Detroit Jews For Justice

Take a breath. We made it past election day - and we got here together. I'm in awe of the dozens of DJJniks who fought for the rights of voters at the polls, who canvassed and called and texted to motivate more voters in Michigan, and for the team of Rabbis who have been amplifying the message: every person matters, every vote should count. We’re all better off when more eligible Americans—Black, Brown, and white—are able to vote.

We will stand together to ensure every vote is counted, our communities are protected, and we have a chance to build the future we want. We continue to fight for the democracy we deserve.

Hello everyone! My name is Anabelle Keimach (she/her), and I’m very excited to start my internship at DJJ in partnership with UpStart’s JOC Career Development Program. I am from Sharon, MA and am currently taking a gap year before I start at the University of Vermont next fall. I will be majoring in Global Studies with a concentration in Fine Arts for my first year. Through my studies, I intend to gain a better understanding of the social, political, economic, and environmental problems nations face, which will aid me in being an educated voice for social change. Additionally, I hope to explore how to use art as a form of advocacy.

Hey everyone! My name is Konrat Pekkip (he/him), and I'm beyond excited to start working with DJJ as part of my fellowship with Repair the World Detroit. I'm originally from Heidelberg, Germany, but I spent the last four years studying political science, international studies, and history at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. During my time at UofM, I was able to gain some experience working in the organizing realm, as well as conduct my own research on the (not so) recent rise of fascism and the extreme right.

L’Shana Tovah Umetukah! 

Hey folks, Syma here. I’m a proud DJJ Steering Committee member, mother, grandmother, and Macomb County Jew. I hope this email finds you safe, well, and nourished by the holiday season. We will certainly need to stay nourished as we navigate the next few months together.

In my studies leading up to Rosh Hashanah, I was confronted by the concept of Teshuvah, often defined as repentance. Rabbi Shefa Gold says:

“Looking inward and looking outward: that's what we do on Rosh Hashanah. We stop long enough to look at the world and the year that has passed. But we also take the time to look at ourselves. If we can understand who we are and what's expected of us, then we can begin to change, to return. Every change begins within; it must start deep within our hearts. [...] This is the true meaning of Teshuvah.”

Several months ago, I began a personal journey into a deeper understanding of systemic racism.

Before I even arrived in Michigan, I could tell that DJJ was a special organization, a special community. As I looked through DJJ’s website and read the Core Principles that guide our work, I could tell that the people who established DJJ were committed to justice and equity at every level of this project. 

Hi! I’m Kendra, DJJ’s new Program Associate for Racial Equity (PARE or, the Pear, if you will). I’m not new to DJJ, but this position is, and I’m so excited to work with all of you and with folks in similar roles across the country to grow and develop it. I remember hearing about DJJ starting up just as I was graduating from Roeper and moving down to North Carolina, where I was an active leader in our sister organization, Carolina Jews for Justice. In 2016, I visited Detroit for the holidays and found myself at the DJJ Festival of Rights Chanukah party. I remember thinking, “I like these people.”

As one of the DJJ leaders who joined the The Water Justice Team well after it had made significant inroads working with an amazing ally, the People’s Water Board, I was interested in finding ways we could continue to bring our message to suburban Jews.  We have had success with several synagogues but we need to keep moving forward.  

DJJ is growing -- and we want you to grow with us!

A year ago, we realized it was time for DJJ to level-up. We set out to design a new organizing system to meet the needs of our changing community.

A new model is emerging from a year long listening process. After gathering feedback from community partners, sister organizations, the Campaign Advisory Team, the Meta Organizing Workgroup, the Steering Committee, and 60+ DJJ leaders, we are launching two platform teams: 

Trump said living in Detroit is like "living in hell.” It’s a tired, old narrative, and we’ve heard it before. 

As a lifelong Detroiter, I grew up all across the city - my family lived in Rosedale Park, the Cass Corridor, Green Acres, finally Oak Park and Grosse Pointe. I'm now a proud homeowner in beautiful SW Detroit. My family's story of migration is complex, one that many Metro Detroit Jews identify with - the movement towards areas of greater comfort, privilege and perceived safety. In each of the border communities I’ve lived, I heard rhetoric similar to Trump's, using false narratives about Detroit (and other predominantly Black communities) to rationalize the hoarding of resources, stoke fear, and further divide us against one other. The stories we tell have the power to do great harm. They also have the power to deepen connection.

We didn't all understand the protests at the beginning. We can all learn more. It's on all of us to challenge our own assumptions, not challenge others' realities. Black Lives Matter.