6 January 17 • 2019 jn The Jewish News aspires to communicate news and opinion that’ s useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. It strives to refl ect the full range of diverse viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continuity. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, caring, enjoyable work environment that encourages creativity and innovation. We acknowledge our role as a responsible, responsive member of the community. Being competitive, we must always strive to be the most respected, outstanding Jewish community publication in the nation. Our rewards are informed, educated readers, very satisfi ed advertisers, contented employees and profi table growth. To make a donation to the DETROIT JEWISH NEWS FOUNDATION go to the website www.djnfoundation.org The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275-520) is published every Thursday at 29200 Northwestern Highway, #110, Southfield, Michigan. 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While gov- ernment officials have implemented programs to help residents with overdue water bills, more than 17,000 households were at risk of shut-off in 2018 — a recurring problem each year. We have adopted the following statement and will seek meetings with city of Detroit and state of Michigan officials to encourage lasting solu- tions to ensure water for all and transparency about water shut-offs. In addition, we have designated the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday week- end as Water Justice Weekend. We are asking religious leaders individually and through their judicatories to preach about water rights and help their congregations understand why this is a major moral concern for our communities. STATEMENT OF FAITH LEADERS Water plays a pivotal role in our various religious communities and congregations. We mention water in our prayers. We use water in our rit- uals. We find water in our Scriptures, where water is more than a meta- phor for God’ s loving kindness, but a promise made to people living in places where water was scarce and precious. Water makes life possible. Water is essential to human flour- ishing and human dignity. In 2010, the General Assembly of the United Nations rightfully declared that “the right to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation” is “a right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life and all human rights” (UN Res. 64/292, art. 1). This fundamental human right resonates with all our sacred teachings. As religious leaders, we live under a Divine obligation to speak on behalf of those who do not have access to water. We bear responsibility to lead by word and action in calling for policies that are just and equitable. We are called to work with those of good will for water practices that are environmentally sustainable. We are called to give water to those who are thirsty. In Metropolitan Detroit, thou- sands face the threat of losing access to water due to financial hardships stemming from a lack of meaning- ful employment. Many are forced to pay rates they cannot afford, and many bear the burden of liv- ing with a sanitation system that is unreliable, unsustainable and out of date. Finally, many cannot take advantage of the assistance pro- grams the Detroit Water and Sewage Department has established to miti- gate their plight. Our elected officials must there- fore address the essential role water and its affordability play in the flourishing of Michigan residents and communities. We are writing to encourage equitable and creative solutions to help low-income and vulnerable persons have access to clean and safe water. We, the religious leaders of con- gregations throughout Metro Detroit, write with one voice to urge all citi- zens to support our civil officials as they search for ways to reduce the barriers to clean and safe water for all. We also pledge to continue to listen to the needs of the poor and to work for meaningful change in the provision of, and access to, clean and safe water for all. Finally, we pledge to work collaboratively whenever we can to promote the common good and build the beloved community. ■ Jewish members of the Religious Leaders Forum of Metropolitan Detroit include Rabbi Joshua Bennett, Temple Israel; Rabbi Aaron Bergman, president, Michigan Board of Rabbis, senior rabbi, Adat Shalom Synagogue; Rabbi Marla Hornsten, Temple Israel; Rabbi Harold Loss, Temple Israel; Rabbi Jason Miller, director, Kosher Michigan; Rabbi Mark Miller, senior rabbi, Temple Beth El; Rabbi Michael Moskowitz, Temple Shir Shalom; and Rabbi Steven Rubenstein, Congregation Beth Ahm. Additional local Jewish clergy who support the statement about water rights include Rabbi Edut Dorit, president, Detroit Interfaith Outreach Network, and Rabbis Arianna Gordon, Jennifer Kaluzny, Jennifer Lader and Paul Yedwab, all of Temple Israel. Th e voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over mighty waters. — PSALM 29:3 Religious Leaders Forum of Metropolitan Detroit