metro

Latino Connections

ADL's first Dance Against Hate brings people together across cultures.

A

bout 150 people attended the
Anti-Defamation League's first
annual Dance Against Hate
on Thursday, Aug. 28, at El Kiosko in
Southwest Detroit, including Rashida Tlaib,
state representative from southwest Detroit,
and other local dignitaries. The event was
designed to bring people together from
across cultural borders to reject bigotry and
celebrate diversity through the art of dance.
"The outreach to the Latino community
through this event has led to relationships
that will enable ADL to maintain close ties
with the community including bringing
our educational programs to the schools
in the southwest Detroit neighborhoods,"
said Heidi Budaj, director of ADL Michigan
region.
The proceeds of the event will go toward
bringing ADCs anti-bias and diversity pro-
gram No Place for Hate to southwest Detroit
schools.
The evening featured spectacular Latino
dance showcases as well as group les-
sons and was designed to showcase the
ethnic diversity of Detroit dancers and
educate the larger community on sensi-
tivity and inclusion, said event co-chairs
Roman Golshteyn, Judi Schram and Basim
Abdelnour. "Through the universal art form
of dance, people of all ages, abilities and
cultural backgrounds can communicate and
bond through shared experience," they said.
Performers and entertainers volun-
teered their time to put together an amaz-
ing showcase: including DJ Cisco, Ozzie
Rivera, Consuela Lopez, Randy Alan Fisher,
Mambo Marci Iwrey, David Kat Jackson,
Lucia Lynette Gardner, Edyta Smardz, Adria
Socks, Leticia Steuer, Maribel Vasquez,
Jeff Hite and the BombaRica dancers and
drummers.
"Bringing together the Jewish commu-
nity with the Latinos of southwest Detroit
and salsa dancers for a common cause was
immeasurably enjoyable on so many levels:'
said Mambo Marcy Iwrey.
ADL events manager Jaimee Wine said,
"This is just the beginning of a long-term
relationship with the Latino community.
Months of preparation unrolled before our
eyes as guests were smiling, dancing and
learning the history beyond the dance itself.
"Our goal of bridging communities
through education has been accomplished!
This is the start of real grassroots orga-
nizing, connecting people for a common
interest to celebrate cultural diversity. We
couldn't have asked for anything more:'
Participants had a great time. "I met new
friends and learned from members of the

26 September 11 • 2014

JN

Left: Michigan
regional director
of the ADL Heidi
Budaj of West
Bloomfield speaks to
participants.

Right: Ray Hack, Tara
Forman and Harry
Weaver, all of Detroit,
share a conversation
during the dance.

About 150 came to the Dance Against Hate.

Craig and Karen Casman of Okemos and
Ayelet Kon of Southfield work the reception
table.

southwest Detroit community about their
cultural heritage and dance traditions.
Diverse, respectful, fun and entertaining!
The perfect evening out:' said Jay Hack of
Detroit, ADL board member and president
of the NEXTGen Detroit division of the
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.
Roberta Urbani and John Leon of Grosse
Ile said, "We learned a lot about Latin
American history, culture and dance, and
its African influences and connections with
New York jazz. It was uplifting to be among
such a positive and diverse group of people

Mambo Marci Iwrey of Novi leads the dancers in a lesson.

Jenny Ingratta of Windsor and Tim
Gay of Detroit hug after sharing a
dance.

having fun together:'
Nancy and Sam Simpson of Royal Oak
said, "Great idea to get out of our comfort
zone and enjoy the flavors and hospitality
of other communities. Our hosts were so
welcoming and the evening wonderfully
planned and great fun. I do hope we main-
tain this Latino connection for the good of
both of our communities:'
According to Wine, the most important
part of the evening was not the money
raised, but the partnerships and relation-
ships formed in southwest Detroit and

Judi Schram of Bloomfield Hills talks to
attendees.

within the Latino community. "That is
priceless:' she said.
"This is just the beginning. Next year will
be even bigger and better7
Dance Against Hate was sponsored
by Congress of Communities, El Kiosko,
BombaRica: Cultural and Performing
Arts Education, Energetic Soul, Loretta's
Boutique and Ballroom, Mambo Marci,
Metro Detroit Salsa, YA Salsa, Nuestro
Detroit, Salsa Detroit, Mi Pueblo and vid-
eography by Marlee Shifman.

❑