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