JUNE 2 • 2022 | 25

I

n 2020, after the passing of Sheryl 
“Sheri” Schiff, one of Metropolitan 
Detroit’s extraordinary volunteers, it 
was obvious to the Jewish Community 
Relations Council/American Jewish 
Committee (JCRC/AJC) that the organiza-
tion needed to honor their longtime board 
member in some way.
Later that year, staff from JCRC/AJC 
joined with her family to create the Sheryl 
“Sheri” Terebelo Schiff Heart 
of Gold Award. This acco-
lade, given yearly at the May 
annual meeting, would go to 
an unpaid volunteer for any 
Jewish organization that serves 
the local community. All recip-
ients must have contributed to 
and for the general good of the 
Jewish community and demonstrated dedi-
cation, knowledge and care in the provision 
of these services.
“This award recognizes individuals 
who carry on the legacy of Sheri Schiff’s 
passionate and devoted commitment to 
the Jewish community and its values,
” said 
Rabbi Asher Lopatin, executive director of 
JCRC/AJC. 
The first award was bestowed in May 
2021, posthumously, to the late Micki 
Grossman, whom Sheri worked close-
ly with on JCRC/AJC’s Mitzvah Day, as 
well as other community projects such as 
Bookstock.
In March, when the award committee 
met to determine its second recipient, the 
group was touched by the many nomina-
tions they received from fellow communal 
organizations. However, one stood out 
above others — the one for MSU Hillel’s 
Board President Patrice “Patti” Morris 
Phillips. 
In the form, MSU Hillel Executive 
Director Cindy Hughey noted that Phillips 
has been an active member of the Detroit 

Jewish community for more than 30 years. 
In that time, she has served on the Jewish 
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit’s Board 
of Governors, representing her family’s 
foundation, the Prentis Family Support 
Foundation, and on the board of Temple 
Beth El, among others. 
She also has volunteered and supported 
Federation’s Annual Campaign, Bookstock, 
Jewish Family Service, Tamarack Camps, 
Hadassah, National Council of Jewish 
Women, Hebrew Free Loan and many 
more organizations, both in the Jewish and 
general community. Surprisingly, this past 
chair of the Jewish Women’s Foundation 
has never been widely recognized for her 
commitment to the community. 
“We are so fortunate to have such a dedi-
cated and generous person like Patti in our 
community, Hughey said. Her commitment 
to the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan 
Detroit and agencies like mine is remark-
able. MSU Hillel and the Hillel Campus 
Alliance of Michigan would not have 
become the dynamic and vibrant organiza-
tions we are today without her vision and 
support.
”
Carly Schiff, one of Sheri’s beloved 
daughters, presented the award to Phillips. 
“Patti has worked quietly and tirelessly to 
make our community a better place,
” she 
said. “She truly deserved to receive this 
award because she, like my mother, has a 
heart of gold and gives back to our Jewish 
community without any expectation of 
acknowledgement.
”
Prior to becoming a lifelong volunteer, 
the daughter of Jewell and Lester Morris, 
for whom MSU Hillel’s building is named, 
attended Grosse Pointe University School 
and Kingswood School/Cranbrook before 
heading to Michigan State University and 
Drake University, where she received a 
degree in journalism. Following graduation, 
she worked in advertising and public rela-

tions for Barnum and Bailey Circus and at 
Kenyon Eckhardt Advertising. 
“I am so honored to have received the 
Sheryl ‘Sheri’ Terebelo Schiff Heart of Gold 
Award,
” Phillips said. “The work that Sheri 
and Micki did in the community was the 
platinum standard. I was fortunate to vol-
unteer alongside both of them in the past.
”

Phillips is married to Dr. Eric Phillips, 
with whom she has two daughters, Jennifer 
Phillips-Weckstein, who is married to 
Daniel and has two children, Liam and 
Ellery, and Rachel Bigio, who is married to 
Joey. 
The nomination form for the third 
Sheryl “Sheri” Terebelo Schiff Heart of 
Gold Award will be made available in 
January 2023. 

Patti Morris Phillips named winner of the second annual 
award honoring amazing volunteers in our community.
Heart of Gold Winner

Patti Morris 
Phillips

LAUREN GARFIELD-HERRIN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

“WE ARE SO 
FORTUNATE TO HAVE 
SUCH A DEDICATED 
AND GENEROUS 
PERSON LIKE PATTI 
IN OUR COMMUNITY. 
HER COMMITMENT 
TO THE JEWISH 
FEDERATION OF 
METROPOLITAN 
DETROIT AND 
AGENCIES LIKE MINE 

IS REMARKABLE.”

— CINDY HUGHEY

