Introduction: What is this document for?
Jewish tradition offers us tools for how to study and engage with foundational texts. This Theory of Change will become part of Detroit Jews for Justice’s canon of documents – including Core Principles and other resources – that speak to why and how we do what we do. This document will support our decision making about what types of campaigns, partnerships and resources to pursue; where to allocate staff time and focus leader energies; and how to communicate our work.
DJJ’s Theory of Change aims to guide our process and to test our assumptions. We know that each time we execute our activities and strategies, we learn more about how we can effectively build the world we want to see. As such, we recognize this document as a starting point from which to evolve, rather than as a perfect and all-knowing text. As Jews, we know that our guiding texts are most valuable when we engage with them: by debating the meaning of a word, integrating new insights as we learn them, and deepening our understanding through storytelling.
We also recognize the value of our Oral Torah – the meaning that our leaders bring to our work as they experience it – alongside the foundational texts that ground us.
Each year, DJJ will develop measurable goals that deepen our capacity to realize our Theory of Change and track our progress. At least every 3 years, the Board of Trustees will formally revisit the Theory of Change to assess progress, evolve the document as needed, and vote to re-approve. Non-substantive edits to make language more precise may occur in the interim.
DJJ Theory of Change
Vision Statement
Detroit Jews for Justice envisions a just and joyful future where we and our neighbors live with equal rights, dignity, safety, and access to the resources we all need to thrive.
Mission Statement
We advance racial and economic justice by developing Metro Detroit Jews as community organizers who fight for transformative policy change in deep partnership with our neighbors.
Connecting Mission to Vision
Why we organize in social movements: Social movements respond nimbly to present conditions and challenge existing systems of power. Grassroots communities are best positioned to elevate the leadership of those most impacted by injustice. When we build trusting relationships, we model the world we want and create powerful bonds that sustain our organizing. We focus on progressive policy change to transform the political and economic systems that shape how power and wealth are distributed.
Why we organize as Jews: Organizing as Jews brings a deep well of wisdom, resources, and resilience to our movements. We look to our tradition for sustenance, inspiration, and challenge. We look to our community for supportive relationships and resources for mobilization. We look to our lived experiences and our multitude of identities – some privileged and some marginalized – as sources of strength and insight into the complex ways that systems of oppression hurt us all.
Why we organize for co-liberation: As Jews and as human beings, we are motivated by our responsibility to fight for the well-being of all people, across lines of identity. Anti-semitism is designed to alienate Jews from our neighbors, manipulating us into choosing conditional safety over mutual solidarity. Even when we are grappling with painful and complex disagreements, we reject the forces that aim to divide us and weaken our collective power. Only by acknowledging that we have a shared stake in dismantling all systems of oppression can we build honest and mutually accountable relationships to achieve lasting safety for everyone.
Core Activities & Strategy Logic
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Core Values
COMMUNITY: We are a vibrant, progressive, intergenerational, spiritual, Jewish community that is locally rooted. We connect authentically to our complex histories and to each other. Nurturing this community with care is essential to our resilience and persistence over time. We do this work together, celebrating victories and learning from setbacks. When we disagree, we deepen our relationships by compassionately holding each other accountable. We draw upon Jewish cultural tools and wisdom to nourish us and remind us of what is possible.
ACTION: We show up consistently. We do the work within ourselves and our communities. We are in it for the long haul, sharing the collective responsibility of building a just and joyful future. We take time to rest and we return to the work restored, honoring the enduring wisdom of Shabbat. We mobilize our community to actively participate in grassroots progressive movements. Our core DJJ activities make tangible contributions to advance racial and economic justice in Detroit and Michigan. When we act in accordance with our mission and strategy and communicate about our work, we contribute to shaping narrative and public discourse in our communities.
PARTNERSHIP: We are committed to building lasting, mutually accountable relationships with values-aligned, trusted partner organizations in metro Detroit. We build place-based partnerships, knowing the policy solutions we need at the state and national level will emerge from the expertise of our local communities. On every issue, we honor the leadership of those most impacted by injustice. Particularly in the context of our highly segregated region, where past and present policies have led to painful material outcomes in majority Black Detroit, we prioritize commitments to campaigns and coalitions that demonstrate an antiracist, equitable vision and approach.
