Community Relations
The Community Relations Department builds a vibrant, sustainable Jewish future by cultivating relationships with community leaders and diverse ethnic, racial, religious and cultural groups while engaging in robust, public advocacy on behalf of the Jewish people.
Promote Understanding
The Community Relations Department promotes understanding through meaningful relationships with local leaders and communities built on allyship, impactful programming and shared priorities. We do this through:
- Partnership and sponsorship of the Coalition for Black and Jewish Unity and the Coalition’s Leadership Academy
- Hosting local faith leaders for Shabbat Dinners
- Regular meetings and engagement with non-Jewish partners including the Archdiocese of Detroit, Chaldean Community Foundation, Hindu Community Relations Council and other interfaith and intergroup leaders.
Advocate for the Jewish Community
As the “central address” for the Detroit Jewish Community, we address the issues that matter most to our community in our work with local officials, state and federal lawmakers and the media. When incidents directly impact our community, we respond by organizing a coordinated response, engaging media, demanding action and ensuring that our voice is heard and acted upon. Our advocacy includes:
- Educating elected officials and other leaders about key issues including antisemitism, Isreal and communal security
- Serving as the voice of Jewish Detroit in Lansing and Washington, D.C.
- Speaking out with clarity and force to local media
- Mobilizing communal advocacy in response t
Counter Antisemitism
As antisemitism, including violent attacks on Jewish communities across the United States, continues to rise, the Community Relations Department is focused on countering antisemitism and standing up for the Jewish Community in metro Detroit. We do this through:
- Direct advocacy with local, state and federal lawmakers
- Workshops and other programming supporting local activism
- Educational programming with our non-Jewish neighbors
- Partnerships with other local organizations focused on combating antisemitism
- Initiatives with K-12 schools and parents to address antisemitism
Additional resources to counter antisemitism are available here.
Staff
David Kurzmann, Senior Director, Community Affairs
Erin Cavataro, Director of Community Relations
