JUNE 8 • 2023 | 21
A
lec Dorf of Bloomfield Hills
was in ninth grade when his
mother Lisa passed away from
cancer. The challenges of helping with
end-of-life care, on top of the isolation
of the COVID lockdown, became the
defining moments for him to create a
new program to help his fellow high
schoolers deal with the loss of a parent.
The Lisa Project, named after his
mother Lisa Dorf (z”l), helps grieving
teens connect peer-to-peer to share
their experience, feelings and strength.
It also helps them design activities that,
according to Dorf, “help you expand in
ways so that the experience of tragedy
doesn’t hold you back.”
Activities include encouraging
students to make a playlist of favorite
songs and videos, writing down feelings,
listening to podcasts, being active and
reading. Dorf also has tips for teachers,
providing ways they can support
students grieving the loss of a parent.
“Just having a smile on your face,
positive reinforcements, giving students
time for themselves. If you have a
teacher who is positive, it truly makes a
difference.”
Dorf brought the program to his
Bloomfield Hills High School first and
has plans to expand it to other local high
schools with the goal to help as many
students as possible.
MyJewishDetroit (MJD) recently sat
down to talk with Alec about his project.
MJD: How has the process of starting
The Lisa Project shaped (or reshaped)
your sense of Jewish values, particularly
tikkun olam and healing the world?
Alec: Starting The Lisa Project helped
me grasp a better understanding of
what tikkun olam is; and by trying
to help many people, you get a better
understanding of what it means to
actively heal the world.
MJD: What would you say to a young
person who has a passion to heal the
world and help others?
Alec: To someone with a passion for
doing good, I would say don’t be afraid
to act on it, even if it’s just one small
idea. If you put that idea into action,
it can have a big impact on our world
today.
MJD: Why is personal connection of
the kind The Lisa Project helps engender
so important to young people going
through the grieving process?
Alec: I feel like when you are grieving,
it is better to not go through it alone,
and it is so important to have an outlet
where you can communicate, share
feelings and be valuable to people who
could be dealing with the same feelings
you have.
MJD: Can you tell us a little bit about
the work your father Stu is doing to
expand the reach of The Lisa Project to
recently widowed spouses?
Alec: My dad is helping expand The
Lisa Project by adding a part called
Lisa’s Kitchen, where he will be doing
videos of easy and healthy recipes that a
widowed parent can prepare.
MJD: Is there anything else you want
people to know about The Lisa Project
and/or your journey to becoming a
catalyst for change?
Alec: Yes, I spoke on behalf of the
National Brain Tumor Society to
Congress on May 8-9 to advocate for
better and more accessible mental
health options and more funding for
brain tumor research. As well, I was
highlighted at the State of the County.
With a clear desire to help others,
Dorf reflects, “I’m happy that this is
getting awareness. Mental health is a
very big deal, and I want people in my
situation to succeed and have nothing
to hold them back. If I can be a small
part of that, that would make me feel so
great.”
To learn more, visit https://thelisaproject.net.
The
Lisa Project
Teen help teens deal with the loss of a parent.
MYJEWISHDETROIT.ORG
Alec
Dorf
Alec Dorf and
his late mom,
Lisa Dorf
JOHN HARDWICK