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