Dear DJJ-niks,
I moved to Detroit in 2014 to plug into social justice work. I had no relationship to Jewish community until I showed up to a #BlackLivesMatter Hanukkah action. That night I joined dozens of Metro Detroit Jews -- many who I now call friends and comrades -- in harnessing our spiritual tradition to protest racist violence.
This year, we again gathered in Campus Martius, declaring our opposition to mass water shut-offs on the first night of Hanukkah. We kicked off our “8 Days of Water Justice” video series, tying the struggle of the Maccabees to Detroit’s struggle for water justice.
I’m floored by this video series. With nearly 5,000 views, it exemplifies our work’s profound spiritual and strategic impact. We are growing, changing hearts and minds, and influencing our policymakers with a unified Jewish voice.
When we organize, personal and societal change are possible. After my suburban upbringing of feeling distant from Detroit and disconnected from Judaism, my experiences with DJJ have left me transformed. When I see the effects of efforts like “8 Days of Water Justice,” I know we have transformed our community, too.
Your gift enables us to do our work from the powerful intersection of Judaism and social justice. Donate now to ensure we can keep changing ourselves and changing the world:
Onwards,
Eleanor
DJJ Director of Organizing
PS View press coverage of the "Illuminating Water Justice" Hanukkah action here; click here for the Hanukkah video series; and click here to view our Hanukkah water zine, made by Hannah Lewis & the Water Team -- an awesome piece of homegrown Jewish political culture!