Detroit Jews For Justice

TLDR: DJJ is looking for our new ED!

In 2014, when I was recruited to Detroit to serve as a part-time congregational rabbi and part-time justice organizer, we never imagined what DJJ could become in just a few short years.

Because of your commitment, we have become a force. Over the last 7 years, DJJ has grown rapidly, attracting hundreds of leaders and donors, building powerful relationships in the social justice field, providing critical services to the Jewish community, making a real impact on issues and culture, and firmly positioning itself as a respected player in the progressive space in Detroit and in the national Jewish justice movement. A healthy combination of grassroots gifts, major donors, and foundation support allow us to step confidently into the next phase 

Our growth and development have made it clear that DJJ needs a full-time executive director! At this moment in DJJ’s trajectory, undivided attention is critical. I’m so proud to have led DJJ to this point, and am also clear that this is a healthy time for me to make space for a new leader who can seize upon the full potential of this ripe political and spiritual moment, locally and nationally. A full-time ED will be able to take the incredible foundation that we have built together and nurture us into an organization with more capacity, resources and power to put toward affecting the racial and economic change we want to see. 

DJJ's star-studded first Shabbaton in 2015

We have brought together a brilliant search committee! Bobbi Spiegler, Syma Echeandia,  Barry Rubin, Devin Samuels, Allie Zeff (staff liaison), and Cole Park (Organizer at Carolina Jews for Justice) are hard at work developing a job description and hiring plan. They would love to hear from you! Please email Devin at: [email protected] with any hopes and dreams for this transition. We hope to begin the search in earnest early this summer in preparation for a fall transition and will keep you posted on any timeline developments. We hope you will partner with us to spread the word and help us find a good shidduch/match for this exciting position.

I am just beginning to find words to describe how much this experience has impacted me as a rabbi and organizer, and I look forward to reflecting over the coming months. For now I’ll just say that I’m excited to continue showing up alongside you all in our fight for justice as a participant, activist, spiritual leader, host, cook, donor, schlepper - whatever we need!  

My deepest gratitude to all who are and have been working to make this transition as intentional and successful as it can be. 

Thank you for joining Detroit Jews for Justice for the 2021 Myra Wolfgang Awards - virtual gala.

"Sometimes reorganization is a proactive choice, and sometimes it chooses us. The pandemic has brought with it so much learning, and also enormous suffering. And while I know that this work of creating, and overthrowing, and building, and healing happens in the streets, and at the ballot box, and on lobby day, and in our inboxes, and board rooms, and kitchen tables, I know it also happens in our hearts."

Rabbi Alana, Founding Executive Director speaking at the 2021 Myra Wolfgang Awards

While we continue to honor the legacy of Myra Wolfgang by celebrating this year's honorees: Julie Hurwitz, Detroit Disability Power and Rudy Simons, we are very excited to feature and amplify the work of our local artists at the virtual gala on Tuesday, May 4th at 7:30pm! Check out our arts and culture program contributors for the 2021 Myra Wolfgang Awards . . .

Our Host Committee consists of folks near and far who wish to support the 2021 Myra Wolfgang Awards. We are deeply grateful to this growing list for their generosity and belief in the long-term value of our work.

The fundraising auction for the Myra Wolfgang Awards will open online next Monday, April 26th at 8:00am! Make that Google Calendar appointment and secure your bid for some sweet deals!  The 2021 Myra Wolfgang Awards will be held virtually on Tuesday, May 4th from 7:30pm, and the online auction will close at the evening's end at 8:30pm.

Last week, DJJ and Repair the World Detroit held space to process the recent acts of white supremacy and anti-AAPI violence in Atlanta, New York, and elsewhere. Anti-Asian hate is not a new phenomenon; yet, many non-AAPI folks (myself included) even in progressive spaces lack an appropriate understanding of the issues Asian-Americans are facing in the world. As we came together to engage in collective learning during the week of Passover, we thus challenged ourselves to consider all the things that -- lo dayenu -- have not yet been enough.

As a member of DJJ I was able to attend a rally and march on Saturday Jan. 16th sponsored by Detroit Will Breathe and Detroit Eviction Defense. The protest was in support of Whitney Burney, a northwest Detroit woman and her children who were wrongfully evicted from their home on December 19, 2020 with the assistance of four officers from the Detroit Police Department.  The landlord contacted the police who claimed Ms. Burney was squatting in his property. These accusations were false and police did not look at evidence Ms. Burney tried to present and put many of the families belongings on the street and would not allow entrance into the house to retreat Christmas presents, personal belongings including the children’s laptops for school. She and her children had to go to a homeless shelter.