think it is a really underrated 
movie and the story is truly incredible. 
Q: How about a fun fact?
MS: I am pretty competitive when it 
comes to any type of game … I can defi-
nitely beat anyone in Boggle. ■

Read more at meetyouatthewell.org. Want to 
meet Marlee? Email Rabbi Dan Horwitz at dan@
meetyouatthewell.org for an introduction.

42 August 22 • 2019
jn

MARISA MEYERSON SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Matchmaker, 
Matchmaker, 
Matchmaker
Matchmaker

NJP (Nice Jewish Person) 
Marlee Shifman

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 Marlee Shifman.

moments

COURTESY OF THE WELL

