DJJ Community, 

It is a joy to announce that DJJ will honor Andy Levin this year with the Myra Wolfgang Award for Jewish Social Justice.  There is no one I can think of who is more deserving than Andy.

Andy and I have been friends, colleagues, and comrades for over a decade. It all started when Andy, alongside Rabbi Alana, brought Detroit Jews for Justice into being through sheer determination –  and a healthy dose of foolish optimism. I was lucky enough to find my way into cozy living rooms where Andy led a small but mighty group of founding DJJ leaders to consider the power we could build together to advance social justice in Detroit. My life was changed when Andy hired me as DJJ’s first organizer on staff and I had the joy of collaborating with him as a leader of our inaugural Steering Committee. Later, he was willing to take me along for the ride as he took the halls of Congress. On his congressional staff again I witnessed Andy’s steadfast commitment to building people power wherever he goes and his bold, unrelenting belief that we can leave this world better than we found it, for everyone.

Without Andy, I wouldn’t have been able to grow and learn as one only can as a community organizer and I certainly wouldn’t have stepped foot in government service. Quite frankly, I might not have a Jewish community in Detroit. Many others – from teenagers to octogenarians – could tell you tales of the impact Andy has had on their lives and their leadership. Meanwhile, our community has seen Andy grow and change, too, while staying the same in all the ways we would want him to.  

I won’t get into all the interesting (nearly unbelievable) chapters of Andy’s life and career – you’ll have to join us in September for that!

DJJ owes its existence to Andy’s unique ability to act on his foolish optimism. Please help us to pay him back in a small way by attending the Myra Wolfgang Awards on September 11th, 2025 in New Center, Detroit. 

Will you join me in donating $360 to join the host committee?  My goal is to show Andy how deeply appreciated he really is. 

In solidarity, 

Eleanor Gamalski