S

ome people “put their roots down” 
when they move to a new place. 
Jacob Gottlieb put his roots 
down in Metro Detroit’s Jewish com-
munity when he was born, has grown 
within it and is here to stay 
as a strong asset to the com-
munity. 
Gottlieb, 32, was born and 
raised in Metro Detroit and is a 
graduate of Hillel Day School, 
Frankel Jewish Academy and 
University of Michigan. 
Gottlieb is now the 
chief advancement officer at JARC in 
Bloomfield Hills, a nonprofit organiza-
tion that supports adults with develop-
mental disabilities in the home of their 
choice. Throughout his time at JARC, 
he has played various roles to support 
the needs of the organization.
JARC receives 80% of its funding from 
the government, which helps to provide 
the essentials — staffing to support the 
adults they serve, food, shelter, etc. 

But that’s not the whole pie, and that 
80% often isn’t enough. JARC fund-
raises the other 20% itself, and Gottlieb 
leads that effort to make sure they raise 
about $2 million a year. 
“It’s filling the gap of stuff that 
makes life worth living,” Gottlieb said. 
“Activities, transportation, holiday cele-
brations, all the little extra stuff.” 
One of Gottlieb’s proudest accom-
plishments took place last year on the 
Jewish Federation’s Motor City Mission 
to Israel. 
JARC raised money to allow two 
people JARC serves to go on that trip. 
Gottlieb and another staff member, 
Shira Woodside, also went on the trip 
to provide staff support. 
“It was truly so life-changing for 
those adults visiting Israel for the first 
time and, without JARC, wouldn’t have 
been able to have that experience,” 
Gottlieb said. “It was really satisfying 
that we were able to raise that money 
and experience it with them.”

Jacob Gottlieb is the chief advancement officer at JARC.
Here to Stay, Here to Help

Jacob 
Gottlieb

DANNY SCHWARTZ SENIOR STAFF REPORTER

NEXT DOR
VOICES OF A NEW GENERATION

34 | JULY 11 • 2024 
J
N

Brooke Dunn, 

Shira Woodside, 
Jacob Gottlieb 
and Jonathan 
Arens in the 
North of Israel

Jacob Gottlieb at 

JARC’s Ellen Labes 
Festival Series 
Carnival in 2023