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