Come to DJJ's New Leader Orientation! We'll be at TechTown, 440 Burroughs St, Detroit, May 9th from 6-8pm. 

Whether you're brand new to DJJ or a long-time leader,  we're so excited to have you here! At Orientation, you'll get a chance to dig into DJJ's history and philosophy, who we are, what we do, and why we do it Jewishly. We will also close out this meeting by breaking out into our campaign teams.

Join in person or by Zoom - there will be drinks and snacks provided!

We can't wait to see you there!

Last week, our Executive Director and Board Chair submitted a statement to the White House Interagency Taskforce on Combatting Antisemitism.  They lifted up the critical need for the task force to take an intersectional approach in creating their strategy.  Check out the full statement below!

Dear Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice and Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall,

Detroit Jews for Justice organizes the metro Detroit Jewish Community for racial and economic justice. We organize for housing justice, water rights, reproductive justice, dismantling antisemitism and promoting a multi-faith, multiracial democracy. We organize in solidarity with other marginalized communities in our region through state and local coalitions, interfaith initiatives, and Detroit-focused campaigns. Detroit Jews for Justice is the largest group of its kind in the state of Michigan and acts as a hub––even sometimes as a home––for members of the metro Detroit Jewish Community who share these progressive values rooted in tikkun olam, or repairing the world. 

Safety in solidarity

Organizing for racial and economic justice in Detroit has taught us that true safety can only be achieved through deep solidarity. Antisemitism does not occur in a vacuum; it is a key part of the machinery that upholds white supremacy. When we address antisemitism without an analysis of solidarity and intersecting oppressions, we will (intentionally or unintentionally) reinforce anti-Black racism, anti-Muslim and anti-Arab bigotry, and xenophobia. Not only does this stop us from fighting all forms of hatred, it also causes further harm to people of color in our own communities and further separates us from other marginalized groups. Definitions of antisemitism that conflate legitimate criticism of the state of Israel with anti-Jewish hatred are harmful and frequently used to silence Muslim and Arab Americans.  Similarly, implementing security programs for synagogues that focus exclusively on policing can harm people of color in congregations and broader communities - who are already at greater risk of experiencing police violence. We encourage you to examine the ways in which misguided steps to combat antisemitism might have a negative impact on other targeted communities. 

IHRA definition will not protect us

We believe adopting and codifying the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism will distract and distort the Administration’s charge to combat antisemitism.  The definition does not adequately address the most dangerous form of antisemitism experienced by Jewish communities in America: white supremacist terror. We believe that formalizing this definition has the potential to cause harm to the Jewish community as well as other marginalized groups and we strongly discourage the Administration from adopting it. 

True community safety

Your administration has recognized that the IHRA remains a flawed and imperfect tool to root out this type of violence and associated rhetoric. Instead, we urge you to tackle antisemitism with tactics of holistic community safety, which cannot and should not be disentangled from the safety of all marginalized communities. Isolating our communities will not stop the rise of violence in this country.  Decades of data, research, and community advocacy across the country has shown that safe communities require robust social infrastructure like fully-funded schools, job opportunities, and expanded civic participation. Let’s focus there.

A nuanced and robust discourse about antisemitism is necessary to combat all forms of hatred – but the IHRA definition does not get us closer to a vision of safety and security for all communities. 

Sincerely,

Allison Zeff, Executive Director, Detroit Jews for Justice

Hayley Sakwa, Board Chair, Detroit Jews for Justice

Thank you so much for your generous gift! Your support makes this work possible.

If you would like to become a monthly sustaining donor to DJJ, please click here. 

Here is our quarterly update: 

It is hard to stay oriented when so much—public health standards, cost of living, basic life tenets, etc.—feels unstable.

Our ED, Allie Zeff was asked to speak at the Rapid Response Rally in Downtown Detroit on the day Roe vs. Wade was overturned by our supreme court on June 24th, 2022.  Below are her remarks and pictures from the event:

Introducing our Inaugural Board of Trustees

DJJ is so honored to announce the formation of our first Board of Trustees! These remarkable individuals are strategic thinkers, staunch advocates for social justice, and committed to our DJJ community. We are so eager to see how they will collectively guide and support our work. Without further ado, here are the trustees!

Officers

Hayley Sakwa -- Chair

Levi Teitel -- Vice Chair

Mike Medow -- Treasurer

Caryn Noveck -- Secretary

Trustees

Adina Alpert

Devin Samuels

Joel Batterman

Lisa Tencer

Sara Habbo

Susannah Goodman

Tova Perlmutter

Have questions? Thoughts? Ideas? Send us a message! We'll usually get back to you within 48 hours. 

We can't wait to hear from you!

DJJ leaders are developing a social media campaign that will tie the story of Hanukkah to our struggle for water justice.

