Special Report COMING TOGETHER Declaration from page 18 The Jewish declaration is one more urgent call to action. It starts with a mis- sion "to sustain and grow the Jewish community" and the vision "to re-invigorate the business, economic and job-creating climate... especially for those in their 20s, 30s, and 40s so they will want to stay, return or relocate here to live and raise their families." What follows is a snapshot of what the future looks like through the eyes of the young leaders who participated in the drafting of the document; a region where the Jewish com- munity is strong and diverse, close-knit and friendly, a fertile environment for business and entrepreneurs, and a place where there are world-class educational, cultural and recreational opportunities. The declaration concludes with a pledge to take action and lists several things people can do to get involved: become an active s uggested leader, support job creation efforts, collaborate with oth- ers, develop new relationships and hold community leaders accountable. "I hope this declaration will raise awareness that some- thing must change and that for good change to happen we need the sup- port of the entire community,' said Daniel Cherrin, 37, of Huntington Woods. The husband and father of three is an attorney and marketing director, who also served as Detroit's com- munications director and press secretary during Ken Cockrel Jr.'s interim term as mayor (following the infamous text message scandal and resignation of former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick). "I want people to feel empowered to embrace these principles and get involved," Cherrin continued. "We need everyone's involvement if we are to bring positive change to the region." "I know from my conversations that many people would love to move back here if they could find a job." - Rabbi Joseph H. Krakoff cc–, i in meetings with Gov. Granholm that Michigan declare a 2010 Michigan Homestead Act.' Perhaps the Jewish community could do something similar." - Rabbi Paul Yedwab Spreading The Word Now that ifs all down on paper, the next order of business is spreading the word. In recent weeks, the declaration has been shared with a number of community, business and political leaders, including members of the local clergy. Rabbis Joseph H. Krakoff of Congregation Shaarey Zedek of Oakland County, Paul Yedwab of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Rabbi Dannel 20 September 2 • 2010 Schwartz of Temple Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield, Rabbi Aaron Bergman of Adat Shalom Synagogue, Farmington Hills, Rabbi Robert Gamer of Congregation Beth Shalom, Oak Park, Rabbi Elliot Pachter of Congregation B'nai Moshe, West Bloomfield, Rabbi Daniel Syme of Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Township, Rabbi Steven Rubenstein of Congregation Beth Ahm in West Bloomfield and Rabbi Levi Shemtov of the Friendship Circle in West Bloomfield have all seen it and embrace its message. "I think it's a very good start — it is a definite move in the right direction:' Rabbi Krakoff said. "At this point, none of us can afford to sit back and wait for someone else to take a leadership role. All of us who care deeply about our home must step forward." Krakoff, who grew up elsewhere, moved to Southfield more than a decade ago. He and his wife, Susan, have raised their three children here. He says close to 70 percent of the couples he marries move out of town. Krakoff recently traveled to New York and met with a several young professionals to encourage them to move back to Detroit. He and his wife are also trying to help one young family relocate by circulating the husband's resume and working to help him find a job. "I know from my conversations that many people would love to move back here if they could find a job," Krakoff said. `As more and more jobs become available, I'm hopeful we will be successful in bringing people back." Rabbi Yedwab believes it's impor- tant to join forces with Federation in this endeavor and agrees jobs and economic inducements should be the focus. "I've suggested in meetings with Gov. Granholm that Michigan declare a `2010 Michigan Homestead Act; offering land, homes and retail or industrial space that has been turned over to the state to anyone that will improve it over a five- year period," Yedwab explained. "Perhaps the Jewish community could do something similar. We have space available, either in our own build- ings or in the buildings of our philanthropists." Members of the group, joined by a representative of the Ann Arbor Jewish community recently met with Mike Finney, CEO of Ann Arbor Spark, a group that helps attract and grow new businesses, to learn more about what they do and how to bridge Ann Arbor with the rest of the community. There's also been talk of holding a community- wide "town meeting" to get additional feedback. Efforts are currently underway to get more people to sign on and become endorsers of the declaration. "We are using it to cultivate new rela- tionships, build support for our vision and work together to make our community stronger;' Cherrin said. "Let's hope this declaration and the efforts around it can help rally our com- munity," added Horwitz. "Let's use it to take strong and purposeful steps to slow or reverse this downward spiral." ❑ JN Columnist Robin Schwartz, along with her husband, Jon Goldstein, is a signer of the Southeastern Michigan Jewish Declaration. "I want people to feel empowered to embrace these principles and get involved. We need everyone's involve- ment if we are to bring positive change to the region." - Daniel Cherrin Join The Effort! You can read and endorse the Southeastern Michigan Jewish Declaration on the Detroit Jewish News website: thejewishnews.com/declaration. See a related column by Publisher Arthur Horwitz on page 5.