Editor's Letter

jarc

wwwjarc.org

Activism 101

A

ctivism_ even the word exudes energy. You feel its
current just saying it. It means the practice of vigor-
ous action, with commitment, in pursuit of a cause.
Sharpening this definition, activist Zina Kramer of
Bloomfield Township says an activist is someone who pas-
sionately strives to elevate the landscape of our lives.
"Activism involves intentional action to bring social or
political change," says Kramer, a marketing consultant and
public relations professional whose
inspiring good will has helped make
Michigan a better place to live.
Kramer's choice as 2009 Activist of
the Year — as selected by the Jewish
/ = Community Relations Council, Detroit
Jewry's public affairs voice — is well
deserved. She understands the con-
sequences of not participating in a
vibrant, multicultural democracy.
Kramer was born to Holocaust sur-
vivors in Kovno, Lithuania, just months
after liberation. She spent time in a
displaced persons camp in Germany before the family moved
to Detroit, where she grew up and later earned a bachelor's
degree and a secondary teaching certificate from Wayne State
University. After teaching for five years in Bloomfield Hills, she
teamed up with political activist, educator and former state
senator Doug Ross. Under Ross' tutelage, she was a consumer
reporter for the Michigan Citizens Lobby and co-director of the
state senator's district office. She served Gov. Jim Blanchard as a
staff member of his Project Self Reliance initiative and as mar-
keting manager for the Michigan Department of Commerce.
In 1987, Kramer founded Events Marketing;
she remains president of the Bloomfield Hills
firm. She and Michael, her husband of 40 years,
have three children and two grandchildren.
Her new children's book, Hugging Grandma,
explains behavioral changes experienced by
loved ones with Alzheimer's.
Kramer's current local board work involves
the Detroit Institute for Children, Starfish
Family Services, Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy
Network and Public School Academies Detroit.
She previously served the Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit, Charles H. Wright
Museum of African American History, Jewish
Activist Zi
Home & Aging Services and Wayne State
University-College of Urban, Labor and Metropolitan Affairs.

Yes, Michigan
It's not hard to be an activist in Michigan, which has no short-
age of white-hot concerns or involved citizens. But you must
want to do it. You must want to fight battles to bring change and
innovation to our schools; like Doug Ross, founder and super-
intendent of University Preparatory Academy, a Detroit charter
school, has done. You must want to drive political agendas that
advocate on behalf of the vulnerable parts of our population.
I love how Kramer describes Michigan's penchant for giving:
"It's easy to be an activist in a community that takes its philan-
thropic support seriously, where volunteerism has stature, where
people give of both their time and their money to help those who
cannot take care of their own needs — and to provide that help
and maintain the integrity of those who are faced with challenges:"
From corporations to small companies, from philanthropists to
small givers, this state is blessed with people striving to curtail the
effects of our ravaged economy. Consider the activists who intro-

duce our kids to social programs, revere our elderly and demand
medical reform. Whether it's feeding the hungry, assisting with
housing, treating the sick, protecting the environment or battling
job cuts, we're a state that cares. We'll rise stronger thanks to the
spirit of Michiganians, no matter how trying the times.

A Rising Crescendo
Zina Kramer told the 200 people attending the May 26 JCRC
event honoring her, "Activists work with our young people to
give them an educated and loving beginning — and to have
the confidence of a better tomorrow that makes them want to
work hard today."
She also talked about cultivating good, young political can-
didates, a better business climate, entrepreneurial thinking
and a positive attitude about what can be accomplished.
"The only way to make our community better:' she said, "is
to stay involved, be vigilant, attempt to make positive changes
and commit to be an activist each in our own way"
Kramer issued this important call to arms: "Whether par-
ticipation is defined by casting a vote at the ballot box or by
working on a candidate's campaign or participating in the
number of important nonprofits throughout the area, partici-
pation not only makes for a better community, but also a bet-
ter sense of self-worth:'
Well put, Zina!

Campus Foment
While on the topic of activism, there's another trigger of par-
ticular importance to the Jewish community. I wish more Jews
were more aware of the festering hatred on higher-education
campuses. Let's remember: Well-orchestrated anti-Israel events
— many well publicized — continue to misin-
form students and distort Israel's image. Growing
anti-Semitism doesn't help.
The counterbalance is vigilant pro-Zionist
activism. That means supporting Israel's right
to exist as a secure, sovereign state — and hav-
ing the facts to discredit anti-Israel rhetoric. It
doesn't necessarily mean giving blanket sup-
port to everything the Israeli government does.
We live in a free society. But calls that emanate
on campuses of publicly funded universities for
Israel's destruction must never go unchallenged;
to do so gives the agitators undue credence. I
applaud the Jewish students and organizations
responding to this outrage. Clearly, more of them
now feel confident enough to test the wild theories, false
assumptions and vicious innuendo flung at Israel.
American campuses should be a town square for signifi-
cant issues affecting the world order. But Jewish activists who
believe in what America represents and who have gateways to
campus strife must confront the anti-Israel propaganda infil-
trating the passions of our young people — our future lead-
ers. Why should non-Jews step up if we Jews don't?
The campus forces inciting anti-Israel/anti-Jewish senti-
ment and indoctrinating the students will grow bolder if we
Jews don't temper them via vigorous, peaceful protest that not
only debunks the lies, but also inspires fresh thinking.

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