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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$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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