Subscribe below to receive daily emails throughout Hanukkah, with educational content on local water issues and clear 

actions you can take to advocate for clean and affordable water. Or, keep checking this page and our Facebook page for daily updates!

Learn more about our work in partnership with People's Water Board Coalition at detroitjewsforjustice.org/water

Day #1: GET YOUR MACCABEES!

Click the picture above or this link to access Day #1's video, hosted on our Facebook page.

You can find a transcript of this video here.

ACTION ITEM: GET YOUR MACCABEES!

• Like and share this post on Facebook & Instagram -- tag your friends in it with you. (Make sure to “tag friends” instead of just @-ing them, so it appears on their timelines!)
• Not on social media? We’ve got you covered. Visit detroitjewsforjustice.org/water and click on the “8 Days of Water Justice” tab to subscribe and receive daily emails that you can easily forward to your network.
• CAN YOU RECRUIT 5 MACCABEES OF YOUR OWN, like the 5 sons of Mattathias to do this work with you? Share it with your folks, your family, your congregation, your bubbie… let’s get started!

Day #2: SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE SHUT-OFFS!

Click the picture above or follow this link to access today's video, hosted on our Facebook page.

You can find a transcript of this video here.

ACTION ITEM: CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES! STOP THE SHUT-OFFS!

• Implore your representatives to co-sponsor and push forward House Bills 4393 and 4389/4390!
• If your representatives are on the House Local Government Committee, you are in a position to make these bills go through! Demand that they recognize the sanctity of water as a human right, and push them support legislation to decriminalize shut-offs and implement a water affordability plan. 
  • Chair: State Rep. James Lower, 70^th District (R) - Montcalm County and Gratiot County
  • Julie Alexander, 64^th District (R) - Jackson County
  • Roger Hauck, 99^th District (R) - Isabella County and Midland County.
  • Ben Frederick, 85^th District (R) - Shiawassee County and Saginaw County.
  • Gary Howell, 82th District (R) - Lapeer County
  • Jim Runestad, 44^th District (R) - Highland, White Lake, Springfield, Milford, Waterford
  • Kathy Crawford, 38^th District (R) - Lyon, Northville, Novi, South Lyon, Walled Lake
  • Sara Cambensy, 109th District (D) - Alger, Luce, Schoolcraft, Marquette (Upper Peninsula)
  • Jim Ellison, 26^th District (D) - Royal Oak and Madison Heights
  • Patrick Green, 28^th District (D) - Center Line and city of Warren
  • Jeremy Moss, 35^th District (D) - Southfield, Lathrup Village, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, Franklin
• Like and share this post on Facebook & Instagram -- tag your friends in it with you. (Make sure to “tag friends” instead of just @-ing them, so it appears on their timelines!)
• For more information, talking points and resources, visit https://www.detroitjewsforjustice.org/water

Day #3: OIL FOR LATKES, NOT THE STRAITS OF MACKINAC!

Click the picture above or follow this link to access today's video, hosted on our Facebook page.

You can find a transcript of this video here.

ACTION ITEM: HOLD OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE! #SHUTDOWNLINE5!

• Governor-Elect Whitmer and Attorney General Elect-Nessel campaigned on a promise to #shutdownline5. It's time to make some phone calls and emails to demand that they stick to their promises and do everything in their power to beat back the regressive actions of this lame duck legislature. It's never a bad time to voice your frustration to your elected reps, including the incumbent governor and attorney general.  
  • Gretchen Whitmer Campaign Office #: (517) 763-2955
  • Governor's Office #: (517) 373-3400
  • Attorney General's Office #: (517) 373-1110
• Like and share this post on Facebook & Instagram -- tag your friends in it with you. (Make sure to “tag friends” instead of just @-ing them, so it appears on their timelines!)
• For more information, talking points and resources, visit https://www.detroitjewsforjustice.org/water and https://www.oilandwaterdontmix.org/

Day #4: REDEDICATING OUR SANCTUARY!

Click the picture above or follow this link to access today's video, hosted on our Facebook page.

You can find a transcript of this video here.

ACTION ITEM: DONATE TO WE THE PEOPLE OF DETROIT'S YOUTH-LED WATER TESTING

• We The People of Detroit is stepping up to do the direct work of water testing in places that the government has overlooked. Click HERE to give directly to the We the People of Detroit!
• Like and share this post on Facebook & Instagram -- tag your friends in it with you. (Make sure to “tag friends” instead of just @-ing them, so it appears on their timelines!)
• For more information, talking points and resources, visit https://www.detroitjewsforjustice.org/water and https://wethepeopleofdetroit.com/

Day #5: SCARCITY, ABUNDANCE & WATER PRIVATIZATION!

Click the picture above or follow this link to access today's video, hosted on our Facebook page.

You can find a transcript of this video here.

