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

