Community Relations Department
The Jewish Federation of Detroit is the media’s key link to the Detroit Jewish community, serving as the primary resource for print, broadcast and online outlets on topics relating to Israel, Judaism and the local community.
Interfaith Relations
We put great value in creating and maintaining relationships with a variety interfaith parters in the Black, Hindu, Catholic, Muslim, and Chaldean communities
Hindu-Jewish
The Jewish Federation of Detroit has for years had the privilege of building bridges with our interfaith partners in the local Hindu community. The Hindu and Jewish communities have much in common; they have faced similar challenges in the past and share common goals and values. Federation works with our friends in the Hindu community to strengthen this important relationship on behalf of the greater Jewish community.
About the Coalition for Black and Jewish Unity
Launched in February 2018, the Coalition for Black and Jewish Unity was established in partnership with the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity. In 2021, ADL Michigan and the Detroit Urban League have joined as conveners.
Following an increase in hate crimes and discrimination across the country, the Coalition for Black and Jewish Unity was created to promote solidarity between the Jewish communities and Black communities in metropolitan Detroit. Speaking in a singular voice about issues affecting both groups, the Coalition also educates the public as a tool to combat hatred, cultivate relationships, and develop future leaders in the struggle against racism and antisemitism.
Coalition Mission
- Speak out and oppose racism, antisemitism, and other forms of ethnic-based hatred.
- Promote solidarity between the Black community and Jewish community in all their diversity.
- Identify and implement educational and social action advocacy initiatives that serve the cause of fighting racism, antisemitism and ethnic-based hatred.
- Develop programming aimed at younger community members in order to identify and cultivate future leaders of the organization.
Israel advocacy
We work within the Federation system to advocate for Israel – especially in time of war. Click here to get involved:
https://jewishdetroit.org/israel/
https://jewishdetroit.org/antisemitism/
We lend our expertise to universities, local municipalities, members of congress, school districts, and a variety of other community stakeholders
In the Media
The Community Relations department provides a Jewish perspective on events and opinions expressed in the media and act as the community’s clearinghouse for media on Israel and major stories that impact the Jewish community. Additionally, we proactively provide resources, story ideas and are spokespeople on Israel, Jewish Detroit and a broad range of Jewish interests. The Community Relations department produces news releases and coordinates media coverage on important community stories, events and issues and we constantly monitor news outlets in order to ensure fair and accurate coverage and supportive editorial positions. We are also proud to coordinate among area Jewish organizations to facilitate and convene fair coverage for the Jewish community. This includes meeting routinely with top news editors, columnists, reporters and editorial boards to discuss Middle East coverage and Jewish priorities.
Staff
David Kurzmann, Senior Director, Community Affairs
Erin Cavataro, Director of Community Relations
Daniel Bucksbaum, Community Relations Associate
Contact Us
Did you know that the Detroit Jewish community sends more people to Israel on missions than most communities in the country? Every year Federation helps over 1,000 people of all ages from Detroit experience our homeland.
Why go to Israel? Ask anyone who has been to Israel on a mission organized by the Detroit Federation. Most will tell you that their experience was eye-opening, inspiring — even life-changing.
Behind the scenes on every mission from Michigan, there’s a team of extraordinary professionals and community leaders, Israelis and Detroiters — working together to pull itineraries, logistics and memorable events seamlessly together.
Let us help you find the mission that’s right for you. Please contact Jennifer Levine, Director of Israel and Overseas Department, for more information at jlevine@jewishdetroit.org