ACTION ITEM: INTERROGATE YOUR OWN SENSE OF SCARCITY AND ABUNDANCE! 

• Instead of advocacy or donations, today's action item involves self-reflection - an essential part of engaging in activist work that is grounded in empathy and solidarity. 
• Take a look at your own water bill. Calculate how much of your monthly income goes to paying for water. Is it within the EPA-recommended 4.5% guideline? Is it upwards of 10%, the average water bill for low-income residents as reported by researchers at the University of Michigan?  What trade-offs would you make if you had to pay such high rates? What trade-offs do you make?
• Consider: Do you see scarcity where there is actually abundance, or vice versa? Why? How might corporate interests affect this perception?
• Like and share this post on Facebook & Instagram -- tag your friends in it with you. (Make sure to “tag friends” instead of just @-ing them, so it appears on their timelines!)
• For more information, talking points and resources, visit https://www.detroitjewsforjustice.org/water 

Day #6: PUBLICIZING THE MIRACLE!

Click the picture above or follow this link to access today's video, hosted on our Facebook page.

You can find a transcript of this video here.

ACTION ITEM: PUBLICIZE THE MIRACLES & THE INJUSTICES! CALL AND TAG @MAYORMIKEDUGGAN WITH YOUR MESSAGE! BUILD THE NARRATIVE THAT METRO DETROIT JEWS STAND FOR WATER JUSTICE!

• STUDY "America's Secret Water Crisis," the groundbreaking report from Food & Water Watch that shows the depth and breadth of the water crisis across the country. 
• PUBLICIZE the media from Sunday night's Illuminating Water Justice action, available on our Facebook page, the Detroit Jewish News, and more. We need to build the awareness that Metro Detroit Jews stand up for water justice!
• CALL & TAG  Mayor Duggan (@MayorMikeDuggan) with the following message, or a heartfelt message of your own:
  • "Mayor Duggan, 70 Metro Detroit Jews gathered on Hanukkah to voice our support for ending water shut-offs, implementing a water affordability plan, and restoring water to shut-off households. We know these solutions are critical to protect the health of our neighbors and the moral conscience of our region and we ask for your commitment to these policies in 2019.”
• Like and share this post on Facebook & Instagram -- tag your friends in it with you. (Make sure to “tag friends” instead of just @-ing them, so it appears on their timelines!)
• For more information, talking points and resources, visit https://www.detroitjewsforjustice.org/water 

Day #7: REBELLING AGAINST IDOLATRY

Click the picture above or follow this link to access today's video, hosted on our Facebook page.

You can find a transcript of this video here.

ACTION ITEM: LINK UP WITH THE POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN! SUPPORT THE #GILBERT7!

• STUDY the demands and principles of the Poor People's Campaign. What in your community demands a "moral revival"? What constitutes idolatry in your worldview?
• READ testimony from Rev. Bill Wylie-Kellermann and Tommy Tackett, who are currently serving a 12-day jail sentence for different Poor People's Campaign direct action!
• PLEDGE TO SUPPORT the #Gilbert7 and other Poor People's Campaign arrestees by attending press conferences and other actions, including this press conference Wednesday morning!
• SAVE THE DATE: the #Gilbert7 activists are going to trial on JANUARY 22nd. Be there to show your support, and help bring publicity to this action!
• Like and share this post on Facebook & Instagram -- tag your friends in it with you. (Make sure to “tag friends” instead of just @-ing them, so it appears on their timelines!)
• For more information, talking points and resources, visit https://www.detroitjewsforjustice.org/water and https://www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/

Day #8: INCREASING THE LIGHT!

Click the picture above or follow this link to access today's video, hosted on our Facebook page.

You can find a transcript of this video here.

ACTION ITEM: RSVP FOR DECEMBER'S DJJ ORIENTATION & GENERAL MEETING! GIVE A DONATION TO DJJ!

• Keep increasing the light by staying involved with DJJ: RSVP for the upcoming orientation or general meeting!
• Become a monthly sustaining donor to DJJ to sustain our efforts to mobilize the Metro Detroit Jewish community to work for racial and economic justice, or give a one-time donation before the end-of-the-year!
• Like and share this post on Facebook & Instagram -- tag your friends in it with you. (Make sure to “tag friends” instead of just @-ing them, so it appears on their timelines!)
• For more information, talking points and resources, visit https://www.detroitjewsforjustice.org/water 

Purchase your ticket below for "Practicing Resistance: Jewish Solidarity in Action and Community" with M. Dove Kent and Baruch Koach Frazier on September 10th. For more details on the event, click here.

Ticket rates:

$36 - Scholarship

$76 - Regular rate

$118 - Regular rate & sponsor a participant

In the "additional comments" field below, please indicate how many tickets you are buying and/or if you are donating a sponsorship.