Detroit Jews For Justice

Dear friends,

The morning after an incredible shabbaton of relationship and skills-building, over a dozen DJJ leaders schlepped to Lansing to participate in the Poor People’s Campaign. We were rolling deep because the day’s theme of Environmental Justice brings out the cause dearest to our collective heart: water.

The new year is fast-approaching, and one thing I hope I can be in it, is braver. True, in the approximately one year since involving myself with Detroit Jews for Justice, I have felt my courage growing. Though, I am not yet at a place where I feel comfortable using my privileges for tikkun - healing and rectification - in this world, in some of the ways I wish to.

Behind the scenes of all the great work that DJJ has been doing is one very important person, our trusty Treasurer Lou Echeandia. DJJ is so grateful for everything that he does. 

On July 23, 2018, Michael Duggan, Mayor of Detroit, held a meeting for the constituents of District 5.  These events are held from time to time in the various City Council Districts, and they give the Mayor a chance to reach out to his constituents, promote his accomplishments, and hear from the people about what kind of job the city government is doing, or failing to do, from their point of view.  

As the Poor People's Campaign (PPC) swept the States this summer, several leading Jewish organizations, many of which are national, endorsed this historic movement. 

Mary Ellen Gurewitz, DJJ co-founder and Steering Committee member, recently won a historic case for voting rights in Michigan's straight-ticket voting issue.

A few months back, thanks to the support of Michigan Voice, I had the deep honor of attending a retreat with the premier institution on grassroots fundraising training. 

Dear DJJ Community,

I am writing you, in the midst of a Pilgrimage, walking from my former home near Boston, to what I hope will be my new home for a very very long time in Metro Detroit.

On Monday July 23rd, 7 DJJ leaders attended Mayor Duggan's community meeting in District Five. Rabbi Alana addressed the Mayor directly, asking a sharp question about structural racism.

Over the weekend of July 6^th, over sixty leaders from around the country gathered at Mack Market to participate in the second immersion offered by the Emergent Strategy Ideation Institute.