28 | OCTOBER 28 • 2021 she danced 13 styles of ballroom dance, including bolero, fox trot, rumba and salsa, in her first National Fred Astaire Competition in Orlando in 2019. After her life-changing surgery, Finsilver became determined to offer other sufferers the same support that she received from the Iowa farmer and started the first International Essential Tremor Foundation (IETF) support group for Michigan patients. “The group became very successful, with 300 members in Michigan, so I was then invited to join the board of the IETF and eventually became the president,” explains Finsilver, now 71, who cur- rently has the role of vice president. She has received recog- nition for her work, being awarded the Spirit of Hope Award by the IETF in 2011, appearing on the front cover of the organization’s magazine. Now she is being rec- ognized by JVS Human Services at their Trade Secrets event, and says she feels a kinship with the women who have rein- vented their lives by taking part in Women to Work. “Although my circumstanc- es have been different, I do understand how many women have faced chal- lenges and worked hard to overcome them. For me, my life took a dramatic turn after brain surgery, and I have worked hard to pay it forward since then,” she said. OUR COMMUNITY Information about Women to Work: JVS Human Services’ Women to Work program began more than 30 years ago when it was called Displaced Homemakers. Then funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, the aim was to help women whose life circumstances had changed through events like divorce, bereavement or financial disruption. Since that time, more than 2,000 women have been through the program, finding a new direction for their working lives. After intensive assessment, testing and job search training, these women emerge with renewed self-confidence, market-ready job skills and an action plan. Upon completion of the program, 85% of the program’s participants find employment or enroll in further training. Shari Finsilver making her accep- tance award speech for IETF’s Spirit of Hope Award in 2010. continued from page 27 N EXTGen Detroit is dropping the mic and raising a tent for its annual EPIC event — all part of a yearlong 10th anniversary celebration that’s proving to be more about changing things than upholding traditions. An EPIC Night at the Carnival — brought to the community by Sue & Alan J. Kaufman & Family — will take place Nov. 6 at the new M1 Concourse Event Center in Pontiac. Traditionally held every spring, except for last year due to COVID-19, EPIC has consis- tently drawn 500+ young Jewish Detroiters to celebrate and sup- port their community. But with concerns about large gatherings inside, NEXTGen Detroit took this year as an opportunity to reinvent EPIC, and the many innovations mean that even the most seasoned EPIC guests are in for something new. “The pandemic has made event planning incredibly chal- lenging, but it also has pushed us to think outside the box and reinvent annual events that have run their course, ” said Adam Sherman, EPIC co-chair. “We’ve loved sitting down in a theater for a comedy show for the last eight EPICs, but we’re also ready for something fun and different. ” Standup comedians were the headlining entertainment for all the previous EPIC events, which over the years were held at MGM Casino, the Renaissance Center, the State Theater and most recently the State Savings Bank in Detroit. But this year, EPIC has left the theater and is popping up at the M1 Concourse Event Center in the form of an after-dark carnival under an open-air tent that will be large enough for the anticipated 300 guests to enjoy the evening and spread out. “We’re so excited to be creating An EPIC Night at the Carnival in this new event space and thankful that we can put this together in a COVID-conscious and safe way for our guests, ” said Samantha Foon, EPIC co-chair. “We are bringing together the best elements of any carnival — the games and prizes, the characters and entertainment, the excitement in the air, all that great fair food and, of course, we have some surprises up our sleeves. ” In addition to being a highly anticipated night out, EPIC is a chance for young Jewish Detroiters ages 21-45 to make a significant impact on their community. Each guest is asked to make a minimum of donation of $100 to Federation’s 2022 Annual Campaign to attend. You can get tickets and learn more at jewishdetroit.org/EPIC. “An EPIC Night at the Carnival” is totally reimagined and ready to wow. ‘EPIC’ Changes for NEXTGen Detroit’s Annual Big Event BECKY MAISTER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS