JEWISH NEWS

THE DETROIT

Nominations for The Detroit Jewish News’ annual 36 under 36 are now open to recognize 
doers, activists, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, community organizers and other young 
Jewish professionals reshaping and broadening Metro Detroit’s Jewish community.

Do you know someone making an impact in 
the community for this special honor?

 36 UNDER 36 

Nominations Now Open!

A special group of volunteer judges will be reviewing submissions and choosing the 36 winners. 
Honorees will receive a free subscription to the JN and be featured in a February 2024 issue.

GO ONLINE TO THEJEWISHNEWS.COM AND SUBMIT 
YOUR NOMINATION BY DECEMBER 29, 2024

Do you know someone who 
gives of themselves to the 
community in robust — and 
often thankless — ways? 

 
Someone you admire 
and aspire to be like?

Someone whose accomplishments 
you want to celebrate?

18 | FEBRUARY 15 • 2024 

ABIGAIL 
EPSTEIN
Abigail Epstein, 
a native of West 
Bloomfield, 
takes pride in 
being a member of the 
Detroit Jewish community, 
finding a sense of fortune 
in the unique and vibrant 
community that has helped 
shape her identity today.
Her formative years were 
enriched by summers at 
Camp Tamarack, a mission 
to Israel and involvement in 
BBYO, laying the foundation 
for a lifelong connection to 
Judaism. This deep-rooted 
commitment is evident in 
her current roles, where she 
serves on NEXTGen Detroit’s 
General and Executive 
boards, as well as the Board 
of Trustees for Adat Shalom.
In her professional life, 
Abigail serves as a dedicated 
director of human resources, 
balancing her career with 
cherished moments spent 
with her two children, 
Penelope and Arthur, 
and her beloved husband, 
Jonathan. 
In 2023, she achieved 
one of her bucket list goals 
by becoming a published 
children’s book author. 
Her commitment extends 
beyond personal and 
professional realms; she is 
devoted to contributing to 
the community’s growth. 
Through her involvement, 
she strives to ensure the 
creation and sustenance of 
a vibrant Jewish Detroit for 
generations to come. The 
somewhat shy Abigail likes 
to knit and watch Pixar 
movies. She says she wants to 

be a Jewish bubbie when she 
grows up.

JAIME BEAN
Jaime Bean 
is the associate 
director of 
programming 
and engagement 
at the Isaac Agree Downtown 
Synagogue. Her role 
focuses on programming, 
community engagement and 
managing the Downtown 
Synagogue’s new shared 
workspace.
Born and raised in 
Huntington Woods, 
Jaime has dedicated her 
professional life to building 
and strengthening Jewish 
community. A graduate 
of the University of 
Michigan, she holds a B.A. 
in anthropology and a 
master’s in social work and 
is an alumnus of the Jewish 
Communal Leadership 
Program (JCLP). 
Prior to being at the 
Downtown Synagogue, 
she worked at the Jewish 
Federation of Detroit in its 
NEXTGen Detroit and Israel 
& Overseas departments.
Outside of her professional 
life, Jaime has been involved 
in Jewish community 
through Tamarack Camps 
by sitting on its Camp Maas 
Committee, and Israel Policy 
Forum by being selected 
as one of its 2021 Charles 
Bronfman Conveners. 
She is passionate about 
relationship building and is 
always available for a coffee 
date or to take you on a 
tour of the newly renovated 
Downtown Synagogue! 
When she is not working, 

Jaime enjoys spending time 
with her husband, Ethan, 
being outdoors and playing 
board games with friends. 
One of her favorite places to 
visit is Marvelous Marvin’s.

DANIEL 
SHAMAYEV
Daniel 
Shamayev is a 
college student at 
Yeshiva University Sy Syms 
School of Business. 
He was born and raised 
in West Bloomfield and 
attended Akiva/Farber 
Hebrew Day School through 
12th grade. His family 
belongs to Keter Torah 
Synagogue and have been 
active members of the 
community.
After high school, Daniel 
opted to study abroad 
in Israel for two years in 
Yeshivat Torat Shraga in 
Bayit Vegan, Jerusalem. After 
he returned in May 2021, he 
was eager to participate in 
basketball pickup games, 
but to no avail due to 
the COVID pandemic. 
As soon as vaccines came 
around and people started 
going out again, he decided 
to host his own pickup 
games at Farber on Tuesday 
nights. Soon, he made it a 
basketball league, and then 
next thing you know, 40 
people came into the gym. 
Then, in the summer of 
2022, 70 people came and 
in 2023, 80 people. As of 
fall 2023, 85 people joined 
the fun. Today, the Detroit 
Jewish Basketball League 
is an integral part of the 
Detroit Jewish community, 
and it is constantly 

welcoming new members. 
Daniel is also involved 
with Detroit NCSY, serving 
as an adviser for the teens 
since 2021. He returns to 
Metro Detroit each summer 
to run the Detroit Jewish 
Basketball League. He’s also 
interned at United Wholesale 
Mortgage, Wing Lake Capital 
Partners and Raymond 
James. The most enjoyable 
thing to do in Metro Detroit, 
in his opinion, is to catch a 
Lions game at Ford Field.
 

JESSICA 
SHINDLER
Jessica is a 
first- and second-
grade teacher 
at Hillel Day 
School. She loves teaching 
elementary-aged students 
because she is passionate 
about instilling a love for 
school during foundational 
years. She loves that her 
students are excited about 
learning each day. 
Along with teaching core 
subjects, Jessica helps her 
students develop social 
and emotional skills that 
foster an environment 
where curiosity and 
creativity thrive. Each year, 
her students learn about 
communities as their social 
studies theme and raise 
money for charities through 
various events, including an 
annual Shuk, teaching them 
that helping one another 
is a vital part of being in a 
community.
Jessica enjoys taking on 
leadership roles at Hillel to 
contribute to the growth of 
the learning environment. 
As the elected Community 

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5725 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield MI 48323 | www.temple-israel.org | 248-661-5700

$200 Feb. 15-21, 2024 / 6-12 Adar I 5784
JEWISH NEWS

THE DETROIT

thejewishnews.com

Meet this year’s cohort of young 
professionals making an impact on 
Detroit’s Jewish community.

See page 16
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