She grew up in an Orthodox household and fondly remembers celebrating Jewish holidays.  She touches on her mother’s immigration and experience in a Jewish orphanage.

Mark talks briefly about being a Zionist and belonging to BBYO and then explains her history with getting into Weight Watchers and bringing it to Michigan.  Mark speaks about philanthropy, growing up in a house where that was important and taking care of her sister, Sandy, who had polio.

From here, Mark speaks about the importance of Jewish Education and the family agencies that Federation has.  Next, she talks about her relationship with her children, and a sad time in her life, taking care of her husband while he was ill.

Mark explains her involvement and experiences being the president of the Jewish Community Center.  She gives her thoughts on the Center being more than a building, but a center of Jewish life.  She mentions the problems with the Center that were being addressed at the time of her presidency, in particular the closing of the Jimmy Prentis Morris Branch in Oak Park.  She also talks about her involvement with Federation Marketing, being the Campaign Chair one year, and being a part of the Jewish Women’s Foundation.  Then, she mentions some thoughts on Israel.

Mark then speaks about her non-Jewish activities; being on the Federal Reserve Board of the Chicago/Detroit Branch, March of Dimes, Forgotten Harvest, and Women of Tomorrow.  She tells the story of trying to get a bank loan as a woman and they would not allow her without her husband’s signature.  She talks about her mentors, including her bubbe, mother, and stories about Sam Frankel, Joel Jacob, and others from Federation.

Finally, Mark talks about the changes in Detroit and the confidence she has in the Jewish Community and getting more Jewish people to move to and live in Detroit.  She expands on Weight Watchers.

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