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essay

A disorganized court keeps people from getting their
needed remedies, and runs up costs for people who are
already in distress. Karen Geibel is the only candidate
who has had the responsibility of keeping a courtroom
running efficiently.

violence against other people. We all
have felt this brokenness. We feel it
when our hearts harden to the pain of
another community because we believe
they have caused us pain. We feel it
when we become cynical in Jewish
spaces that used to bring us joy and
meaning because they no longer seem
to represent our values.
Rabbi Starr asked, “How could Jews
not put their love for the People of Israel
and the State of Israel above all else?”
He claimed that his voice is one of a
Holocaust survivor and of other perse-
cuted Jews.
Our values were formed on the sto-
ries of our grandparents, too, and we
ask: How do their experiences justify
ignoring the oppression of others?
While past and present anti-Semitism
may cause some to act in isolation and
defensiveness, we know that our Jewish
community cannot flourish in the face
of injustice.
Rabbi Hillel finishes his quote with
“If not now, when?”
We challenge our community lead-
ers to recognize that our generation’s
declining participation in Jewish institu-
tions is not a reflection of disinterest
in Jewish values and ritual; rather, it is
a response to Rabbi Starr’s very senti-
ment.

We cannot continue to participate in
a Judaism that forces us to compromise
our progressive and universal values
or allow its leaders to speak on our
behalf. So, to those of you who felt hurt,
excluded or misrepresented by these
words — we hear you and we are here
for you.
As a part of IfNotNow, we are build-
ing a diverse, vibrant Jewish community
in Detroit that is committed to ritual
and tikkun olam. We are practicing
Jewish traditions like Shabbat and
tashlich in the name of justice and
spirituality. We are joining in song and
prayer with our peers … and find our-
selves humming those Jewish tunes on
the car ride home.
For many of us, it is the first time that
we have been able to bring our whole
selves — queer, gay, straight, trans,
gender non-binary, observant, secular
and more — into a Jewish space where
we feel safe. Most importantly, we are
coming together in a community that
centers on freedom and dignity for all.
We hope you’ll join us.

*

This essay was written by AJ Aaron, Hayley Sakwa,
Rachel Leider, Abby Schottenfels, Rachel Lerman,
Hannah Miller, Ben Meiselman, Molly Mardit,
Geulah Finman and Shoshana Krohner. To join the
movement, visit www.ifnotnowmovement.org.

ETHIOPIAN JEWELRY TO
BE AT TRUNK SHOW

As a Circuit Court Research Attorney for 11 years, Karen
Geibel was known for her keen intellect in helping her
judge make rarely overturned rulings based on the law.

Even the most brilliant attorneys have to adjust from
being an advocate for one side, to being a judge who
must be fair to all sides. Karen Geibel has already filled
that role successfully. She is ready to judge all sides of a
case and deliver justice.

Daniel Sahalo was born in the farm-
ing village of Gaina, Ethiopia. In 1984,
when he was 4, his family decided to
immigrate to Israel with other Jews
fleeing the famine and political unrest.
They sold their belongings and used
the money to help hire a guide to
lead them for eight weeks of walking
barefoot and at night to the border of
Ethiopia and Sudan.
In Israel, Sahalo grew up in a typi-
The jewelry collection is designed and
cal neighborhood. He joined the Israel
made entirely by the school’s students
Defense Forces, served in combat and
and graduates, with all sales revenue
earned the rank of lieutenant.
reinvested in the project.
He earned a degree at Hebrew
A Megemeria Collection
University, the only one in his
trunk show will be held at
family to do so.
Wachler Estate Collection,
Now he is the marketing
162 N. Old Woodward,
and sales manager of the
Birmingham, from 11
Megemeria jewelry collec-
a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct.
tion. Megemeria (“genesis”
27-Saturday, Oct. 29. All net
in Amharic, the language of
Daniel Sahalo
proceeds from jewelry will
Ethiopian Jews) is a socio-
benefit the Megemeria pro-
economic program that pro-
gram for Ethiopian Israelis.
vides tuition-free training to
Earlier this week, Sahalo spoke
Israeli Ethiopians in the art of jewelry
at a Jewish Federation event and at
design, setting and manufacture. The
Rev. Kenneth Flowers’ Bible class in
program was started by Isaac and
Detroit.
Orna Levy, founders of Yvel Jewelry.

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10 October 27 • 2016