22 | JUNE 17 • 2021
OUR COMMUNITY
I
f Micki were here to accept
this award, she would prob-
ably start out saying that
she would prefer there wasn’t
an award to receive because
Sheri was still here volunteer-
ing.”
These poignant words were
shared by Marci Grossman
during the May Annual Meeting
of the Jewish Community
Relations Council/American
Jewish Committee (JCRC/AJC).
Marci, daughter of the late
Micki Grossman, was accepting
the inaugural Sheryl “Sheri”
Terebelo Schiff Heart of Gold
Award on behalf of her mother.
Early last year, the commu-
nity lost a beloved member and
lifelong volunteer in Sheri Schiff.
Throughout her life, she served
as either a volunteer or board
member for countless Jewish,
women-focused and interfaith
nonprofits in Metro Detroit,
including JCRC/AJC. That is
why the organization knew they
needed to honor her giving spir-
it following her passing.
They joined with her hus-
band, Charles, and daughters,
Carly and Stephanie, to develop
the Heart of Gold Award in the
hope to inspire others to give
of themselves for the benefit of
Jewish Detroit. More specifi-
cally, the awardee would be an
unpaid volunteer for any local
Jewish organization that has not
only contributed to and for the
general good of the Jewish com-
munity, but also has demon-
strated dedication, knowledge
and care in the provision of
their services. The award could
be given posthumously.
“What better way to remem-
ber my mother, Sheri Schiff,
the ultimate volunteer, than to
honor her memory by applaud-
ing others who have donated
significant time to our Jewish
community?” said Carly Schiff
during the awards ceremony.
Sadly, just days before the
nomination form was to be
distributed this past January, the
community lost Grossman, who
also served on countless boards,
including with JCRC/AJC.
Several nominations came in
specifically for her and, for the
Award Committee, choosing
Grossman, a volunteer extraor-
dinaire, as the inaugural recipi-
ent was both the obvious choice
and extremely fitting.
Also speaking about both
women during the awards
ceremony in May were Jewish
Family Service’s CEO Perry
Ohren and former JCRC
President Jeannie Weiner.
“Micki was a force of nature!”
Ohren said. “She showed up
decades ago at JFS with her
sleeves rolled up, started doing
and never stopped … While she
understood the importance of
boards and fundraising and the
like, Micki’s real currency was
her heart and her hands, always
ready, willing and able to do.
”
During her acceptance
remarks, Marci Grossman said,
“She passionately loved her
volunteer engagements, and
the people she volunteered
with and for. She lived tikkun
olam … She would sit in board
meetings, mentor volunteers,
tutor students, pack boxes, rake
leaves, serve food, whatever it
took with the same energy and
passion — 100%.
“Micki would implore you
to continue reaching out, to
connect with more volunteers,
and to support more people and
communities that would benefit
from your assistance to make
their lives better. Together we
can repair the world.
”
Both women are and will
always be greatly missed.
Nominations for the second
annual Sheryl “Sheri” Terebelo
Schiff Heart of Gold Award will
be accepted in early 2022 and
awarded at JCRC/AJC’s May
2022 Annual Meeting.
The late Micki Grossman receives inaugural volunteer award.
Heart of Gold
LAUREN GARFIELD-HERRIN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
Sheri Schiff
and Micki
Grossman
flank a
woman at
an interfaith
event.
Micki Grossman
JCRC/AJC
JCRC/AJC