DECEMBER 24 • 2020 | 25
Detroit Jews for Justice Celebrates
Detroit Moratorium on Water Shutoffs
D
etroit Jews for Justice
has long been working
to end water shutoffs in
Detroit, and their efforts came
to fruition Dec. 8, when Detroit
Mayor Mike Duggan announced
a moratorium on water shutoffs
would be extended until the end
of 2022. Duggan also announced
that Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, former
director of the Detroit Health
Department and former candi-
date for governor of Michigan,
will head a group looking into
ways to make the moratorium
permanent.
“We are so glad to see the
city finally stepping in to halt
this inhumane treatment of our
neighbors,” said Rabbi Alana
Alpert, executive director of
Detroit Jews for Justice, in a
statement. “We also know that
to win a water affordability plan
and get real, permanent protec-
tion for Detroiters, we have to
continue to be vigilant.”
DJJ has been working in coa-
lition with the People’s Water
Board, We the People of Detroit,
Brightmoor Connection Food
Pantry and Michigan Welfare
Rights on water justice in Detroit
since 2015.
More than 140,000 Detroit
households had their water and
sewage services shut off between
2014 and 2020. DJJ has been
working to stop “the unconscio-
nable practice of water shutoffs
and to transform the dead-end
system of water payment assis-
tance to one based on income
affordability,” said Lori Lutz,
DJJ Thriving team member and
Water Team leader, in a state-
ment. “This ‘miracle’ is a huge
step (but far from the last) in
that direction.”
Local organizations caution
that a moratorium on water
shutoffs is not enough.
“The DJJ community plans to
continue its work on ensuring
all Detroit residents have access
to water.
“For five years, DJJ has been
involved as an organization,” said
Barry Rubin, DJJ water team
leader and steering committee
member, in the statement. “It
often takes a long-term commit-
ment to make meaningful prog-
ress. I’m proud of this organiza-
tion and of all who participated.
Today we must acknowledge that
the arc of the moral universe can
bend toward justice.”
JN STAFF
Dr. Kleinsmith has joined Midwest Center
for Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery —
Farmington Hills Center.
Dr. Kleinsmith received her bachelor’s degree
from Michigan State University, and her
medical degree from Wayne State University
School of Medicine. Dr. Kleinsmith completed
her residency at Henry Ford Hospital,
where she was Chief Resident.
Dr. Kleinsmith is a
Board Certified Dermatologist.
Welcome!
Dr. Kleinsmith has joined Midwest
Center for Dermatology & Cosmetic
Surgery – Farmington Hills Center
Dr. Kleinsmith received her
bachelor’s degree from Michigan
State University, and her medical
degree from Wayne State University
School of Medicine. Dr. Kleinsmith
completed her dermatology
residency at Henry Ford Hospital,
where she was Chief Resident.
Dr. Kleinsmith
Welcome!
Dr. Kleinsmith has joined Midwest
Center for Dermatology & Cosmetic
Surgery – Farmington Hills Center
Dr. Kleinsmith received her
bachelor’s degree from Michigan
State University, and her medical
degree from Wayne State University
School of Medicine. Dr. Kleinsmith
completed her dermatology
residency at Henry Ford Hospital,
where she was Chief Resident.
Dr. Kleinsmith
Welcome!
Dr. Kleinsmith has joined Midwest
Center for Dermatology & Cosmetic
Surgery – Farmington Hills Center
Dr. Kleinsmith received her
bachelor’s degree from Michigan
State University, and her medical
degree from Wayne State University
School of Medicine. Dr. Kleinsmith
completed her dermatology
residency at Henry Ford Hospital,
where she was Chief Resident.
Dr. Kleinsmith
DJJ
DJJ leaders demonstrate at Campus Martius during Chanukah 2018.