And boy, are my arms tired! But seriously, in addition to the usual learning and orienting that happens at the start of any job, I have already been asked to put my passions and skills to work.  What a dream!  

On my first day, I was asked to put together a crash course in activism for a group of students and staff from Camp Tavor who were visiting Detroit for the Climate Rally.  For the first time in my career, I was explicitly asked to stack my love for social movements and activism on top of my love for facilitation and teaching.  The results were really amazing. I got to engage in group learning and discussion about youth-led movements for social change, Judaism and its connection to activism, and a little bit about conduct and behavior in the setting of political actions.  To say that the campers from Tavor were articulate and thoughtful would be a total understatement. What a cool group of kids. 

In addition to the workshop, I’ve spent time getting comfortable with the systems of communication within the DJJ staff, preparing for our 8/13 #CloseTheCamps action,  and strategizing on the best ways to support DJJ’s membership as I move forward in my new role. 

I am filled with joy and gratitude as I look toward the horizon at all of the work yet to be done! 

Allie

Photo Credit: Anthony Lanzilote

On Thursday, August 1st, Rabbi Alana joined a host of Rabbis from across metro Detroit to discuss the Torah of "The Stranger" and its connection to the crisis at our southern border.  Heed her call to action by attending our #CloseTheCamps protest on Tuesday 8/13 at the Dearborn Police Department.  Click here for more details and to RSVP.

This week, water justice team co-chair Barry Rubin attended a meeting with a Democratic Presidential candidate and We the People of Detroit. Check out his reflections here, along with the remarks he prepared (but did not get the chance to share).

A few weeks ago I attended the launch event for Co.act Detroit, a new space for non-profits to work and collaborate.

Hi! I'm Allie!  I'm the newly hired DJJ Organizer  Organizing with DJJ has been a transformative journey for me and I am grateful for the opportunity to use my experience as an educator and organizer to support DJJ’s mission full time!

DJJ leaders did an awesome job teaching some of the sessions at the Tikkun Leil Shavuot event hosted by Congregation T'chiyah and the Downtown Synagogue.

The past 5 months of evaluation and organizational assessment have proved fruitful in a number of areas. Read on for information about the process and the new hire!

Hi DJJ,

I'm Jacob (he/him) and I'm excited to be interning at DJJ this summer.

Since Eleanor Gamalski left the staff team in January, Susannah Goodman has been facilitating an incredible transition team of DJJ leaders and friends with deep movement experience to restructure our staff team. Check out the process these folks used and the insights they generated here.