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8

February 16 • 2017

jn

views

commentary

Young Progressive
Jewish Detroiters Unite

T

hree weeks after Donald
Trump won the presidential
election, I received an email;
“Are you angry or concerned after the
election? Looking for something you
can do to make a difference? So are
we.”
One week later, I met with a group
of eight young Jewish women from
Metro Detroit, who, like me, felt the
Faced with a Commander-in-Chief
crushing loss and anxiety following
who appears hell-bent on demoraliz-
Trump’s win.
ing women, it feels particularly pow-
We went around the room to
erful to work with a group of young,
share our post-election thoughts.
professional Jewish women from
Some voiced concern about
Detroit to help create aware-
Trump’s pledge to defund
ness of local issues and work
Planned Parenthood; others
with leaders who need our
worried that his insidious
attention. We plan to educate
depictions of women would
others in the community
set our society back to the
about upcoming local elec-
Stone Age.
tions and organizations that
One sentiment was
are pro-Israel, pro-choice and
unanimous: amidst a sea of
promote progressive values.
Lauren Mondry
Facebook tirades and twitter
We held our first official
rants, we were all in search of
event on the eve of inau-
a positive outlet to share our
guration, Jan. 19, at com-
frustrations, fears and hopes
mittee member Samantha
for the future of our state and
Friedman’s studio, Fuse 45 in
country. Beyond a weekly pity party,
Royal Oak. We heard from a Planned
we wanted to channel these feelings
Parenthood organizer to learn how
to decipher the truths from the false-
into action.
hoods about the program’s work.
Led by Ariella Lis Raviv, Brooke
State Rep. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield,
Bendix and Michal Nodel, we formed
answered questions from our group
JACII Detroit. Another organization,
about his work in Lansing and how
Joint Action Committee for Political
to best let our voices be heard by our
Affairs (“JACPAC”) is a bipartisan
political action committee committed state representatives.
We also spoke to Terry Campbell,
to a pro-Israel platform and a social
regional manager for U.S. Sen. Debbie
agenda that includes reproductive
Stabenow, D-Michigan, about the
choice and separation of religion and
national political climate and how
state. JAC supports U.S. Senate and
we could get involved in the senator’s
House candidates who uphold this
work.
agenda, regardless of their partisan
If you are angry or concerned and
affiliation. JACII Detroit will maintain
the same principles as JACPAC, with a looking to make a difference, JACII is
here. We are small but mighty, and we
focus on a younger demographic.
are looking for more young women
Our decision to partner with
and pro-women men to join our cru-
JACPAC, an organization founded
sade.
on Jewish principles and ideals, felt
For more information, visit our
cathartic and important. President
Trump’s promises of a Muslim registry Facebook page, JACII - Detroit
Chapter, and visit www.jacpac.org to
and extreme immigration measures
learn more about the national chap-
should ring warning bells for anyone
ter. •
familiar with our Jewish history.
The United States served as a safe
Lauren Mondry is a member of the steering
haven for many of our ancestors, and
committee of JACII Detroit. Lauren recently
its open-door policy is the reason
moved from Chicago back to Detroit where she
many of us live in this country today.
is currently a deputy press secretary in Detroit
If a giant wall stood between my
Mayor Mike Duggan’s administration.
great-grandparents and New York
City, my family may not be here today.

