OUR COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK:
A People Magnet
A ‘master of Jewish outreach,’ Erin Stiebel helps people connect to their Judaism. RACHEL SWEET ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series showcasing volunteers making a difference in our community.
The Stiebel family
LEFT: Erin and David Stiebel at NEXTGen Detroit’s Distilled and Chilled Winter Fundraiser. ABOVE: Erin and friends at NEXTGen Detroit’s Epic fundraiser.
The Partners in Torah Spain/Portugal Trip: Bonnie Girson, Erin Stiebel, Shelby Miller, Ricki Feuerison, Natalie Blum, David Mettler, Danielle Brickner, Ryan Rosenberg, Noah Rozenberg, Ryan Brickner, Rabbi Noam Gross, Joe Roofeh.
26
|
APRIL 14 • 2022
E
rin Stiebel is an educator for Partners Detroit’s Young Professional Division and director of NCSY GIVE, an annual volunteer-focused Israel summer program for high school girls from across North America. Listing off Erin’s titles alone showcases why she was among the first volunteers to be nominated by readers. However, according to David Stiebel, Erin’s husband of nine years, it’s really just who she is. “Naturally she is very good at helping people. I think she finds value in it. She really will drop everything to go do whatever,” he said. David said he believes Erin takes after her late father, Dr. Louis Cooper. “He just cared about every single person around him, whether it was a kid or a high schooler. He was the big brother of his whole family. I’m sure it came from him.” David says he’s still amazed to see how Erin impacts people. Just recently, the couple went to a NEXTGen Detroit event and when they walked in, people immediately came up to Erin. “It’s not that people are flocking to her because she’s some popular celebrity. It’s the people who she’s personally impacted. I see it every time we go out. It’s a really nice thing to see, and it kind of just shows you what the type of person she is in these people’s lives,” he added. MAKING AN IMPACT WHEREVER SHE GOES Erin offers Jewish educational opportunities and hosts Shabbos meals at her home continued on page 28
