JULY 15 • 2021 | 25
H
azon, the largest faith-
based environmental
organization in the U.S.,
and Pearlstone, one of the largest
Jewish retreat centers and Jewish
outdoor education sites in North
America, announced their boards
of directors have unanimously
approved a proposal to merge the
two organizations.
Together they are launching
a new organization that will
catalyze the JOFEE movement
(Jewish Outdoor Food Farming
& Environmental Education) and
the field of Jewish retreating for
years to come.
The new national organiza-
tion will be called Hazon, with
Pearlstone serving as national
headquarters based in Baltimore
and with offices in New York and
additional major impact hubs at
Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat
Center in Connecticut and
Hazon in Detroit.
Both Pearlstone and Hazon
have struck a deep chord engag-
ing young children to senior
citizens in immersive experiences
integrating Jewish wisdom and
inspiration, food and farm, song
and spirit, community, sustain-
ability and justice. The shared
mission is to lead a transforma-
tive movement deeply weaving
sustainability into the fabric of
Jewish life.
Through its many programs
and strategic partnerships across
the U.S. and in Israel, Hazon and
Pearlstone will catalyze significant
culture change and multiply their
impact locally, nationally and
globally.
Hazon Detroit is a significant
part of Hazon, and the new
leadership team — who are
based in Baltimore — are excited
to explore the programmatic
opportunities that arise from the
similarities between Detroit and
Baltimore.
Jakir Manela,
new CEO of Hazon,
said, “These are two
great cities, with
two strong Jewish
communities, two
strong federations
— and a slew of challenges on
the ground — that Hazon Detroit
and Pearlstone are addressing.
I’m excited to work with Wren
Hack and her team, and I plan
to be in Detroit in the fall. I
hope that we can apply in the
Baltimore area some of the work
of Hazon Detroit — and that we
can offer to Hazon Detroit some
of the things we’ve been doing in
Baltimore and in the Chesapeake
Bay.
”
Wren Hack, director of Hazon
Detroit, added,
“I’m excited about
the possibilities
of this merger.
And I’m especially
delighted to see that
Pearlstone’s work,
in providing food
to people in need
during COVID so closely paral-
lels what we’ve done these last 15
months.
”
The merger is not premised
on any job losses and it believes
the combined entity will be more
impactful.
The first board chair will be
Marina Lewin of New York and
the vice chair will be Aaron Max
of Baltimore. Jakir Manela will
serve as the organization’s inau-
gural CEO, beginning Aug. 1.
Jakir
Manela
JN STAFF
Wren Hack
F
riendship Circle, a non-
profit that supports indi-
viduals with special needs,
has opened registration for its
16th annual Walk4Friendship.
Walk4Friendship is a milelong
family walk that raises crucial
funds and community aware-
ness for Friendship Circle and
the individuals and families the
organization supports. The walk
will be held on Sunday, Aug.
29, at Friendship Circle’s West
Bloomfield campus, located at
6892 W
. Maple Road.
Friendship Circle provides
support to 3,000 individuals
with special needs by providing
recreational, social, educational
and vocational programming.
Fundraisers like Walk4Friendship
are critical for raising funds
and awareness that will enable
Friendship Circle to continue its
mission for many years to come.
This year’s Walk4Friendship
theme is “You Belong.
”
Friendship Circle is dedicated
to creating a supportive com-
munity that provides friendship
to everyone, regardless of their
abilities. The walk will celebrate
the belief that everyone deserves
friendship and belonging. The
theme of “You Belong” represents
the idea that without each of us,
the world is incomplete.
“Inclusion and community
support is a crucial piece of
our mission to nurture and
provide friendship to all people,
regardless of their abilities,” said
Friendship Circle co-founder
Bassie Shemtov. “
After a diffi-
cult year and a half — which
included a heightened aware-
ness of the need to accept and
respect people of all back-
grounds, ethnicities and abili-
ties — we could not be happier
to safely welcome the commu-
nity to join us in supporting
and celebrating each unique
individual who is a part of our
Friendship Circle family.”
Walk4Friendship will begin
with an inspirational opening
ceremony followed by the walk
itself. Following the walk, partic-
ipants will enjoy a post-walk cel-
ebration including food, activi-
ties, entertainment and more.
With support from the com-
munity, Friendship Circle hopes
to reach the fundraising goal
of $500,000. General dona-
tions, as well as donations to
an individual walker or team
of walkers, can be made on the
Walk4Friendship website.
Those interested in walking
for friendship can register for the
event at walk4friendship.com/
Account/Register.
FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE FACEBOOK
Event aids people with special needs.
Friendship Circle’s
Annual Walk is Back
Hazon Merges with
Retreat Centers
JN STAFF