ARTS&LIFE
BENEFITS

A

s Hadassah Greater Detroit makes 
accommodations for the Judi 
Schram Annual Meeting — for those 
attending in person or virtually — there will 
be a lot of inspiration.
Much of it will come from the guest speak-
er, film and TV actress Marlee Matlin, known 
for developing an award-winning career and 
maintaining strong relationships as a wife and 
mother — all while moving beyond the deaf 
community and leading others to advance 
along with her. 
Matlin’s topic, to be expressed Tuesday, 
Oct. 5, at Adat Shalom Synagogue, will be 
“Living Generously: Healing the World One 
Person at a Time.” The message relates to 
the healing work done through Hadassah 
medical facilities in Israel and programs that 
empower women and support at-risk youth.
“Our guest, Marlee Matlin, who is a life 
member of Hadassah, represents the women 
of our organization so well,” said Fran 
Heicklen, Hadassah Greater Detroit presi-
dent. “She works to raise awareness for causes 
dear to her — the deaf community, LGBTQ 
rights, diversity, humanitarian needs, domes-
tic violence and addiction. 
“
As Hadassah women, we support the same 
issues, also striving to heal the world one per-
son at a time.”
 Before and after Matlin takes the podium, 
there will be a series of shopping opportuni-
ties and the availability of boxed lunches.
In the evening, at Congregation Beth Ahm, 
there will be a tribute dinner honoring Elaine 
and Stephen Sturman for their dynamic 
activities in the Michigan Jewish community. 
She has been a 30-year member of Hadassah 
and served as chapter and region president, 
earning the Hadassah National Leadership 
Award. Together they are active in many 
organizations, including the Ecumenical 
Institute for Jewish-Christian Studies, the 
Anti-Defamation League and the Jewish 
Ensemble Theatre.
In 2018, Matlin told Oregon Jewish Life how 
she grew up in a Reform family and had her 
bat mitzvah at Congregation Bene Shalom in 

Skokie, Ill., a synagogue for both hearing and 
deaf members. 
“I had the benefit of a rabbi who could 
sign,” she said. “I learned how to speak 
Hebrew phonetically, and I signed and spoke.”
She is in the midst of promoting her latest 
film, CODA (child of a deaf adult), which 
won the Grand Jury Prize and Audience 
Award at the Sundance Film Festival. Matlin 
portrays the mother in a family of four. It was 
released in August and is now on Apple TV+.
The plot involves parents and a son depen-
dent on the daughter because only she is able 
to hear. They all must deal with her interest 
in leaving home to pursue a singing career. 
A strong advocate for the deaf communi-
ty, Matlin was instrumental in pushing for 
ensemble cast members who represented 
the talents to be found in that community. 
She recently discussed her activities on CBS 
Sunday Morning, where she appeared with 
award-winning actor Henry Winkler and his 
wife, Stacey, valued mentors who even had 
her as a houseguest for two years.
The Winklers became aware of Matlin after 
he noticed her talents at an arts festival. Years 
later, they helped her recover following her 
hospitalization for substance abuse.
“Sobriety is the hardest thing,” she recently 
told CBS Sunday Morning, explaining how 
recovery remains one day at a time while 
she is so grateful for the guidance of the 
Winklers. She revealed life experiences in her 
book I’ll Scream Later.
Matlin, 45, who won the Academy Award 
at 21 for Children of a Lesser God, also has 
been in many TV shows, including The West 
Wing, Seinfeld and Dancing With the Stars.
Before and after the Matlin presentation, 
visitors can shop at nearly 20 boutique sta-
tions offering unique purchases that include 
clothing, jewelry and crystal.
Matlin told the Oregon Jewish publication: 
“I am happy to have the opportunity to speak 
in front of other members of the Jewish com-
munity and talk about my story and how I 
basically wouldn’t be where I am today if it 
weren’t for my Jewish upbringing.” 

Like Hadassah, she wants to heal 
the world one person at a time. 
Matlin’s Message

SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

40 | SEPTEMBER 30 • 2021 
 
 
 

Details Hadassah Annual Meeting 
programs offered Tuesday, Oct. 5, at 
Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington 
Hills: boutiques 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., boxed 
lunches from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 
the speaker at 1 p.m. $75 in person, $30 
boxed lunch and $54 virtual ticket. Raffle 
tickets are available without attendance 
starting at five for $25. The Sturman 
dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. at Congregation 
Beth Ahm in West Bloomfield. $136. 
Proof of vaccination and masks are 
required for in-person activities. 
Reservations: hadassahmidwest.org/
GDannualmeeting. Questions: (248) 683-
5030, greaterdetroit@hadassah.org.

Actress/activist Marlee Matlin will 
headline Hadassah’s Annual Meeting. 

Hadassah 
honorees 
Elaine and 
Stephen 
Sturman

BRETT FREEDMAN
PAUL STOLOFF PHOTOGRAPHY

