When I applied to the Jewish Communal Leadership Program (JCLP) at the University of Michigan School of Social Work, I was a participant in the Avodah service corps program in New York City. I hadn’t spent much time up until then in an intentional Jewish community that also aligned with my values, and I knew that after I finished Avodah, I would want to find that community in graduate school. Luckily for me, not only did I find that community in JCLP, but I also found it through my field placement at Detroit Jews for Justice. 

I had heard of DJJ through family friends (shoutout to Marni Falk) growing up in Huntington Woods, but had never gotten involved with it. Fast forward to 2021, and I was given the opportunity to do my social work field placement there. Over the past year, I have been a part of a beautiful Jewish community, and have learned so many new skills that I hope to take with me into my social work career. 

I’m grateful for all of the leaders who have taught me about various areas of justice in Detroit – water, immigration, and land/housing (as a few examples) – and how I can get involved with so many different groups and coalitions throughout the city. I’m so incredibly thankful for the DJJ staff who have guided me from a nervous intern to an aspiring community organizer. Although my time as an intern is coming to an end, I hope to continue being a part of the DJJ community, and I can’t wait to see the ways that the organization will continue to grow!

With love and gratitude, 
Miriam Chesterman