42 | DECEMBER 29 • 2022 

ARTS&LIFE
ART

F

or decades, Mark Schlussel has 
played a vital role in developing 
Metro Detroit’s Jewish community 
and healthcare system.
As a longtime attorney, managing 
member of Schlussel and Shefman 
Law Firm, past president of the Jewish 
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and 
CEO of Curus, which manages healthcare 
solutions, Schlussel has led a vibrant and 
impactful career. 
He was also one of two founding 
co-chairs of the Jewish Fund, which was 
developed from the sale proceeds of Sinai 
Hospital to Detroit Medical Center. Now, 
the Jewish Fund has distributed more 
than $70 million in grants into the Jewish 
community.
Schlussel is also a strong supporter 
of The Heroes Circle inspired by Kids 
Kicking Cancer, a program that uses 
martial arts as a therapy to reduce pain 

experienced by children with an 
illness. In fact, he helped secure 
the initial funding that launched 
the organization, which is now 
committed to helping 1 million 
children worldwide.
Most recently, Schlussel was 
honored for his contribution 
to the organization at the Kids 
Kicking Cancer’s Heroes Circle 
Global Staff Conference on Dec. 
5 in Southfield.

LIFE FROM A DIFFERENT 
PERSPECTIVE
While Schlussel’s dedication and impact 
are felt by thousands today, the 82-year-old 
philanthropist is turning his creative vision 
toward a personal endeavor: painting.
“
As you age, you look at life from a lot 
of different perspectives,” he explains. “
As 
I look at my artwork, it’s a reflection of 

different periods of my 
life during the last 25 
years.”
A quarter-century 
ago, while working at 
a major national law 
firm, Schlussel always 
found himself dood-
ling. One day, a fellow 
attorney walked by 
and noticed Schlussel’s 
doodles. “He said, 
‘That’s really interest-
ing,’” Schlussel recalls. 
“‘Why don’t you try it 
in color?’”
Encouraged by his colleague, Schlussel 
went home and bought pencils, colored 
pencils and parchment paper. He then 
called his friend, Bob Aronson, former 
CEO at Federation, who was a gifted 
printmaker, for advice. Aronson told 

Jewish community leader Mark Schlussel 
finds enrichment in painting.

Creative 
Expression

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Mark Schlussel