To the DJJ Community --

At DJJ, we knew the beginning of 2025 would be tough.  We ended 2024 on a surreal note, fighting numbness and fatigue, and trying our best to brace ourselves, huddle in our communities, and figure out how to be “ready”.  As I reflect on the first part of our year, I am brought back to 2016.  The confusion, the anger, the frantic organizing that happened across the country. The feeling that we had to be in a state of motion and active resistance in order to succeed.  On November 5, the DJJ staff started outreach to our community partners.  We asked them, “what can we do right now?”  and their answer was, “we don’t know yet. Wait.” And while that was tough for us, a crew of eager organizers, it was also a beautiful reminder of what we’ve learned in the past 8 years: we need to get real about strategy and power.  Confusion and chaos is the goal of our opposition, and we can’t fall victim to it. So just as our partners turned inward to strategize, we started 2025 with the same goal and launched our Campaign Selection Team. 

At the start of this year, our brilliant organizers Stevie, Laura with the support of our amazing new Co-Director of Organizing Lisa, began recuruiting for the 2025 Campaign Selection Team. They pulled together an intergenerational, multi-talented group of 10 volunteer DJJ leaders and organized them to do deep campaign research; conducting meetings with community partners and discerning the most strategic use of DJJ’s communal capacity and passion. We have been blown away by the excitement of our leaders, their dedication and willingness to go deep with our partners and help us think holistically about where DJJ can be most effective in this political moment. 

“I’m inspired by the growth and escalation of leadership this moment is spurring in our community.  Late last year, a leader came to a storytelling event and felt inspired to learn more about the Coalition for Property Tax Justice.  With our support, she then organized an MLK Day program at her synagogue focused on the work of the Coalition and its deep connection to structural racism and King’s legacy. The space she created catalyzed others into action, bringing them into the DJJ fold and the work of the coalition. We’re watching a domino effect play out bolstered by relationships and connection.  That gives me hope.

- Stevie Kollin, DJJ Community Organizer.

This season has reminded us how crucial it is to be adaptive and flexible to the needs of our community, our partners, and our larger movements.  In that spirit, we have decided to prioritize the deep work of campaign research and selection, the results of which will be launched on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at Purim and Progress! This will be a bit different from our yearly Purim Extravaganza (look out for that next year!), but a beautiful celebration and kick off for a year of organizing in deep, accountable community. If you’re local, We hope you’ll join us. 

Out of town or can't make it?  Donate to support our ongoing work: 

As we face down a 2025 and beyond that we know will be challenging, we are buoyed by the intentionality, commitment, and tenacity of our staff, volunteer leaders, partners, donors, and broader community.  Thank you for stepping up in a moment that is so easy to back away from. Together, we are stronger than we know. 

In solidarity, 

Allie Zeff, Co-Director, Detroit Jews for Justice